Welcome to your family!  I'm sure if you browse through this forum you will find many answers to questions.  If you don't there are many folks on  here with lots of info.  I know there are some who also travel with disabilities or health issues.  If you have not looked through RVillage.com yet, there is a group there in which others also share your concerns.

Sounds like you're getting a great plan together.  Attending a rally in the future would be a great idea too!

 

Paul,

Welcome to the RV Dreams forums.  You have a definite advantage that you have a good amount of time to do your research.  You will find the folks here to be very knowledgeable about a lot of information about RV's and the RV lifestyle.  Feel free to ask questions as we all tend to learn from each other.  Don't worry about "dumb" questions because the only dumb ones are those that DON'T get asked and the individual learns costly or time consuming lessons because they failed to ask that question.

The only topics we don't discuss here are politics and religion.  For obvious reasons.

Enjoy the learning and researching process.  When looking at RV's, imagine yourselves doing the normal day-to-day chores in each area of the RV.  Would the arrangement of the kitchen be beneficial for preparing meals?  Would the location of the bathroom sink and shower cause any problems?  How about the height of the shower head?  Also, keep in mind that the frame, suspension, axles, wheels and tires are the very foundation of the RV, so make sure those are of good quality, size, and strength.

Terry

Welcome Paul, Maribeth, and Emily! This is a great place to learn and connect with great people.

I am a Special Education Teacher and I love how you are planning with your daughter. How is she with maps? Plan to get a map of the USA for the trailer so she can track your travels. My favorite item for our trailer is a notebook/scrapbook that documents our travels. Start talking now about what she would like to be in charge of and have fun buying the the supplies. She can send away for pamphlets and information over the next couple of years to start getting all of you prepared. Getting mail is a thrill when it is not bills. Even though she has been camping all of her life, talk about the differences now and it will make the future easier.

Kittie.

 

Emily does pretty well.   With a lot of advocacy on our part, she received a mainstreamed education through grade 12.  Taking regular but modified courses in each area and only spending one or two periods a day in the Special Ed classroom.  As a result, she reads on about the fifth grade level and tends to appreciate entertainment geared to adults a bit more than kids shows.  Unfortunately, the level of services available once a child ages out of secondary school was never great and is now being further limited due to budgetary constraints.   This factors into our plan to retire early and go on the road for a few years.

I would imagine that she will most enjoy the outdoor life (easy hikes, kayaking, etc) which she has enjoyed for most of her life.  As well as general sightseeing, cooking, and her music and TV once she is on the road.   

We did  a presentation at TASH  (which is an advocacy group comprised of individuals with disabilities, caregivers and educators) a few years ago on developing a person centered inclusive curriculum and Emily more than held up her own on a panel comprised of the consultant who worked with our school to design her program, Emily and her parents.   I could see us putting together a similar presentation about life on the road once we have some experience to share.