Camping and The Outdoors May Finally Be Accessible To All: A Guide To Adaptive Camping, By Jason Hahr

 I was born country, and that's what I'll always be. This old Alabama song lyric came to mind while I was researching for this article. For anyone who knows me, it's no secret that I love country music. Still, I prefer city creature comforts over country life, despite my claims to be a country enthusiast. However, my research for this article has given me hope that outdoor spaces may become more accessible to me and others like me in the future. I know nature is going to become less hilly and treacherous, but I mean that camping outdoors may be more accessible than I had previously thought. The rest of this article will outline some key considerations for making your outdoor adventure accessible.

I live in Florida, where we're known for Disney World and election headaches, but we also have some pretty cool places. However, when you are a wheelchair user like me, camping is not usually high on your priority list. In an article that was published late last September in New Mobility magazine, the author provided handy tips for wheelchair users who want to experience the great outdoors from more than just their television. All individuals interviewed for the article had some form of spinal cord injury. I will link the article at the bottom of this piece for those readers interested in more details. What I did learn from the article was that there are several key factors to consider for planning your outdoor adventure. The author suggested contacting the campsite where you are planning to stay and asking if it is possible to exchange photos of the site, as it may not appear the way it does on their website if inclement weather has occurred. It also suggests calling ahead because what one person deems accessible may not be accessible for all. For example, a ramp might be in place once you enter the campsite, but the road or path to get to the ramp may be less than ideal.

Since the article focused a lot on paralyzed individuals, it was easier than I thought to relate to because I require nearly 100% assistance when it comes to my care. Although I do not use catheters, I can see how a version of a condom catheter may be helpful when camping. For those who are unaware, a condom catheter functions like one would assume. It makes the normal catheterization process less cumbersome. Therefore, for those who can use them, it would be ideal for someone who is outdoors. Whether you use them or not, you are probably tired of reading about them. I will move on to my next point.

Whether you choose to “rough it" like the individuals from the article I referenced or partake in the modern form of backyard camping, I hope that, as people with disabilities, we can all agree that even though everywhere is not accessible, there is a great big world out there, so go see it. Till next time, your friendly neighborhood outdoor enthusiast in training super advocate, Jay

Resources:

https://newmobility.com/from-roughing-it-to-glamping-adaptive-camping-for-wheelchair-users/