Ive been following this forum since Feb.of this year. 8 of us have chartered a 53' catamaran(Anchor Management) for 9 days.
We all own our own small yachts and are avid boaters. We have added a captain and chef so each of us can enjoy the trip. We have one in our group with Multiple Sclerosis. She walks with a cane but gets along at her own pace quite well and realizes there will be some restrictions to her travel. What can we do once we land at STT to help accommodate her? Any tips on getting around the airport?to the ferry? around town? Any references that might hook us up on something special to include her in? I have thought about the jeep trip on Anegada so she can ride and see alot of scenery .


also thank you so much for all the tips and advice given.
we have packed a cooler of meat and hope for the best! we have a direct flight from Atlanta so hopefully it wont get lost.

Lakegirl480
Chattanooga,TN

our boat flag is packed "Island Cove Yacht Club" so if
you see us WAVE! but we completely understand if you choose not to recognize us at all....we're a rowdy bunch when sipping.

Great to you and your crew for having a person with limitations. While going to ferry and especially when transferring to boat/ dingy, have 1 person ahead and one below to assist. Sorta the "dingy captain" philosophy. More assistance needed underway if the MS person is changing locations on the boat. At anchorage, less of an issue but you will see how comfortable and agile MS is on boat.
In this case, "An ounce of prevention is much better than a pound of cure" (i.e. falls are BAD). Have fun!

Three years ago my wife was having to use crutches and the staff of every ferry went out of their way to make sure she boarded very safely. BTW my Father In Law had MS so we know all too well the limitations. Having to walk with a cane is no big deal. You won't have any big problems...enjoy <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We sailed with my parents, aunt and uncle a couple years ago. They were all in their upper 70's, some with knee issues. The most challenging events for them were getting on and off the boat when at a dock and getting to from dinghy to boat.

Dock tips: Once we placed a set of dock steps on the dock it made it much easier for them. Ask the harbor master for the steps at each marina you visit.

Dinghy tips: We learned the best method was to bring th side of the dinghy against the Swim platform. Having them sit on the platform and then just scoot their butt from platform to dinghy tube worked well. Much better than trying to step up or down into or out of dinghy. We called it "[censored] to aft". Think thru the situation if they fall into the water when boarding the dinghy and consider having them wear PFD.

Like deepcut wrote , hats off to you and your crew.

Tony

Welome to TTOL. I know your group will do very well down there and if you are HALF as rowdy as you are on C dock, you are <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> not having fun:) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />