This post has been updated as of February 2022. If you are looking for Resort fashion for people who wear afos or orthotics, go here
The fantasy of a tropical escape from the freezing winter is what powers many people through another 4 inches of snow to shovel or their extra long commute home from work on ice covered roads. Think resort. Think swimming. Think vacation!
My husband and I love going to all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. The weather is always perfect, and we get to truly relax without having to really plan or think.
For us, one of the best parts of getting away is the planning. It’s our vacation foreplay. We love using sites like Tripadvisor to scan through photos and traveler reviews. At this stage of planning, the sky truly is the limit!
This year we chose the Secrets Akumal Resort in Riviera Maya. The resort was breathtaking and lived up to its many 5-star reviews. The service, beach, entertainment, and even the food was amazing.
But, our favorite part of any resort – the main pool – was missing an essential element… A WAY TO GET IN & OUT. Yeah, I know. No biggy if you don’t wear AFOs. Well, Girlfriend, I do.
I have since learned my lesson. Here are a few resort tips for sunbathers with physical disabilities:
Tip #1 ZOOM IN
The Secrets Akumal Resort is only two years old and has a very modern and clean design. Had I zoomed in on the pool photos, I might have noticed that the infinity pool was not the accessible, zero entry kind.
I expected the pool to have ankle-deep water that gradually got deeper the further one walked. Instead, the main pool with the only swim-up bar had steep staircases without a single handrail for assistance.
Although I have to wear two AFOs (leg braces) due to a neuromuscular disorder, it had never occurred to me to use key phrases such as “disability friendly” or “wheelchair accessible” in my vacation research. I will from now on.
Tip #2 CALL THE HOTEL
Many travel agents and companies get their information from resort websites and stock photos. Unless they have personally visited, they have no more information than you do.
Before deciding on a resort, bypass the agents and centralized reservation call center by calling the resort directly.
I have found that the resort concierges speak fluent English and will happily answer questions like “Which building is closest to the main pool?” or “Does the pool have a handrail and stairs?” Make sure to write down the concierge’s name as you can use it for the next tip.
Tip #3 VIP LIKE A PRINCESS
If you spoke to a concierge person before arriving at the resort, ask for him or her at check-in. Or, if the resort you are staying at has a VIP or Preferred Club and it doesn’t break the bank, it may be worth it for the perks.
A $20 token of appreciation to a staff member on day one goes a long way. They will be more than happy to reserve prime lounge chairs with easy access to the pool, and they will make sure your every need is met.
Tip #4 BE CREATIVE
While we were at the Secrets Resort without the stairway handrail, I didn’t want to rely on my husband’s assistance each time I exited the pool. I wanted a swimming vacation. Independent of assistance. So, instead, I took a large foam raft (the resort had many floating around the pool) and laid it on the hard cement at the top of the stairs.
When I was ready to get out of the pool, I scooched my butt to the top using the raft as a cushion for my hands and knees to get into a standing position.
TIP #5 DRINK
When navigating the open terrain of these glossy, modern resorts becomes too challenging, don’t feel defeated if you opt to resign to your lounger. Take advantage of the excuse to have people bring you fancy cocktails, and enjoy them (guilt free) while you soak up the sun!
You’re in paradise; time to make the most of it! And if you’re curious how to look like a vacationing goddess, I’ve got some tips and tricks to help with that as well. Hey, I’m a girl helping a girl with fashion, comfort, and fun!
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I am so sorry, but I am desperately looking for the post about diy AFO liner for plastic AFOs. My daughter is miserable. Any help finding the old post would be hugely appreciated.
Hi Jessica,
This is Lainie. Here is a link to them. Please lmk how it goes. https://www.diabeticsock.com/afolinermax.html
I wear custom plastic AFO’s and I was miserable at first but I ordered some snowboarding socks from Amazon. They have extra padding in the heal and shin . I also found that keen shoes are the best for us who can’t wear traditional afo’s Ski Socks Women Men,Thermal Skiing & Snowboard Socks, Cold Weather, Winter Performance Socks 2-Pack https://a.co/d/hxM6Q4L.
Thanks so much Jeanette! I appreciate your recommendations
I thought I posted to you, I’m new at this . Ski Socks Women Men,Thermal Skiing & Snowboard Socks, Cold Weather, Winter Performance Socks 2-Pack https://a.co/d/hxM6Q4L . I started out with allared braces but I still couldn’t walk so my orthotist did a custom fit for plastic AFO’s and I was miserable at first! I have found that keen shoes and boots are the best. Also if she will be sitting for awhile just have her loosen the Velcro attachment’s until she needs to walk again. I’m walking in a 5k on July 10th. And I always wear these socks!
I wear an AFO on one leg due to an incomplete spinal cord injury. I had a silicone AFO made around 6 months ago that I can wear in the pool. I had made all the difference! I know this wouldn’t work for everyone but it was a game changer for me. I can take my six year old to the pool on my own now. Mine was made by Ottobock through my local orthotist.
Hi Alexa,
Thanks so much for sharing your tip! It definitely will inspire someone to try that option. Thanks for reading ! Lainie
Hi Lainie,
Love your blog!
I exercise in the pool as much as possible and am now in Florida for the winter. Lots of pool time! I have severe foot drop as well as big toes that drag. I use AFOs to walk. For the pool, I wear neoprene wraps (Aider) that keep my toes up. I also wear water shoes to protect them from the pool bottom. They work great! You can use a cane to get as close as you can to the side or the stairs and just leave it there. If you can put a chair up close for when you get out, that’s even better. I am learning that no one else cares how you look when you wear braces.
Hi Rachel,
Thanks so much for reading!!! These days I am also fortunate enough to be a Snowbird in Florida. If you are near Sarasota area definitely reach out. Your tips are awesome! Especially the part about the tape to keep your toes up as I do not have this problem many people do & you’ve given me an option to tell others! Thank you! Enjoy sunny Florida! Xo Lainie
I’m in Venice – so close to you. Also from Michigan – so close to you there as well. Keep up the good work! Rachel
I would love to meet up sometime !
? Akumal! I went in 2005 wayyyy before it got big. It was a dirt road with chickens running around haha. There was this really awesome natural place for snorkeling. We stayed in Playa Del Carmen, but the whole area is great!
Loving your blog! Found you by doing a random search looking for some tips for sandals and boom there you were. Only done thing is i dont see any men with blogs like this. I may need to start one!
Hi Russell,
I love that you found me through a random search. Thanks for reaching out & following on Facebook. I did write a mens post on shoes awhile ago but there seems to be less interest in fashion from male afo wearers. I’ll try again! But obviously the general info applies to all. If you ever have any questions or need help finding something, please reach out.
Hi Lanie, thanks for the wonderful post! I truly appreciate your input on all things — invisible. I am planning a vacation with my high schooler (freshman) and while he isn’t to thrilled about going, we really need to get away. Will be visiting Florida to see my sister and mom, and I am a little anxious about getting through the airport. I haven’t travelled since my I got my AFO (I am on my third style, in about a year). What advice can you recommend for managing walking through the terminal and getting on/off plane? Also, I would like to hit up one of the theme parks with my sister and son. Any recommendations on spending the day at Universal Studios? I will not be able to walk for any extended period of time without my cane (its very fashionable, blue with lovely peacocks on it), since I get pretty tired by the end of the day. Thanks again!
Jessica,
Hi….First, thank you so much for reading & commenting. ? Lucky kid..What do you mean he isn’t thrilled about going? I get the need to get away & you will have the best time.
First, the airport thing is not a big deal at all. As soon as you get up to the screening where people take off their shoes, just tell the TSA person standing there that you wear a brace & can’t take them off to walk. Believe me, they hear this every day and understand. They will have you walk through and sit on a chair. A female worker will Put on gloves and do a swab test of your hands and the brace to make sure it’s not an explosive. She will quickly pat you down & send you on your way. Have your son walk-through right before you and tell him to grab your bag while this process happens. It takes just a few minutes .
Second, universal Studios is amazing and even more so when you get to skip the lines because of your disability. You need to get a doctors letter that explains your condition before going. When you get to the park, you will go to the special services building (Google Universal Disability) for exact instructions. There, you will show them the doctors note, they will see your cane, and you can rent a wheelchair for the day. They will hand you a special skip the lines pass which will allow you and six other people you’re traveling with, also skip the lines.
I hope this helps, please reach out if you have any other questions
Please send me an email direct info@box2387.temp.domains if I can try to answer other questions.
Hi Lainie, I’m very new to this site and would like to share something from my recent visit with my neuromuscular neurologist. I am on my 3rd set of braces which I would like to burn! I will be 70 in May, live in Arizona, and wearing sox, gaunlet leather braces, then shoving my foot into a shoe which will accommodate the whole mess. So I asked my dr, can I wear work boots? I almost cried when she said yes, but with my orthodics AND she said I could wear cowboy boots also, not soft ones, the hard ones with a flat heel. If I’m having problems I can go to an external brace. So far I have found pink, gray, blue, black, brown and the yellow-ish color. She also suggested hicking boots with lots of firmness and support. Cannot wait to shop, i will have challenges with skinny narrow feet with collasped ankles.
That’s so cool and very exciting I get it to find you can now wear things you thought you couldn’t. Please share a photo on the Facebook page sometime so others can see.
I just your site from Facebook. I also wear the blue rockers. I see you can wear them with sandals? You don’t have problems with it? I miss wearing them in the summer. What brand are they?
Thanks
Hi,
I had the Orthotist line the back of them in a breathable moleskin type fabric. The fabric is black and blends right in. I wore sandals also when I had the hard kind with AFO liners. LMK if that helps. Thanks for writing ?
I just spoke to your mom. I suspected you were her daughter and my second cousin, so I called her to verify. Many people suffer unseen disabilities ranging in degrees. The problems these disabilities cause in everyday life are many. The problem of pool entry and exiting at major Mexican and American resorts hit home. I am a swimmer. While I can still jump in off the side, I cannot exit feeling secure. There are no handrails at those stairs. There are slippery stairs and decks which have made shower clogs or ocean shoes a must pack. In one of the hresorts in Mexico, there are steep stair cases down to the lavatories. The stair treads are the depth of a kid’s shoe. This is a great idea you have. I’m glad your mom shared it with me on FB. I look forward to other posts.
Thanks Linda. I just saw this. My mom must have been super excited to hear from you before she passed away soon after.
Which AFOs are you wearing, Lainie? Also, I LOVE your sandals and those cute black sneakers with the studs. Who makes those? I wear Helios AFOs and while they are amazing in the support and energy-return aspects, shoes and pants are a bit of a challenge. Maybe I need a second pair of AFOs to expand my wardrobe options?!
Hi Joy,
I just saw this. Great talking to you and your peeps yesterday. Thank you again for finding me. ? I know you now know but for others, they are the blue rocker brace by Allard.
I wear those same AFOs but how do you wear saddles ???so far I have only found runners that fit
Hi Charlotte,
I’m not sure if you meant to ask Joy or me but you can wear Sandles with both the plastic white afos & the kind I wear. Here is the link to the posts I wrote on the subject. https://www.trend-able.com/7-hacks-for-orthotics-afos/
Lmk if you have questions?