Grandfather has walking disability want to take him to a nice restaurant

[down hearted]

My grandfather's birthday is coming up this month, due to an injury when he was young he has difficulty in walking he needs to use a trolley like push (i don't know what is called) to move around and physically walk because one of his legs is stiff and he can't move it well due to spine issues. He is quite the fighter though and an optimistic one at that, he refuses to give into a wheelchair and does not give up on his walking no matter how difficult his condition is on his leg he even has got this bicycle like petal thing to exercise his legs on his own while home. His 75th birthday is coming up and i really wanted to make it special and take him to somewhere nice to have lunch since he rarely goes anywhere due to his uncomfortable situation it is hard and the places to go is limited. However, i feel he has the right to still experience a nice time at a nice place for dining thats not disney to enjoy. I really want to treat him and my grandmother for lunch, they are really important to me and everyone always seems to just give up with him since its so difficult for him to move that one leg and is so unfair to him when he, himself does not give up on himself. He still fights for his own happiness and never lets this take over his life, he is very cheerful and the best advice giver and truly one of my best friends and i really want to do something special for him since am here visiting while my husband is deployed.

 

Am just concerned that many restaurants will not be disability friendly, is there a way to find disability friendly restaurants in the US. any thoughts? Or list of restaurants you would treat your grandparents to in the US? What about the cheesecake factory is that friendly with folks that have disabilities such as my grandfather's?

 

i really appreciate it a ton!

[Tayla]

As a Person who has dealt with physically challenged adults, its admirable that your grandfather maintains his sense of independence. He needs to learn to be gracious and humble with current ambulatory aides. A wheelchair for public access is not an intrusion to his skill to walk. It assists to get them thru some slippery and awkward obsticles. All it takes is one good fall with a walker to wipe out a bone. He needs to be realistic when offered a celebratory dinner. You are a wonderfull granddaughter to honor him. Most dining places have door drop off and a staff member can be a guide to see him thru the maze of tables. Call ahead and ask for a table closer to the entry. May your family time be enjoyed!

[CC12]

I would guess that any chain-type restaurant would be very diligent about accessibility. You'd probably be fine going to any of those. Just call first to ask about it, and maybe they'll let you reserve a good table for him.

 

The only issue I can see arising is that sometimes the ramps are a bit long and they go back and forth across the front of the building a couple of times so that they're not too steep, you know? I don't know how far your grandfather can walk, but you might want to ask about the ramp when you call, or even drive by first and take note of where the handicapped parking spaces are, if the parking lot is even, how long the ramp is, etc.\

 

Hope you guys have fun.

[down hearted]

i really appreciate so much you guys responding i really want to take him out, he is so much fun to be around with !!!

 

Tayla:

 

Thank you Tayla! , he uses a wheelchair when we go to disney but overall he likes to exercise his legs, he feels that exercising is good for him to keep active, he feels that once he gets used to a wheelchair he won't leave it alone since things become a little easier for him (we tried convincing him to use a wheelchair) but he disagrees because he doesn't want to loose the little bit of strength in his legs that he has left by seating down (he is very stubborn).

 

CC12:

 

He can walk but really slowly (he tells you, don't worry am almost there, i'll be there in no time jokingly while he is going at a snail pace lol, when we stand waiting for him at the end, he is too cute and always laughing, love him so much!)

 

you guys are right about the ramp, with that he will easily be able to get to the door at least and i will be there to help him get through the tables, people are rude to stare at times though . I love the elderly because we all eventually end up there and my grandmother the other day i asked her ( grandma why on earth do you go to the doctor so much every single week, she says "when you get to my age you will see, everything starts going bonkers hahaha so cute!)

 

p.s. my grandpa got me out of a speeding ticket once, he made the cop laugh so much he just let me go after he was so mean to me lol

[d0nnivain]

If you are in the US, every place of public accomodation (a restaurant is such a place) MUST be handicapped accessible or risk fines for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

My parents had mobility challanges for years. Just pick up your grandparents, & drive them whereever. If they have handicapped placards or plates, take their car. Drop them as close to the door as possible before you go park.

 

Some people prefer to sit by the door for a shorter initial walk. Some like to be by the bathroom for convenience. Tell the host/ess your Grandparents' preference & have a nice lunch. Reverse the process going home.

[Criticality]

Generally speaking, the more expensive and upscale a place is, the fewer tables and more room there is. Don't know your local area, but look up the top five restaurants there and check them out in person.

[Lokie]

Donnivain has already noted that all public places in the US require disabled access, along with some other good advice.

 

My Dad uses a walker and it can be challenging to get him in and out of places. What I have noted is that he prefers to be close to the opening to the restaurant without having to creek around the restaurant on display, so to speak. Hopefully, the restroom is also close to the front, as that also is a consideration.

 

I also suggest calling the restaurant ahead and reserving a preferred table, and to speak to them about accessibility. My Dad is like your Grandfather. He's a big jokester and everyone falls in love with him and bends over backwards to help him.

 

Enjoy your time with him, and big hugs for honoring him.

[Tayla]

I seriously think some folks need to read up on the rules and exceptions before making a blanket statement about ADA regulations. The above statements are not all together accurate.

 

Enjoyed the granddaughters attitude towards elders. Its so missed in this society! Your grandfather is a sprite chap! He is good to keep his spirits up and his motivation in tact. Patience is a virtue that this man emulates....Slow and steady is the key. My Mom was slow to walk...but god bless her for wanting to get out and about....towards the end of her time here on earth....she simply stopped...People were sooo very unkind in their comments to her..It broke my heart ..... So please enjoy your grand parents....

[Lokie]

OK, well certainly in California this is true. Not sure about the rest of the country.

[carhill]

Nice restaurant + special occasion = call ahead and discuss accessibility and location to make your grandfather's birthday as pleasant and joyful as possible. Restaurant owners deal with this kind of stuff all the time.

 

I recall taking my MIL at the time, who was nearly 80 at that point, to a local 'place' in NYC and, even though a well-known hangout of celebs, the owners, also elderly themselves, still answered the phone and were there to meet and greet customers and take care of their needs. As it turned out, Nancy Sinatra and a partner were dining a couple tables away, which made MIL's evening, her only such trip to NYC, a memorable one. MIL also had some mobility issues and I handled her walker during the trip when she was otherwise ambulatory. We just worked things out and took it as it came. One challenge was helping her up and down the stairs at the restaurant, as it was in an old building and the bathrooms were downstairs.

 

I hope you and your grandfather have a memorable birthday. He's fortunate to have a caring and thoughtful granddaughter. Good luck!