Tent Camping with a Stroke-Survivor

Tent camping with a stroke-survivor is possible, but it takes planning. My husband suffered a massive stroke 5 years ago, and the event changed a lot of things in our lives. We loved camping, but his disabilities made me think there was no chance of returning to that pastime. But I was wrong. Learn how tent camping once again became a recreation for us even with his disabilities.

Physical Disabilities and Camping Challenges

As a stroke-survivor, my husband has the typical foot-drop, which makes walking a chore. Although he wears a foot-brace and uses a cane, going up and down slopes or over paths with tree roots sticking up, would be risky, and chances are he'd fall. Just getting to the restroom at some campgrounds would not be possible for him. And the disability-friendly spots near the restrooms are usually already taken. But who really wants to camp next to the public toilets?

Another challenge with tent camping is the sleeping situation. With very limited use of one side of his body, my husband is unable to get up off the floor by himself. If he were to get down into his sleeping bag, it would take me as a counter-balance, to get him back up. The two of us might be successful; we might not be. It usually takes a major piece of furniture for him to brace against in order to get up, from down.

And if the man had to use the restroom in the middle of the night, that would certainly be a challenge. I would need to help get him to his feet--if I could. But without his foot-brace on, he would have to use his walker. The walker's little wheels would get stuck in the dirt--if he could even push it through the woods with his good hand, while holding the flashlight. All I could see were challenges and more challenges.

Creative Solutions for Tent Camping Challenges

Tent camping requires a certain amount of ambulation or some very creative solutions. I found those creative solutions and put them into practice. My husband and I successfully managed our first night of tent camping in over 5 years.

How did we manage it? I bought a cabin tent that required no bending over to go in or out. I packed a portable commode with attached handlebars and set it up inside the tent, complete with wet wipes. He had no reason to trek to the restrooms. Since we only stayed one trial night, we didn't worry about how he would get around in the men's showers.

Next, I bought a large cot with sturdy aluminum legs and an air mattress for the top. It gave him a bed up off the ground and gave him an edge to sit on in order to put on his foot-brace. With these three adjustments--the cabin tent, the cot, and the commode, tent camping became doable for us again.

If you have crossed-off tent camping because of a stroke or physical disability, you might want to reconsider. With a few creative solutions, there might just be a way for you to enjoy an overnighter at a campground. Bring on the campfire and Smores!