Decisions/cross roads

[danielgr]

I don't post many times on here, but I'm at a crossroad in my life that no one really understands. I'm hoping someone that has to deal with life in a wheelchair here can help me in my decision. I'm a para that has been in a chair for a little over 10years now. I have been working for about 9 years. I live alone and family is about 1 and half hours away. I do deal with pain in my back, some days are worse then others. I take Oxy for the pain when it starts to bother me. The job I have now is in a cube where I handle parts request from dealers nation wide. My hours are 10am to 7pm.
The crossroad I'm at right now is that I have another Job offer from another Automotive company. This job will require me to travel 70% of the time. I will have to stay in hotels 3-4 days at a time. Might have to take flights across the country. The problem I have is my bowel program. I have to be able to reach around and dig the sh** out some times. That is the hard part that no one really understands. I have a commode that I use to do the reach around, but hotels don't have them. I'm thinking of buying one to take with me if I do take this job. I'm just nervous about this part. I'm not to excited about flying either because of being in a wheelchair. The new job will be better pay and ALOT better benfits. I just don't know if I should quit this easy job and jump into a new job that might cause more stress. Who has travel here and what do you do about your bowel program? Any advise would help and how to handle the traveling thing would be great also.

Thanks for you time. Dan

[justadildo]

one word... : colostomy

[addiesue]

I know hotels can be a pain when traveling. I think I'd do it though. I'd love to travel and if work was paying me then I'd do it. Wonder if they'd help get you some type of travel bench you could take with you?

[lynnifer]

Sorry if this is a dumb question - have you tried transferring to the toilet and reaching through the front? I did that for many years ...

As far as the travel goes, there could be good/bad. If you get hit with a pressure sore - it could go south quickly. On the other hand, constantly moving might be a good thing!

Maybe you could discuss with your present employer about a trial period, if you're on good terms?

[rebajane]

Go for it!!!! Don't let your sci limit you in your endeavors. I have traveled, with hotel rooms, and have not found a problem with the bathroom faciilities. Once, visiting friends, at their apt. with unaccessible bathroom, I was able ato use the local Wal-mart, accessible bathroom!!! You will find solutions to all problems here on this sight. Good luck!!!

[Liz321]

go for it
you can always go back

[danielgr]

Thank you all for helping in this decision. Liz, if I quit this job, there is no going back. What about the flying. What do you do when you get to where you are flying too. Is flying as bad as I have heard about? Do the rent a car companies have problems when the disable renting cars? I would have to take my porable hand controls with me of couse. I have been looking online today and I found some fold away commodes, I think that will be what I will have to do. I do like the ideas you guys and gals said also. I will try reaching between my legs at home and see how easy that is.
The other thing is that I will have to move closer to my new job, I think the company pays for the relocation, so that will help. Finding handicap accessible apartments are hard to find the in NJ area. They are out there, but not that many. The cost of the apartments are between $1100-1600 each. Maybe I should get into renting apartments in Jersey.

Thanks again for all of your advise. If anyone else has ideas or experience in traveling, I would love to hear about it.

[Tiger Racing]

Originally Posted by danielgr

Is flying as bad as I have heard about?

No! It's really not that big a deal if you can wheel yourself around and transfer alone. I travel by myself all the time and I almost always have to change planes at least once. I limit my fluid intake, make sure I carry on anything I can't buy if it gets lost in the city I'm going to and prepare myself to deal with a dozen or so overly helpful people.

Do the rent a car companies have problems when the disable renting cars? I would have to take my porable hand controls with me of couse.

You don't need to carry portable hand controls! Although you could pack them in your luggage just in case the rental company makes a mistake. I've only had that happen once where I flew into the city very late and the rental company flat out did not have a vehicle available with hand controls. They paid for a cab to take me to my hotel and they had a car brought to me the next day. There have also been a couple of times where I had to wait an hour or so for my car to be ready, but considering how many times I've rented cars, overall, I've had very few problems.

I have been looking online today and I found some fold away commodes, I think that will be what I will have to do. I do like the ideas you guys and gals said also. I will try reaching between my legs at home and see how easy that is.

Can't you just lean to one side and reach behind yourself? I've had really bad spasms in my legs over the years and can still manage to use a regular toilet seat. Having a grab bar available makes it much easier, but even visiting friends and relatives houses, I can manage with their bathrooms. I would really recommend avoiding traveling with a commode if it's at all possible. It's a big, extra piece of luggage that you'll have to find someone to carry around for you and it's one more thing that you're dependent on and will suffer for if it's lost.

However this works out for you, I wish you the best. I like traveling, even though it's a bit inconvenient at times. A new job is exciting too. Good luck!

C.

[Mike C]

Dan, first of all, do an extensive search in the sports, travel and recreation forum about flying. Absorb all the information available there. Second, find out from your new employer if the network of cities you will have to travel too are consistent destinations or if they vary randomly. This is important to know so you can plan ahead of time such as picking the best hotels for your needs, finding out if healthcare services are available, wheelchair repair...anything that Murphy´s law can throw your way. Don´t forget decubitus protection...take it seriously, especially when your flying.

[Liz321]

Sorry I meant you could go back to a job that didn't have traveling not the particular job you have now. Traveling is an excellent experience, new people, different things to do and looks good on the old resume!

Many SCI/D travel for work. Contact www.unitedspinal.org those guys are always on the move!