Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Adventurous activity for an immobile 80 year old?

77 replies

AmicableHonest · 10/09/2023 16:25

My mum will be 80 next year and would like to do something adventurous - she mentioned a microlight flight in passing. She has limited mobility - can't walk far and uses a walker, she can manage steps but needs a handrail. I'd really like to arrange something that ticks the 'adventurous' box for her but I don't know what given her physical limitations. Any suggestions? Her heart's fine by the way!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Loopyloooooo · 10/09/2023 19:43

Sorry...one more 🙈🙈 Google your local RDA ...riding school for the disabled. They'll be used to people with all kinds of mobility issues doing things like carriage riding and will have specialist equipment to help access everything.

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 10/09/2023 19:43

They are vintage passenger aircraft carry 12-15 so there are steps up but you don’t have to climb into the cockpit. You can fly over London

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/09/2023 19:43

Track day, where she is a passenger

Screamingabdabz · 10/09/2023 19:45

TeenDivided · 10/09/2023 16:55

I would still be worried about hot air balloon as landings can be very bumpy.

Me too. I was going to say that. A number of us got quite badly bruised when we landed and the basket tipped.

Acommonreader · 10/09/2023 19:49

What about horse riding? Might sound crazy but some Riding for the disabled groups can get wheel chair users on a horse using hoists and very specially trained horses. My local group helped people from a care home whose bucket list activity was to ride!

GlassHeart1 · 10/09/2023 19:57

Also, it's possible to go over O2 in a wheelchair.

MrsDrudge · 10/09/2023 20:01

I second the Off Road driving experience suggested by @AdaColeman having done one myself at Gaydon Motor Heritage centre. You are driven up steep gradients and hills, through deep water, forests etc. very exciting but very safe.

Lantyslee · 10/09/2023 20:13

I was also going to suggest ZipWorld at Penrhyn. I saw it on TV and I think the presenter took their grandmother on it.

I've done a hot air balloon trip and it was a pain to organise as the weather conditions need to be quite specific and it was postponed several times. When we were finally able to go, DH had to a miss it because he'd broken his arm and the landings can be rough. Our basket dragged along the ground on it's side so I don't think it would be suitable for someone who wasn't mobile unless the basket was adapted for that purpose.

CantThinkOfANewUsernameAgain · 10/09/2023 20:15

Fast ride in a supercar on a track.
Car chase heroes we've used before

gamerchick · 10/09/2023 20:17

oculus? Won't have to leave her home and probably do anything she wants then

saveforthat · 10/09/2023 20:20

I second the London Eye. We went there for my stepmother's 80th. We went for a meal afterwards. It was lovely.

InterFactual · 10/09/2023 20:27

A lot of zoos have experience packages, feeding the giraffes and elephants, that sort of thing. If it's a wheelchair accessible path up to the feeding point then she could manage it. I know she isn't wheelchair bound but I would suggest hiring a scooter from the zoo because they tend to be rather large and you can walk for miles around them.

iamloading · 10/09/2023 20:34

Bird of prey experience day. Having a massive golden eagle flying to you is pretty thrilling!

Original poster
AmicableHonest · 10/09/2023 20:34

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, definitely some good ones in there. I did have a little chuckle at the Go Ape suggestion though, I'd struggle to do that myself aged 50.

Didn't know zip lines were an option so I'll definitely look into that.

Sports cars are out cos she can barely get in my Astra, but a land rover type thing would be ok.

Horse riding is also a good idea but I think she might be too heavy. I'll look into it though.

OP posts:
WetBandits · 10/09/2023 20:39

If she has reasonable upper body strength, would she enjoy axe throwing? It’s very cathartic Grin

Dogsitterwoes · 10/09/2023 20:52

My similar Mum loved a ride in a red convertible sports car. Because there's no top it's a lot easier to get in and out of than a normal car - no ducking down at the same time and she could hold the side for support. She needed a couple of helping hands in and out, but managed fine, and laughed her head off the whole time.

Fillyfrog · 10/09/2023 20:58

My grandma was at a similar stage of mobility at 85 and she was still very much a thrillseeker. She went on a speedboat ride in Scarborough. It took 4 men to get her off again 🙈 but the staff on the boat were so lovely and they were happy to help. Maybe contact one before hand and explain the situation. She absolutely loved it and talked about it for years afterwards.

lapsedbookworm · 10/09/2023 21:00

Just remembered my grandma went skiing at 80. She stuck to the nursery slopes /green runs etc and only did half days then enjoyed a swim or a hot chocolate in a cafe but she had a fabulous time

lapsedbookworm · 10/09/2023 21:01

(realise that's not an option for ops mum, but was a nice remind how much people may still want adventure as they age)

avemariiiaa · 10/09/2023 21:05

How about one of those train journeys where you get a posh meal on board? Some have themes trios like murder mysteries.

I don't know where you live but EAST LANCS RAILWAY might give you some ideas to research locally.

avemariiiaa · 10/09/2023 21:05

Themed trips *

LollipopViolet · 10/09/2023 21:08

Aerobility are a charity that do flying lessons for people with disabilities - they could possibly assist with getting in and out of the aircraft with hoists and other adaptions.

Silkiebunny · 10/09/2023 21:12

Helicopter maybe Penzance one to Tresco and then can go round the lovely gardens. There's a few steps up then it's like sitting in a plane or car.

Or wildlife boat trip though they are seasonal, puffins on Skomer but not the right time of year now.

Or speedboat down the Thames.

Or wakeboarding in Hove😂

trulyunruly01 · 10/09/2023 21:17

Flyability might be able to help with the gliding. DS has been twice and says it's a magical experience.
There is also a sailing club for the disabled at a beautiful reservoir near here, they have equipment to get people with mobility difficulties into the adapted boats.
From Dover, there is s9methjng called the Sea Safari which takes people out to see the seal colony in a specially adapted, level access boat.
The London Eye is very accessible, as is the cable car at Greenwich. If she's open to using a wheelchair, it's even possible to do the Up at the o2 experience.

Swipe left for the next trending thread