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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Disability requirements, Butlins, help!

50 replies

Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 14:37

Pregnant me, DH and disabled toddler DC are due to go to Butlins tomorrow for 4 nights. I was so looking forward to it.

However over the past month (I'm 32 weeks) I've developed terrible SPD, it's become so bad that simple walk to the shop down the road is a struggle due to the pain and now I'm dreading the holiday. I have a support belt and crutches but neither are really helping to be honest. Today it's the worst it's ever been and I'm having to accept that I'm just not going to manage anything on foot.

I was relieved to see that Butlins can provide mobility scooters - until i saw the cost attatched.

They want a £50 deposit then £26 per day which might be affordable to some but it isn't for us. We had to budget for the holiday as it is, paying for the mobility scooter is going to eat into bills and food money so just not feasible.

WIBU to ask if they'd consider waving the rental cost as a good will gesture? I can pay the deposit because I get that back but the daily fee is beyond our means.

Will they laugh me off the phone for being a CF?

There's little point in going otherwise and I may have to cancel which will be shit but we may need to suck it up Sad

WDYT?

OP posts:
FleasInMyKnees · 05/09/2021 14:42

You can ask, they may agree but it's a bit cheeky. Are you going by car, would it be easier to buy a lightweight foldable wheelchair for the holiday and you can also use it when you get back if you need to or is that out the question if you have a disabled toddler. Are there any local hire places near where you are going. If you end up having to pay Butlins would you need it every day .

QuestionableMouse · 05/09/2021 14:45

This may help www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/borrow-a-wheelchair

Whatamuddleduck · 05/09/2021 14:46

No harm in asking, you haven’t lost anything if they say no. Failing that are you a carer for your husband or DC? If so, try your local caters center, they might be able to offer a grant or something allow you to take a break together.

kwiksavenofrillsusername · 05/09/2021 14:47

I’m sorry. SPD is so shit. When I had it, I rented a mobility scooter but it was much cheaper. You’re probably paying more for the convenience of having it delivered to the park. It might be worth seeing if you can rent one locally, or if you’re going in a car, rent one near your home and choose a folding model that can go in the boot. Or even see if someone is selling an older model near you. Some second hand ones are quite cheap and you can sell them on.

Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 14:48

@FleasInMyKnees

You can ask, they may agree but it's a bit cheeky. Are you going by car, would it be easier to buy a lightweight foldable wheelchair for the holiday and you can also use it when you get back if you need to or is that out the question if you have a disabled toddler. Are there any local hire places near where you are going. If you end up having to pay Butlins would you need it every day .
DS is in a wheelchair himself so me getting one wouldn't work as DH would need to push both.

I'm looking at other rental services in the area (Bognor Regis) but can't see anything that would cost any less.

Ugh I'm so fed up, we was really looking forward to going. Damn SPD.

To be fair I wouldn't blame anybody for thinking I'm a CF. I feel like one. Just desperate not to spoil the trip for DS Sad

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2021 14:49

I’ll be honest with you as a person who has SPD for two pregnancies:

Cancel the holiday. It’s miserable and the pain is constant.

There’s no way I’d go away with SPD as bad as you describe.

Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 14:49

Crossed posts thank you for the advice (and sympatny!) Its much appreciated Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 14:51

@Merryoldgoat

I’ll be honest with you as a person who has SPD for two pregnancies:

Cancel the holiday. It’s miserable and the pain is constant.

There’s no way I’d go away with SPD as bad as you describe.

It really is isn't it?

I don't tend to go out much and spend alot of time sat down which is miserable in itself. I went for a walk to the local Tesco today and Jesus Christ, it really hit home just how bad it is.

I don't think there's any way I could manage the holiday walking about. No way.

OP posts:
wallflower101 · 05/09/2021 14:52

We just got back from bognor and to be honest it's not a massive walk between the venues. The furthest away is the swimming pool and you can drive there from your accommodation and park right outside. The wave hotel and some of the apartments are literally a 2 minute walk to the skyline so you could ask to be moved to one of those accommodation options if you aren't already staying in one of those. There are also lots of seats dotted around the skyline and funfair bit so you can have lots of regular sit down breaks when needed.

WorraLiberty · 05/09/2021 14:56

WIBU to ask if they'd consider waving the rental cost as a good will gesture? I can pay the deposit because I get that back but the daily fee is beyond our means.

In the nicest possible way, yes very unreasonable. If they showed 'goodwill' to you, why wouldn't they show it to everyone?

Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 14:58

That is good to know wallflower thank you. We're staying in the shoreline hotel.

I totally agree Worra. I'm actually cringing a bit at the thought of asking anyway. I would have probably got DH to do it on my behalf as I realise what a CF I sound Grin

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 05/09/2021 15:01

How about an electric scooter - would that work? Someone might be able to lend you one?

UndertheCedartree · 05/09/2021 15:03

I am think @Merryoldgoat may be right, unfortunately.

Another option is to hire yourself a self propelled wheelchair so doesn't need to be pushed.

I've not had SPD so not sure what relieves/brings it on. Would time in the pool help? Would you be able to sit in a deckchair (there are lots of these around) while DH takes DS on some rides? Will you be able to sit comfortably to watch the shows in the evening? There is also a spa with a jacuzzi and spa pool if these would help? It's not a big site so not loads of walking involved and lots of 'sitting' could be incorporated into your trip - shows (day and night), sitting in cafe while DS is using the arcades/soft play/indoor rides, deckchairs/other seating while DS uses fairground rides etc.

Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 15:03

I'm so torn between going along with my useless crutches and support belt and 'white knuckling' it, or cancelling altogether.

I did opt for the holiday protection as an extra when booking so we should be able to get our money back or rebook for next year. It's just such a shame to have to.

OP posts:
Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 15:06

An electric scooter would be lovely! I don't know anybody that has one though, or how I would get a hold of one with such short notice.

Sitting down does help, it's perfectly manageable when stationary it's just when having to walk. Each step makes me wince after being on my feet for 10 mins or so.

Self propelled wheelchair.. hmm! That's pause for thought. I wonder if Butlins offer those, as opposed to the ones somebody else has to push.

There are wheelchairs on the hire list I've looked at, I just ruled them out on the probability that they'd be ones DH would need to push. I'm going to try and give the hire shop a call.

OP posts:
pinkfluffykitten · 05/09/2021 15:08

I don't know how much they charge, but it might be worth trying Bognor Shopmobility.

Warrickdaviesasplates · 05/09/2021 15:09

This isn't wheelchair related but when I went to the Bognor butlins we were surprised that you have to rent towels, none provided, I can't remember the exact cost but it was cheaper for us to drive to fresco and buy new ones. So make sure you bring your own towels.

FleasInMyKnees · 05/09/2021 15:10

The Red Cross hire out self propelled chairs, you could try and book online and see if they have any

Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 15:10

The wheelchairs are £7 per day If booking for multiple days, and just a £20 deposit. I could stretch to that I'm sure.

Hopefully self propelled ones are an option. I really should have sorted this sooner shouldn't I? I just didn't realise how bloody disabled I'd become until I did a walk to the shops earlier. It has got so much worse.

OP posts:
Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 15:12

@Warrickdaviesasplates

This isn't wheelchair related but when I went to the Bognor butlins we were surprised that you have to rent towels, none provided, I can't remember the exact cost but it was cheaper for us to drive to fresco and buy new ones. So make sure you bring your own towels.
Eek thank you for the heads up that's helpful.

I looked in the "what's included in your accommodation" section last week and there was a tick next to towels, so that's a bit misleading isn't it.

Will tell DH now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Butlins21 · 05/09/2021 15:12

@FleasInMyKnees

The Red Cross hire out self propelled chairs, you could try and book online and see if they have any
Thank you I'll have a look now!
OP posts:
FleasInMyKnees · 05/09/2021 15:13

Bognor shopmobility offer a free delivery service to Butlins but they are not open till tomorrow

Phineyj · 05/09/2021 15:14

Are you able to look after yourself without DH? Can he look after DS alone? If yes to both of those, could he go alone? Disappointing for you, but you could sit down all week Smile.

Figgygal · 05/09/2021 15:18

Honestly since you have cover I would cancel/reschedule

Please don’t beg for what is essentially a free mobility scooter everyone could claim circumstances for an exemption if butlins cared about the reasons they’d give everyone them for free

FleasInMyKnees · 05/09/2021 15:21

Would it be easier for you to try and book an accessible room so you can use the loo and shower or both a bit easier. Some of the hotel rooms have towels included.