The stumbling block

We’ve hit the stumbling block.

On Monday we popped along to the travel agency to book our Austrian holiday. First we tried to find the Vienna hotel. Eventually we found a hotel, our third choice, that was wheelchair accessible. The others all reckoned they had steps despite being 4-5 star hotels. But, to be realistic, I had confirmed the third one did have access so that’s the one I’d really pinned my hopes on.

Next came the one in the countryside, the one where we hoped to spend most of our time. We’d chosen a beautiful looking hotel on a lakeside. We were told once more that it was not accessible. I pointed out that according to Tripadvisor it was. They came back with yes there was a ramp into it, a lift, wide enough doors, however there was no disabled bedroom with grabrails etc. I then asked if it was possible to put a chair/stool in the shower. I could possible use the seat to push myself up, especially if the Fox stood available to help me up if needed. They didn’t know. They would have to e-mail the hotel. So now we wait to see.

Meanwhile we were asked if we had a second choice hotel, which we did. That hotel they said was closed at the time we want to go away. So why advertise & price it at that time in the brochure, we wondered. By this time we can’t help wondering if what they really meant was they didn’t want to have to deal with people with mobility problems but daren’t say it outright.

What amazes me is that it costs so little to put a few grabrails in a bath/shower room. Hotels would soon recoup the outlay. Many older people, even those not disabled, appreciate something to hold on to when they reach down to wash feet for example. A seat can easily fold up, or be removed when not in use, available on request. I find it particularly amazing when you consider this is a hotel in an area renowned for its skiing. One thing I associate with skiing is broken bones. What do those people do? As soon as they leave the hospital all plastered & pinned up, do they return home rather than complete their holiday as they can no longer get into their hotel & have a shower?

It is so refreshing to deal with a company like the one we’re going to France with. Richard, the usual man I deal with, seems to positively relish the challenge of sorting out somewhere suitable for me. And it is not a company specialising in holidays for disabled people.

Some of the excitement of a holiday in a new country for us, Austria, is wearing off. We await the answer to their e-mail. We’re not expecting much luck.