We are leaving this week for Rome and my 19 year old athlete son is suddenly on crutches for a stress fracture. Any ideas on how to get him around on a budget. He has always wanted to see Pompeii(a senior citizen bus tour?). We can't change the dates of the trip. I have been there before, not him. I know the cobblestones may get tiring even for an athletic kid.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Pompeii is going to be hard as I can't imagine trying to push a wheel chair through the ruins. The only thing I can suggest is to do it yourself so you can take your time. A tour is a tour and they have a schedule to meet. Even a senior citizen tour will be kept to a strict schedule. Do Pompeii on your own so he can sit when he needs to and continue when he is ready. You may also want to get one of those "cane chairs" that I see advertised. This way you can carry the cane for him and when he needs to sit you just flip down the chair part. Here is what I mean, but you can get them at a lot of different places, just shop around:
justwalkers.com/walkersandrollators/canes/seat-canes.html
As for Rome, the same thing. Do it on your own, take cabs or the metro when needed and take your time. You can get a metro pass for just a few euros. Another great way to save money is to get the romapass. It gives you free entrances, discounts and a metro pass. Check it out at romapass.it.
Donna
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Pompeii is not going to be a fun time for a person on crutches. Some areas are even difficult walking W/O crutches. You know, most of the actual antiquities from Pompeii Scavi have been removed to a museum in Naples. Haven't been there, but museums are probably easier to navigate with crutches or a wheelchair.
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
While it might be tiring, its not impossible. Just take your time and take more breaks. Use more taxis, busses, metros and if your son is tired, take a break for a bit. If you are in a museum that has wheelchairs, if he's tired, that may be an option for that museum. Hopefully he's gotten used to the crutches already, that will make things a bit easier for him.
Posted by
PARK
70 posts
My husband and I just recently did the exact trip with crutches and a brace and he is a senior. (he broke his leg at the end of July-we were in Italy from 10/15 to 11/6). We took all public transportation including the Circumvesuviana from Sorrento to Pompeii, buses, train, boats (to Capri and the small boat around the island of Capri). He was able to navagate stairs and there are elevators in the train stations. Everyone was extremely accommodating and he always was offered a seat on buses even in Rome. In Pompeii, it was drizzling but he was very careful and it really did not impede him at all-he is one determined man.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Cynthia,, I don't know if you had this option,, but there are "walking casts",, they simply make walking a little less difficult,, perhaps you could find out if son is eligible for that ?
Good luck, and I too think bringing a chair cane is a good idea,, remember he won't be able to just sit down on grass if tired as it is hard to get up off ground. Those canes are not expensive,, they are lightweight, and you could likely carry it for him.