[johnvb]

Hi,
Its got to that time of year again, when we are trying to decide what to do with the couple of weeks I will take off work this summer. The problem is, we can't work out what to do. Last year we went on a typical mediterranean beach holiday, but to be honest it wasn't that successful from our point of view. The kids enjoyed it but they were too young to notice the "disablist" behaviour of the other parents at the resort, for example when they bought all the children at the swimming pool an ice cream except ours! The children didn't mix that well presumably because of difficulties with communication, but little occurrences like these can really spoil your day.

So we've decided we don't really want to be surrounded by mainstream families this time, which is quite restricting. We don't necessarily need specialist disabled facilities, but at least somewhere where we are going to find plenty of space to be together as a family. Not only that but we need somewhere easy to get around due to restricted mobility, with full self catering facilities including a proper kitchen and a supermarket nearby (as hotels and restaurants can rarely cater for our sons dietary requirements). As an alternative to a beach holiday we've been thinking of a mountain based holiday but have no idea where to go.

So, if anyone has any tips on where to take a family with a six year old and a 4 year old to "get away from it all" please, please let us know!

John

[Amum]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum - I just came across it by chance!

I've got 2 children aged 12 and 15. Both have ASD, Tourette syndrome, OCD, ADHD etc.

In replying to your post, I have no idea what particular disabilities your family members have. However, we have found mobile-home holidays on French Campsites fantastic. We've been to Brittany 4x, The Vendee4x and Languedoc 1x (but booked already for next year). Each time we have been we have met other families with children with ASD, ADHD or Tourettes. I think it is the relative freedom and unpretentiousness of this holiday that suits our children so well. The mobile homes are NOT wheelchair friendly, so if accessibility is a problem this would not be for you, but some sites have special wheelchair adapted chalets....

Worth a thought, I think?

Amum

[johnvb]

Welcome to the forum!

Definitely worth a thought. Our kids do have mobility problems and might struggle with a mobile home, but I like the sound of a chalet or similar. Sounds like a trip to the travel agent is on the cards! 

[johnvb]

Going back to the advice given in the earlier post, we've decided to go for a Gite (cottage) in Brittany. This way we've got some peace and quite, a nice garden to ourselves, and the option of driving down to a seaside resort when we want to. Looking forward to it.

The holiday site we used was www.cheznous.com. When you do a search on this site you can tick the special needs box to only find accessible accomodation. Also, once you've booked a cottage you can book a discounted ferry crossing through them which will save a lot of money.

John

[Speeds]

My husband is in a wheelchair and I have my little boy with PWS - as well as two weimaramer dogs.  We bought a holiday home in Cornwall so we have somewhere to go - although we do not venture there in Summer as too busy.

We tend to look around at places and use a lot of the holidays advertised for Spinally Injured people.  Even if you are not spinally injured/wheelchair bound, the holidays are accessible and so having children or adults with additional needs is not an OMG but just accepted.

[Speeds]

Just realised that I have not actually posted the link to our house.

I have just posted something similar on Pixie's forum about this.

If anyone would like to use our holiday home out of season then please shout.  We make a nominal charge for laundry, cleaner and management but we are open to people using it for a short get away as we know how difficult it is to get away.

We also have an adapted home here and if we are away on holiday then we are happy to lend out our house.  It is no palace but it does have some facilities for disabled people (as hubby is spinally injured) and a lovely adapted garden including raised herb beds which are not only fun for wheelchair users to go around but also as they are full fo herbs they are very scented and tactile.

Here is the link to Cornwall - there are some piccies.

http://www.cornishhorizons.co.uk/entwood_self_catering_padstow_disabled_facilities.htm

[johnvb]

Thanks for the offer Speeds, the house looks really nice.
John

[Nikki]

Hi, our family have just returned from a long weekend at Creiff Hydro in Perthshire.  I have a 6 year old son, a 3 year old daughter and a 5 month old baby.  My daughter has global developmental delay.  She has very little understanding, occasional seizures and mobility problems.  Much as I love my children, I think it's important for us parents to have a wee break as well to recharge our batteries!  This is the only place that I have come accross where the children's club are interested in taking a child with special needs. We were able to arrange 1 to 1 care for N in a great club that the kids looked forward to going to, while we had a romantic meal on Sat night.  The staff were lovely and made a real fuss of N when she arrived.  None of her meds ands conditions seemed to phase them in the slightest!  Recommended for a short break.   

PS  They also do riding for the disabled

[scipilot]

Probably a though you may of had but if not have you considered centreparcs? i'm a w/chair user and have tried one and enjoyed it but them i'm not into sport etc, just chilling out, nice cabin and a roaring fire.

Just something to throw in the pot for you. 

[scipilot]

P.S my searching found this http://www.ineedaholidaytoo.com/

Site quotes :
Wheelchair accessible holidays in France. Enabling the disabled traveller to holiday in France in style and comfort.

[Nikki]

Hi Everyone

We love centerparcs too.  We've booked to go there May Bank holiday.  This will be the fourth time we've been to Whinfell Forest (Oasis).  Would highly recommend Italian restaurant, big pool with flumes, spa(adults only) and generally taking it easy.  We live just south of Glasgow and can drive to the Lake District in about 1 1/2 hours.

http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover/index.jsp

If you've got preschoolers, you can book outside of school holidays and get it for much cheaper.

Nikki

[Jeannie]

hello everyone
Just back from the Lake District- we bought a static a year go and it was the BEST thing we ever did. We are up there very weekend, the walks we have done are fab, wheelchair and 6 yr old! Where there is a will!!!Theres a wheelchair!!! We do need more equipment to make Lilie more comfy but what a bolt hole.
Holidays we zoom off  to a private villa, expensive but you have to scrape up as many good memories as you can while you are able to. So my top tip is that- anywhere in a private villa, pennies willing. Your own privacy and freedom, no one staring or making comments behind hands, no apologies at meal times for the mess, no apologies in the morning for keeping everyone awake with a frustrated child,and as long as yuo don't mind not being waited on hand and foot.....go for it.
Jeannie