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I have FSHMD.  I use a powerchair most of the time but can walk with two canes.  I cannot walk on uneven surfaces well, one leg is very weak and will just buckle under me so walking on sand or walking in the water is impossible.  If I fall, I cannot get up easily and am dead weight if someone wants to try to lift me.  All that being said, I want to go to the beach with my grandkids.  Any one have any ideas to get me from the car to the beach? I'm sure my Jazzy powerchair would get stuck in the sand!  Any ideas?  Thanks!

 

Many beach towns now provide beach wheelchairs through the local parks and recreation department. Some are better than others of course (both the rental options AND the chairs). Some places charge a small fee, others offer it for free, and then I've run into a few that loaned chairs that were just SO heavy and in terrible shape that they weren't much help. Also, depending on where you're going-there might be an accessible beach. We have a few here in Miami but they vary in how accessible they truly are and none are truly accessible for wheelchairs (in my opinion)...we do have one in a state park here that the sand is packed SO hard leading up to the bay that I believe a power chair could make it to the water's edge. Since it's the bay though it's not all that deep (maybe 2-3 feet) and there aren't really waves. It's still nice.Let us know what you figure out and have a great trip! 

Check out Daytona...you drive your car on the beach there...My town, Cocoa Beach is only marginally wheelchair friendly

 

Joe 

Not sure what state your in but in Ca (San Diego) The have powerchairs you can use for free and they are pretty cool!

Your right your chair would sink! Fl Daytona you could roll on the beach and even drvie on to it with a car or van.

 

Just do a google search on city funded beach chair  programs.

 

There is a guy in San Digeo that makes power beach chairs you might email...Hal @Hot Shot products. See if he has sold any to the city your looking to go to.

 

http://www.accessandiego.com/headline.asp?event=1114&idno=5

 

http://www.hotshotproducts.org/

 

 

http://www.disableddealer.com/item_view.asp?itemid=102104

Good Luck!

Thanks to all of you for responding.  I recently moved to Texas so imagine we will be going to either Galveston or Corpus Christi (Padre Island).  I guess I should try to call someone there.  I looked on some of the websites (guess I sure have been out of touch with being a beachcomber living in WA state).  I had no idea things like these beach chairs existed!  They sure are expensive to buy, but maybe I can find somewhere here to rent one. That would be so awesome to get onto a beach with the grandkids!

I want to start a "Wish" program...your wish is my command!!!

 

http://www.galveston.com/beachwheelchair/

 

Accessible Honolulu Beaches (808) 692-5750 www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/programs/beach Beach Wheelchairs in California www.coastal.ca.gov/access/beach-wheelchairs.html Day on the Beach (831) 459-7210 www.dayonthebeach.org www.EmergingHorizons.com Hilton Head Beach Access Information www.hhisleinfo.com/beaches.htm Oxnard CVB (Rehab Point) (800) 269-6273 www.oxnardtourism.com San Diego Beach Cruzr Wheelchairs (619) 525-8247 (reservations) (619) 221-8852 (Mission Beach - only available when staffed) South Padre Island (800) 767-2373 www.sopadre.com Beach Chairs Deming Designs (De Bug Beach Wheelchair Locations) (850) 478-5765 www.beachwheelchair.com/locations.htm Hotshot Products (310) 533-5911 www.hotshotproducts.org J-Mac Industries Inc. (386) 437-6539 www.jmacindustries.com Jason Marine Enterprises, Inc. (954) 346-5240 www.jmeseeker.com Natural Access (Landeez) (800) 411-7789 www.landeez.com Tiralo (877)-244-2810 http://tiralo-usa.com

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We are simply looking for a motel in southern Maine that is on the ocean and has a view in a handicapped accessible room. Can't find one - anyone know of a motel/hotel in the Wells or Ogunquit Maine area? Want to get my mother to see the ocean! (She was paralyzed in a car accident 2 years ago and misses the beach! Farley

To Gaga:  You have no idea how great a beach chair can be, and yes, they are quite expensive.  You might, however, want to petition your city council, Parks Deparment, Recreation Department or appropriate community agency regarding the purchase of one or two chairs, citing the other cities mentioned in the thread who have done so (I bet the manufactureres might know of more),  There is also the local Tourist Board, in a town like your new hometown where tourism is a major industry.

 

Also, your local advocacy group, like the Center for Indepenent Living, might be willing to advocate at a community level.   Good luck!