On Our Own Tracks

What adaptive equipment helps me in Summer

Summer, isn’t it every one’s favourite time of the year?… What’s summer without the beach? As a wheelchair user I always look for opportunities near the beach that are accessible. I’ve been lucky enough to have amazing support workers that are willing to travel near and far to beaches that have free wheelchair hire. Last year I went on a holiday to Wollongong, which the local council have a programme where wheelchairs are for hire at no cost at most of there beaches, all it takes is an online booking, a couple of emails to discuss your ability to transfer into a beach wheelchair so they can best assist you on the day to have a smooth experience. 

I like to capture a moment when my disability doesn’t define me by taking a couple of pictures and sharing them with friends and family. And what’s a day at the beach without fish and chips I often will read reviews online and make sure the venue is wheelchair accessible and if it’s not available my support worker will ring ahead and make sure 

Public transport isn’t always smooth sailing and needs to be done with effective communication. For example the railway staff to have the ramps at the right end point. Safety is always a concern of mine with catching public transport, however metro services and light rail do not require ramps and have wheelchair access points, I look forward to going to the city more and trying different foods and experiences by using the new metro line from Tallawong to Sydenham and will see if it’s accessible to Luna park.

I’m not much of a thrill taker and I don’t seek it out but It would be nice to be near the harbour to have carnival food and play some carnival games in the sunshine.

I have a adaptive wheelchair that comes apart that I can take in the car and put back together, it has an electric function that allows me to zoom around hassle free and I find that it doesn’t limit me all the places I wish to go. So my top tips for the summer are to be sun safe, wear sunscreen, to think outside the box and open yourself to new opportunities and experiences and to research and read reviews. Tik tok and instagram are amazing for this and take a couple selfies along the way. 

Love Chloe