I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?

WanderMan · Post by **WanderMan** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:29 pm

Hi guys, this will be my first time at burning man, and I'm worried about this whole "radical self reliance" because I'm handicapped.

I walk with a limp and I'm in constant pain from my feet. I cannot walk very well or very far and I can't carry anything very heavy (like for example camping equipment). That means that without my car, I won't be able to get around inside the camp, much less set up my own campsite.

What can I do? There must have been other attendees who had problems like this in the past.

Is there a section of burning man specifically designed to meet the needs of people with handicaps?

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:36 pm

As to your last question, the entire playa is accessible.

You're not giving all the information necessary to provide a good answer to your other questions. How do you get around now? Do you use a chair? Do you have a motorized conveyance other than a car? Can you get it to the playa?

Getting help is never a problem at Burning Man. The issue that concerns me is your mobility after you're there.

flatlander13 · Post by **flatlander13** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:42 pm

You should look at this

http://forms.burningman.com/disabledq2009/ The Deadline is 31Jul09

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:50 pm

Hello, and welcome to e-playa. Yes there are facilities and camps that can help you. Just use the search function at the page header.

I may not have the right names, Gimpsville and Whellie camp may help. Accessable porta-potties are located on the guide map you'll be given at the gate.

Any Ranger will direct you or arrange assistance. Med camp is located in the inner circle. There are satellite first aid and Ranger outposts at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock.

Ask any burner, most will help without too much cajoling...Mutant vehicles might be able to give you a lift. Its up to you to make arrangements.

I've seen wheelchairs towed by bikes, pushed by volunteers, hauled on trailers, powered by electricity. Some bring golfcarts registered with playa DMV with handicap placard and sticker. Read the survival guide and tips for newbies.

It's all here somewhere.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:58 pm

The two camps I know of are Vedges and Gimps and Hotwheelz. I am under the impression that Vedges and Gimps will NOT be on the playa this year unless Gargoyles partner handles it. Gargoyle advised that he will likely not be making it this year. I have contact information for Hotwheelz so send me a PM and I'll get ya the email. Bring some decent tires for your chair, theres a thread on here somewhere where we posted links to various places that sell wheel upgrades for chairs. Bring extra pain meds, make sure whoever you camp with is aware of your limitations, make sure you have a backup plan in case you have a "meltdown". BM is taxing on the body when healthy, with questionable health its even harder on the body. I have RSD/CRPS in my right foot but I manage. I may not get around as much as others but with proper planning I can get to see alot of the art I want to. The heat will likely increase swelling in your leg so make sure to elevate and such accordingly. Be sure to get advice from your doctor specific to your injury and your participation at BM. Temps can go as high as 120+ and down to the 30s at night. Feel free to drop me a line with any questions. Just remember above all else to know your limitations and try not to exceed them.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:12 pm

If you have a handicapped placard you can get it to the Department of Mutant Vehicles and use one on-playa. I don't know when that option closes, but I do know you can't just show up on-playa with your placard and be good to go; it happens in advance.
If you have particular problems that you might want to discuss with the BRC medical team, the email is 911 at burningman dot com. Talk to your doctor as well. YOu will be in heat (no humidity at least) and at 4000'. Take it easy if you're not used to that.
Last year was a b.i.t.c.h. with the playa surface. I got stuck multiple times in my wheelchair. People will pull you out, but it's frustrating.

Artemis · Post by **Artemis** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:06 pm

Wanderman -

It wasn't clear to me if you thought that you need to park in one place and camp somewhere else. You can pull your car right up to the spot that you're going to camp. I actually used my car as part of my camp (windblock, storage for items not needed often etc.) After you've driven into where you're camping though, it's shouldn't move again until you're leaving the city.

Unless of course, if you can get a disabled permit, then you can use it to get around as well.

Good luck!

pizzamancer · Post by **pizzamancer** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:17 pm

I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?

Fuck Yes! Just get a fire hot enough and you will burn.

(No idea what the others were talking about)

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:30 pm

Well, almost all of the playa is accessible.

The mans base was hard to climb, but worth it, Thunderdome would be accessible if you get there first and get up close. There are plenty of accessible porta-potties around at every bank of crappers. I know of people with disabilities out there that blow the mind.

If you have means to get a wheeled vehicle other than your ride in it will be worth it. Golf cart, three wheeler, etc that's your best bet. I have even seen rickshaws where the owner is the passenger, and they solicit mules to pull them around. It works.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:32 pm

Artemis wrote:After you've driven into where you're camping though, it's shouldn't move again until you're leaving the city.

Unless of course, if you can get a disabled permit, then you can use it to get around as well.

Good luck!

But ONLY cars.. trucks, rvs, atvs, motorcycles etc are not permitted. Golf carts are allowed as well as powered chairs. You also must drive 5MPH in the city if you plan on driving. Also try to be VERY careful, alot of pedestrians and bicyclists about. Certainly more than you're used to and they almost always walk/ride everywhere along the streets.

http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/ ... iving.html

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:41 pm

WanderMan wrote:Hi guys, this will be my first time at burning man...

Have you camped anywhere at all, ever? Been to any kind of desert?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:14 pm

My personal opinion is that you might use a disability license for anything that you can safely handle.
But in some cases, that might not include a car.

The smaller a vehicle is, the easier it is to handle in traffic out there.
While an enclosed vehicle is very welcome in a storm, it will be harrowing at other times.
There is always dust on both sides of the windshield, so night driving can be harrowing.
Even unlit morons have the right of way.
Many areas are not accessible to a wide vehicle or so frustrating as to limit access.

If you can handle it, I think the ideal vehicle is an electric bike.
HOWEVER, there is some question of how narrow a tire will work this year, even with adequate power.

Be prepared for very dense traffic.
Think Cairo at noon.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=26065

These tires work in dust.
You want wide, smooth tires for deep dust.

I have seen 3 and 4 wheel scooters and wheelchairs go everywhere in the past, but conditions were worse last year.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:24 pm

Golf carts are allowed as well as powered chairs. You also must drive 5MPH in the city if you plan on driving. Also try to be VERY careful, alot of pedestrians and bicyclists about. Certainly more than you're used to and they almost always walk/ride everywhere along the streets.

Very important!!
It is actually 5 mph or LESS!!
depending on conditions.

In a car, you will be the slowest thing on the road.
And smoother tires raise less dust on a car too.

Be sure to acclimate to the road when you leave.
You get used to those long braking times.

And you can't drink at all if you are using a car.

And you really need additional lighting for the sides of a vehicle, though no one will insist.
Many pedestrians aren't too bright.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sat May 23, 2009 1:24 pm

> Many pedestrians aren't too bright.

:->

mrs yow · Post by **mrs yow** » Mon May 25, 2009 1:37 pm

WanderMan--I drive a three wheel electric mobility scooter. It usually does fine, but last year the drifts chewed through the power in minutes, making it basically worthless. Luckily I can walk a bit, and I camp with a group that brings a few small art cars, but even the most able-bodied of my camp-mates spent a lot more of their time in camp or in the immediate neighborhood.
Do you have know some folks that you can camp with? That way the sturdier members of camp can get your stuff set up, and you can make the camp a better place with your unique and extraordinary skills. If not, I would try to find a group before you get out there, because the playa is a harsh place, and the first time you are there it can be especially overwhelming.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:15 pm

pizzamancer wrote:
I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?

Fuck Yes! Just get a fire hot enough and you will burn.

(No idea what the others were talking about)

That's Wanderman, not Wickerman!

JulzQ1 · Post by **JulzQ1** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:32 am

WanderMan wrote:Hi guys, this will be my first time at burning man, and I'm worried about this whole "radical self reliance" because I'm handicapped.

I walk with a limp and I'm in constant pain from my feet. I cannot walk very well or very far and I can't carry anything very heavy (like for example camping equipment). That means that without my car, I won't be able to get around inside the camp, much less set up my own campsite.

What can I do? There must have been other attendees who had problems like this in the past.

Is there a section of burning man specifically designed to meet the needs of people with handicaps?

My fiance is also disabled. He wears leg braces & can only walk short distances. He also can't lift anything heavy & has bad dexterity.

I'd suggest camping with friends who can help you set up and tear down. If you don't know anyone who's planning on going this year, try looking for a camp who can assist you. Don't go at it alone. While Burning Man is all about self reliance, it's also about working within your capacity and means. While there will be plenty of people out there who'd help you in a heartbeat if you do camp alone, my inclination is to go with a plan of attack before heading out there, so you're not in a pinch, stranded, etc.

With my fiance and I...I do most of the prep for the actual burn- carrying, lifting, setting up, tearing down etc. and am HAPPY to do it all for him. It brings me great joy to know that I can help him in that fashion. However, if I wasn't in the picture, he would definitely camp with someone who could assist him with what he needs.

He purchased a GoPed Bigfoot to get around on the playa the last year we went. It's tires are fatter than a traditional GoPed so it handles the surface of the playa with greater ease. Your needs may vary depending on if you can stand for extended periods. The Bigfoot is a standing go ped but you can also purchase one that you can sit on. I believe if you have a seated Goped, you need to get a placard from the Department of Mutant Vehicle- stating that you are disabled. We bought our Goped used off Craigslist for $200.

The GoPed was amazing. It allowed him to see the whole playa without being completely worn out by day 2, and gave him the mobility and freedom he wanted. If you can afford it, definitely go motorized...it will open up more possibilities for you! Good luck!

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:05 am

Julz, you go on now and git rid o dat man o yours and you come marry me.

JulzQ1 · Post by **JulzQ1** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:11 am

lol! Sounds good, what do I get out of the arrangement?

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:23 am

Ponies and butterflies!

Oreally? · Post by **Oreally?** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:52 pm

Get a Segway. Our camp's gimp loves his. His feet don't hurt, cause he can't feel them.

POWERCHAIR · Post by **POWERCHAIR** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:27 am

........

I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?

I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?

Re: I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?

Re: I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?

Re: I'm Handicapped, will I be able to Burn?