by Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons
Commode Chairs in Hotels
I am reading your book, 101 Accessible Vacations, and you mention that certain hotels have roll-in showers, bars around the toilet and shower chairs; but I don’t see any mention of commode chairs. I am a recent paraplegic and I need a commode chair when I travel. Do you have any suggestions?
Actually I covered the "commode chair" issue in my first book, "Barrier Free Travels; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers". I don't know of any hotel that provides a commode chair. The reason most often given for this is that it is a "sanitary issue".
So, if you need a commode chair you'll have to bring your own. There are several portable models out there, but I like the Nuprodx one, as it's lightweight yet sturdy and it packs up it it's own little bag (www.nuprodx.com). If you are traveling by air there is no charge for the bag as it's considered "medical equipment" (make sure and mark it as such) and if you are in your own car it's easy to throw in the trunk.
Bruce Hammer (who designed the chair) has improved the model over the years and he uses lightweight aircraft metal. It's not cheap by any means, but you do get what you pay for. The commode chair also converts to a rolling shower chair if you also need that. Of course you can also shop around and have a look at other models, but taking your own commode chair is really the best way to ensure you’ll have exactly what you need when you get to your hotel.