Never thought I'd be writing this. Last spring seems a long time ago. We had used our beloved U320 on an extended trip to Big Bend Nat park then to southern GA for an impromptu rally with the FL chapter. Met a lot of good folks. Arrived back home in MI in April.
Within weeks our world turned upside down. On June 4, while on my riding lawn tractor, I suffered a dissected aorta. Without going into too much boring detail, Suffice it to say, it has been a long haul. 3 1/2 mo hospital stay plus subsequent /out patient therapy that continues to this day, brings us to this point. After cognitive and physical therapy, I'm able to barely get around with forearm canes. Steps are a big obstacle even with good sturdy hand rails. I've only been in the coach once since June. The medical term is "incomplete paraplegia" due to spinal cord injury. The cord was not getting proper blood flow because of the dissection.
Soo, to my questions for the group forum...1) can a 1998 36' FT be modified for handicap use? The steps are my biggest obstacle at this point ,so maybe a personal lift?. Doctors tell me that I will slowly gain more mobility. But the days of bounding in and out of the coach are gone. (2) Should I even consider ownership of a coach this intricate? I viewed a trip in the FT as a fun challenge but those challenges seem all the more beyond my capability's now. We've discussed a smaller unit (class B or C) or even going back to touring in a good sized vehicle and staying in hotels. This has limited appeal.
Any suggestions or words of wisdom from my FT friends would be appreciated.
Bill - so glad to see you back on the forum!
Check this classified by Irwin that he just posted last week! Handicap lift for Foretravels (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=27269.0)
Bill, so good to hear from you & Jan, and that your healing is progressing, albeit not perhaps at a rate we'd all like. Miracles can & do happen, & as you continue to get better & stronger, we'll be with you all in thought & prayer.
As for the possibilities of a modification on the FT, the experts at Xtreme or FOT may be best to answer that: possible widening of door, a lift, etc. and any mods inside you may require. Just not sure what they've already done but they do work miracles as well.
Naturally we'd love to keep you all in the club, so on that note, the good news is that the Motorcade Club has decided (this pretty recently) that if someone has been a MC club member for at least 10 years (I think that's the number) & they find it necessary to downsize to a different class or brand of motor home, they can still retain their MC membership. Of course we're all hoping you'll be able to keep the FT.
Best wishes to you both as this challenge continues.
There was a FT with a seated lift that you would sit in and it will lift you up the steps. Also, FT has made a number of handicapped coaches. They put a wheelchair lift in the middle of the coach. I think the door lift is the best option.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFj1zwYTPGk
Thank you John, Michele, and Miz Dani
It's safe to say that I'll not consider a coach if I find that being wheel chair bound is my only option. An entry lift seems like something I may be able to handle. I'll give Irwin a PM to get more info and pics
A word of praise... although what I'm dealing with is troublesome, I'm so thankful that I've not experienced much pain and that I have full use of my hands/arms and no apparent loss of hearing(music has been a life line). And though therapy is one of the hardest things I've done, I'm very thankful for those therapists that have to deal with this over aged ofttimes grump. It's very frustrating mentally, and most people can't relate to your brain telling a muscle to do one thing... just to have it just lay there like a dead log. But I believe God has a plan that I'm a part of, even tho I'm not sure what it is quite yet.
Bill,
I wondered why y'all weren't at the Grandvention. I am very proud to hear you are improving and hope you will find a lift that will help you continue to travel.
I wish you the very best in your rehab and continued improvement.
Jerry
Bill, I am glad to see recovery is progressing. It may be slower than you want but progress is the key word here. I am sure if there is a solution for your mobility requirement out there you will find it. Our friends at Xtreme might have some good ideas. If there are seats that can go up the stairs in your home then why not in your coach? Good luck finding a solution.
Bill, Dee and I looked into a couple of options and we went Elkhart to view one of them. We were not as impressed as I thought we would be as the unit was ok but the owner was as old as I am and had no one to carry on as he aged. This one was mounted inside and has got possibilities. There was another in the southwest that mounted to the outside. If you like I can find the information. Jim Dee Busby 15015
Bill here is the one I did not get to check out Jim RV Lift - Coach Lift (http://www.coachlift.com/rv-lift/)
Looks like a good one, Jim.
I remeber building a handicapped 1988 36' 250 cat ORED for Steve Coffee. Had an flat floor open shower all on the same level.
No drivers seat. Had a ramp from the coaches floor up to the drivers seat. Donaldson steering column had optional hand controls.
Mid door with a lift. Seen two or three full handicapped Foretravels back then.
Remember walking through the coach after it got to my store. Really liked the floorplan.
My sales guy, Joe Broderick did a pro job custom ordering it. I helped.
I have a few friends from Foretravel days maybe something will come up.
Can be done from a chair if necessary. Steve told me it worked great. Made my day