Travel - wheelchair rental

[GO2020]

I have three fairly intense trips coming up this year. Toronto with a bunch of friends to celebrate 50th birthdays - museums, shows, ball game, CN tower. A whole 5 day whirlwind. London, England to visit my niece and then perhaps Utah in the fall with my family. Fun times ahead for sure but my stiffness and stamina is taking my excitement away. My OT suggested a power chair rental. Has anyone done this? Do I rent here and fly with it or rent in the destination? Scooter or power chair which is easier to maneuver -mostly in public restrooms as constipation and spastic bladder is making me make frequent panicked stops - should I wear protective underwear on the plane? Is this something most people on her do?. First trip is Toronto. Hotel will be in the area where most of the activities are planned, with using transit. As well, I will be flying alone to Toronto, if I am renting mobility equipment is it easier to be dropped off at the hotel or airport? Thanks in advance.

 

[Nikki J]

We rented a scooter one trip and a power chair another. In both cases we had delivery to the hotel. It worked well for us. This is assuming you can do the transfer to hotel ok.

For London which is the only place on your list I have experience we had no trouble finding paratransit taxis. I also like to stay at the Heathrow sofitel by terminal 5 for the first night. If you are flying into 5 it is really close. Of course if your niece is meeting you that would be even better!

If you are more comfortable with protective underwear go for it.

In the US there is a program called tsa cares where with advance notice you can get an escort through security if you have a sensitive issue ( like maybe the underwear?)