Helen and Lance: saggy mattress

DISABLED pensioner Helen Boemia enjoyed her three-week holiday at a South Australian caravan park ... but has made an impassioned plea for better beds.

Helen and husband Lance booked a disabled unit at the popular ocean-side Edithburgh Caravan Park on the Yorke Peninsula and all was going well ... until she attempted to climb into the queen-size bed.

"It was supplied with comfy bedding but I found it very difficult to push myself up on the very low and saggy mattress," she complained to Caravanning News.

"Disabled people need a strong innerspring mattress of the right height to enable us to swing over and rise easily.

"I happily admit the bathroom was wonderful, plenty of grab rails and shower seat provided."

But Helen, who relies on a walking frame to get around, was also disappointed that the unit lacked a special chair to watch television. "Luckily the manager loaned us one which, although not designed for the disabled, had strong arms on it which helped," she said.

Helen is now considering contacting the Yorke Peninsula District Council in a bid to ensure aged pensioners are well catered for in the region.

"I hope the council will check on caravan parks as all we seniors with special needs are entitled to a good night's sleep," she said.

But despite the hiccups, Helen admitted she and Lance had enjoyed a "wonderful" holiday at the four-star park.

"Full credit to managers who were very helpful. We enjoyed a mainly happy time there but I was glad to get home to my own bed and comfy disabled-designed chair."

The couple once owned their own caravan and looked forward to annual holidays. "Several times we met up with the same friendly people that caravan parks are known for," Helen explained.

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