Disabled Camping & Ed Baines

TV chef, Ed Baines, has revealed a passion for ‘wild camping’.

The Best of British author and TV regular, who also owns Soho based restaurant Randall & Aubin, has admitted that he loves escaping the fast paced kitchen environment by kicking back and relaxing in the wilderness.

Says Ed; “Every so often I feel a need to go camping. I love being in the middle of nowhere, enjoying the vastness of the countryside – it is very grounding. 

“Top items on my list are a rope, blow torch and a catapult.  I also think it’s essential to camp with a dustpan and brush – you need a tidy and ship-shape camp at all times.

“I have been known to wild camp though – no tent, just a sleeping bag and a few essentials. You have to pick the right weather for that though,” he adds.

Wheelchair users may feel that the outdoor life is a distant dream but click here for tips to make disabled camping possible!

 Ed Baines will be cooking his favourite campsite dinners live at The Motorhome& Caravan Show at the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday 15^th – Friday 18^th October. The Show is the national launch pad for all the new 2014 models of caravans, motorhomes, campervans, conversions and outdoor living accessories and runs from Tues 15^th to Sunday 20^th October.  Advance ticket cost from £7** and are available at www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk

 

 

 

TOWIE- Vegas for wheelchair users!

Are you already hooked on the latest run of The Only Way Is Essex but even more excited that it is in Las Vegas?

I went to the gambling mecca a few years ago and am breaking the Vegas rule by telling you what did happen!

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Gambling Mecca of the world, Las Vegas is an adult’s playground. Open 24/7,  if you are over 21, everything is accessible.

There is plenty to do in ‘Sin City’, whether you want to shop, visit the Hoover Dam or Grand Canyon, gamble, party or even get married!

All shopping malls have disabled access and every casino has wheelchair accessible slot machines and gaming tables.

Shows are also accessible but need to be booked in advance.

The two most visited areas in Las Vegas are The Strip and Downtown. The Strip consists of the big hotels and casinos while Downtown is home to the ‘original’ hotels and ‘The Freemont Street Experience,’ a spectacular hourly light show.  

Vegas have more accessible hotel rooms than any other city in America. There is a wide variety of adaptations, such as, roll-in showers, transfer showers and baths with built-in or portable seats. Most of the hotels also have lifts in their swimming pools.

I stayed at the family friendly Excalibur Hotel , which I highly recommend, as it was perfectly located and good for wheelchair usage. There is a wide variety of hotels to choose from however, with a broad price range.

Everything is big, so far apart, in the city and scooters are available for hire in every hotel.

Most, if not all, hotels and casinos will have wheelchair access so add any of your own recommendations here!

The vanishing wheelchair | Mountain Xpress | Asheville, NC

The vanishing wheelchair | Mountain Xpress | Asheville, NC

What would your magic power be?

Book Characters In A Wheelchair

Shocking news came out today showing that children feel  'too embarrassed to read in front of friends'. The research also found the number of children who read outside class in their own time is falling, while some say their parents are not bothered if they read, according to a new study by the National Literacy Trust.

Fictional books are normally used as a form of escapism and may have characters the reader can relate to but how many characters use a wheelchair? Would you prefer your favourite book to have disabled, main, character?

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/40475.Wheelchair_Characters_

Keeping a Wheelchair Ramp Safe during Rain | DoItYourself.com

Keeping a Wheelchair Ramp Safe during Rain | DoItYourself.com

Add your wheelchair rain tips here!

London Theatre In A Wheelchair

Prince Harry has become the latest famous face to be spotted at hit show The Book of Mormon. Created by South Park writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez, the show has become a surprise success.

If you are not a theatre goer but love South Park or just want to see what all the fuss is about, don’t assume it is not accessible for a wheelchair user. Most theatres have been adapted with both transfer seats or wheelchair spaces and most have some form of level access.

Click here to see the theatre access for the show you want to see!

Enjoy London Film Festival In A Wheelchair!

With the 57th London Film Festival kicking off next week (9 October) and to celebrate the recent launch of John Ridley’s Jimi Hendrix biopic, All Is By My Side, movie fans can spend a weekend like a star in the lavish Hendrix Suite at The Cumberland Hotel.

Take inspiration from the film about the life of Hendrix, which was showcased at the Toronto Film Festival, and stay in the especially themed suite at the West End hotel – also the last known address of the rock legend. Boasting vintage fabrics, wild murals and limited edition furniture, the Hendrix Suite is the perfect place to spend a memorable break in the city. Stays in the suite start from £359 per night based on two people sharing, including VAT and breakfast.

 

Unfortunately, the suite has not been adapted but you can still have the hotel experience. The Cumberland has 3 rooms designated for disabled guests on the 1st floor with wheel-in shower. The widths of doors to the rooms are 880mm and The beds are 500-560mm high to the top of the mattress.

Showers have a fold down shower seat 450mm high and the toilet has a fold down rail on the transfer side.

Movie buffs can book one of many BFI screenings taking place at venues across London for the 12-day festival to celebrate cinema.