USVI-On-Line

Hey guys,

A post on another thread got me to thinking....

I wonder if individuals who have physical challenges might consider posting advice to a permanent thread on the forum about beaches and parts of STJ that are more accessible than others?

As much as I might try to think about these things in order to give guidance and advice when asked, I think that there is so much that folks who don't have physical challenges take for granted. It's not that we're insensitive or don't care but it's stuff we might not even think about.

So I'm starting this thread and I hope that maybe Anthony might figure out a way to make it more visible.

I wonder how many folks are new to the forum and have special needs but are afraid or embarrassed to ask? Perhaps by having a place for them to research would help?

I really think this thread could be made very valuable and posts should come from folks on the forum who have first-hand experience with these issues.

Ultimately I think the goal could be to help on- island businesses and the Park Service do more to improve accessibility for ALL. restaurants that have access, charter boats that have crew that are trained and equipped for folks with special needs, accessible beaches, accessible villas.

I know that several folks on this forum have first ahnd knowledge and could contribute a great deal to help others.

Just trying to think of ways to make this forum helpful to EVERYONE!!

I also know that not all disabilites are alike so what holds true for someone who uses a wheelchair may not apply to someone who requires some other form of assistance or has other specific needs. There's no one size fits all but this would be a move in the right direction.

What do you think? Maybe we can all pitch in with this effort?

Does anyone else think this is a good idea? Willing to contribute?

Let's get started!!

I think it is a great idea! I will jump in.

Caneel appears to be very accessible.

It would be possible to get from the parking lot down to the main beach without encountering stairs. Before the beach there are two restaurants, one bar and the restrooms that are completely flat, tiled surfaces, no stairs.

I know there are accessible rooms and more often then not, the shuttle had a chair lift.

In February, we chartered Motor Yacht Cinnamon Bay. My observations are based on being the parent of a small child. While this is in no way close to being physically challenged, it does make one look at the world differently. In booking a charter, I was most concerned with safety, followed by comfort, which brings me to my point.

MYCB is an historic motor boat. One literally steps right on from the dock as opposed to a sail boat where you might need to cliimb a ladder or climb over the side of the boat.

The lounging area is flat, teak wood, covered from the sun and very spacious. It appeared to me that one could feasibly roll onto the boat, with propper assistance and have plenty of room to sit comfortably in a chair or scoot over to the couches.

The crew is very professional and when we were on the boat, went far above and beyond in their attention on the safety and comfort as it related to our son and his nervous parents!

Thanks Gromit - You start the best threads - this time I will contribute instead of just lurk - my husband requires a wheelchair and I have been trying to do some research in advance of our trip in Feb 2011 - I have found there are very few villas that are accessible - what would be really nice to have all the villa management companies have that be a way to sort out villas - VRBO has a column so it is easy to see at a glance - I can't wait to see what people have to offer and I will be making notes on our trip and contribute them to the thread - we never used to notice the little things that get in the way - and have learned to ask what they mean by accessible - no stairs? wide aisles? things at eye-level?, etc - I hope a lot of people share their input.

I actually gave this some serious thought very recently. My mother recently found herself in need of a prosthetic leg (due to her advanced vascular disease) and I was thinking about what things would be difficult for her if I were to bring her back to STJ; from accessible villas, to accessible beaches, restaurants, etc. (I'm thinking the search for a villa might prove difficult, so perhaps a timeshare unit at The Westin or a Grande Bay rental.) She's not nearly as advanced with her leg as the amputees that we (SOTB group) witnessed at Cinnamon Bay during our last trip. That group was absolutely amazing! Nonetheless, although I think there would be a lot of limitations, I do think it would be totally doable while at the same time, worth the effort. Ali~

Caveat-- I am not physically impaired so my observations are the best of my recollection and I am happy for folks to correct me if I miss something...

I'll add -- unless I am mistaken-- that Skinny Legs is wheelchair accessible (although the parking lot is a little rough).

There is also a variety of seating from the plastic chairs which can be moved to fixed benches if you are a larger person. Tables are all movable. The shops there are also fairly accessible.

I do think the bathrooms at Skinnys might be a challenge and would require assistance but there's a good amount of space to maneuver if you need assistance.

Also on the East End is Vies. I think this would be accessible for anyone in a wheelchair. Although the counter is high and she would need to come out of the shack to take your order (no doubt she would!) She has picnic tables that you would/ could roll up to.

I also think the Tourist Trap would be doable but might require a little bit of assistance to get up the side of the little hill (maybe 3 feet). But once you're there, you're good.

As for beaches, I would say best bets are Maho, Francis, Hawksnest, Trunk and Cinnamon.

Obviously once you get to sand that's going to be an issue (there aren't any boardwalks on the beach) but from my perspective (and again I could be wrong) I think you could access these beaches with little or no difficulty.

BTW-- I haven't seen STJMike on the forum in a while. He was sight impaired and would come down and stay on STJ for a couple of months at a time. Jan, her hubby Mike and Mr. Gromit and I hung out with him a bit on one of our trips. STJ Mike if you're around good buddy I think you'd have some awesome input on this issue.

Also, I just want to say that I apologize in advance if I don't use the correct terminology -- so if I, or anyone for that matter, inadvertently offends please let us know what the correct terminology is/should be. Please know my heart is in the right place!!

Keep the suggestions coming![/b]

Gromit once again you impress me! I am a licensed Practical Nurse and work in an agency that cares for adults with developmental disabilities. I often feel bad when I come home and they ask me about my trip. So often some will say how much they would love to experience a trip like the ones we are blessed enough to take without obstacles (physical at least). I believe that Trunk is the most accessible from the parking lot through to the beach but as you mentioned the sand would surely provide a challenge. I wonder if anyone has created a wheelchair that would work on the sand, maybe on with the big wheels on beach bikes. Mongoose Junction would be very hard for people to manipulate as there are so many different levels of stairs throughout. Wharfside Village (beach level) may be a bit easier although there are a few areas where you need to go up or down at least one step. Woody's would work fairly well as long as they can be protected from the street. JJ's outside tables would also probably be doable. The visitor's center has a ramp for easy access. I think it is an awesome idea to look more into this and offer opportunity for some who may not have found STJ to be accessible before. It is unreal how working with these amazing people has opened my eyes to things that I may never have noticed before. Thanks!

Barb Y wrote:Gromit once again you impress me! I am a licensed Practical Nurse and work in an agency that cares for adults with developmental disabilities. I often feel bad when I come home and they ask me about my trip. So often some will say how much they would love to experience a trip like the ones we are blessed enough to take without obstacles (physical at least). I believe that Trunk is the most accessible from the parking lot through to the beach but as you mentioned the sand would surely provide a challenge. I wonder if anyone has created a wheelchair that would work on the sand, maybe on with the big wheels on beach bikes. Mongoose Junction would be very hard for people to manipulate as there are so many different levels of stairs throughout. Wharfside Village (beach level) may be a bit easier although there are a few areas where you need to go up or down at least one step. Woody's would work fairly well as long as they can be protected from the street. JJ's outside tables would also probably be doable. The visitor's center has a ramp for easy access. I think it is an awesome idea to look more into this and offer opportunity for some who may not have found STJ to be accessible before. It is unreal how working with these amazing people has opened my eyes to things that I may never have noticed before. Thanks!

They have wheelchairs like that - from what I have read here and on TA they are available to use at Trunk and Cinnamon - also, Chelsey Drug has them for rent - $60/day $350/wk - we are checking into renting one

Okay, I might have a few things to add. I have a neuromuscular disease and going to St John has been getting more challenging for me. Here is what challenges me and what I have found.
My biggest difficulty is anything that requires fighting gravity since my muscles are so weak, specifically stairs and hills. More than once I have fallen up the stairs in Mongoose. Restaurants are tough because so many of them are upstairs with no elevators. One ramp or two could make such a difference! Beaches I find best are Francis, Maho and Cinnamon (they will let you drive down to the camp sites to drop handiacpped people off).
Properties that I have rented that worked well are Hale Lani (a few steps but not many), Miles Away (no steps but the beds are really high) and the most accessible to date Grande Bay Resort.
I would love it if the road to Honeymoon was made available to drop off handicapped individuals as well as Oppenheimer. While the trail to Honeymoon is relatively flat, I poop out when I get too hot so the trail back would be too much of a gamble. Vie's worked really well.
Also, the low sitting beach chairs are tough so I stopped at K-Mart on my last visit and purchased a higher seated beach chair, it was left at Grande Grande Bay Resort for others who might benefit from it.
I love St John and love bringing my girls to St John so anything that will make it easy to do so would be greatly appreciated!!

This thread is great - I am getting some good ideas - someone named Hotwheels has posted that he was in a chair and going to STJ sometime in September - hopefully when he gets back he will post what he found - let's keep this going

Great thread.
As many of you know, My Sweet Amy was in a motorcycle accident in the mid-nineties, and she's allowed me to reply (partially, at least) on her behalf regarding this post.
She broke every bone on the right side of her body, and has been left with only one hip. She has walked with a titanium cane since then, as her right leg is 4 inches shorter than her left.
But, quite honestly, she's a lot more capable than plenty of people who have perfect use of both their arms & legs.
She found swimming in the wonderful water of STJ to be invigorating and exciting; not feeling the least bit "left behind" because of her cane. I'm sure she's just a bit paranoid when she claims people are staring at her because of her cane, but I'm positive it's simply because she's so damn radiant. For Amy,that water makes her feel "normal" again, and she's one hell of a strong swimmer, often leaving lots of us in her wake!
The only real issues she has (and me too for that matter ,most of the time...)is dealing with the surf while either walking into the water, or putting on her fins.
But I'm always there to help her if/when she needs it, so everybody wins.
One thing I'd like to bring up is asking any villa manager about any steps leading into the home you plan to rent. A lot of rentals websites tend to leave out that info for fear of losing a potential rental. That's one thing we learned last April; the 54 steps to/from the nonairconditioned villa were killers! Steep & somewhat sloped making it almost hard to GO DOWN them!
Our favorite beaches are Maho, Francis, Vie's, and Gibney. Anyone who's been to Gibney knows that it can be a little tough coming back up the path to the car, as well as having your feet slide ahead of the flip-flops on the way down.But whether it's going up the steps to whichever restaurant we choose, or the hike to the beaches, it's all worth it.
One thing that I've noticed time & time again, is how protective and vocal the locals are as far as making sure noone parks in a handicapped parking spot. It's remarkable to me I guess, because of how many people around here almost completely disregard that notion. -Just another reason to love STJ.
I've gotta' tell you all how proud I am to have Amy on my arm whether on vaca, or anywhere else.
She's a fighter,a hard worker, and has the heart of an angel.
Oh yeah, she's beautiful,too.
Not sure if I did, but if I think of anything that's actually helpful, I'll let you know!
Check her out jumping off the Willy T during our trip with Palm Tree Charters last Spring!
Smiles-
MJ