as a person who usually moves in an electric wheelchair, there are a lot of things I'm used to do it a little differently. Travel is no exception. If you go to travel soon or to join a companion with a disability in the near future, there are a lot of things to think about.
as anything else in life, difficult does not mean not feasible. You just need to be prepared and know what to expect. You need oxygen, accommodation for your service animal or for help with a wheelchair and learning to your place, take care to indicate to the company ahead, so you can get the help you need and get on with jet set.
respiratory oxygen is a fairly little-known activity of life. Do us everyday and give it without thinking either. Perhaps the only time that we really noticed is when something does not work well.
If you need oxygen, you know how it is. However, we know also that the oxygen and jet fuel is a dangerous combination, so it is important to take precautions adequate when you travel.
If you need oxygen, the airlines can do because the FAA not allowed to bring your own bottle on the plane. What you can bring is a portable oxygen concentrator. Instead of making their own oxygen, these concentrated oxygen from the atmosphere nearby. The FAA has a list of approved devices.
service animals
I have not one animal but, service for people I know who the animal is beyond best friend and fully an extension of the body and the person's physical abilities. Therefore, it is a good thing that service animals are allowed in the cabin on flights.
according to my experience, they are usually some of the animals more mild-mannered in the world thanks to their rigorous training. However, just as a flight can be a stressful experience for you, it has the potential to panic to your companion on all fours as well.
I hope that you actually have an advantage in this area because, unlike other animals that be on the flight, your companion will be with you rather than in the luggage compartment, so you can keep them quiet and comfortable. That said, it is important to take a few basic steps to prepare for the trip with your service animal.
- make sure the airline (and accommodation) know you are bringing your service animal. This allows to avoid surprises.
- make a trip to the vet to make sure that the animal is up to date with vaccinations. Locate a veterinarian local and emergency in the case where your pet is injured or ill during the flight, or at any other time during the trip.
- If your pet has a nose softened, he will not be able to fly because the animals with this disease often have breathing difficulties, and this can be aggravated by high altitudes. Check with your veterinarian to evaluate your animal flying ability.
Wheeling Around Town
when you spend the majority of your life in a wheelchair rolling, at some point the president becomes a part of you. Not only is your mode of travel, but it is often heavily adapted to your needs.
, I say all this because being in a different city without their own Chair is a real pain in the neck for some people. If you're going to go somewhere, you want to ensure that the President is going with you.
air transport
personally, I never flew with my electric wheelchair, but I have a friend who believes he did a dozen times. I gave Jeff a call.
A power chair can be a bit heavy and difficult to manage. My friends always have to work on the best handles just to raise the last few steps. Now imagine trying to get it in the cargo hold. Jeff says: you want to minimize the risk of damage.
"I advise you to remove all components that you can remove, as things that can potentially break off," said. "If it can be removed, you must remove it."
the parts that can be easily removed will vary according to the flesh, but can include the head rest, footrest, containers of cargo, etc.
Airlines have different policies on the batteries. They may have to be disconnected. Airlines need to know how to handle this safely, but in the case where you have to do, to review the instructions in the manual of the Chair before departing for the airport. Also, you should be able to tell them what type of battery you have. You can also have instructions on how to put the Chair in manual mode.
so, what's the worst-case scenario? How about if the President goes into the bad air? This seems unlikely, but that's exactly what happened to Jeff.
it tells the story of d-day in Oklahoma City, only to discover his chair sat 800 miles away in Chicago. Fortunately for Jeff, they had him on the next direct flight and he took his chair in about six hours, but you can mark your chair with the appropriate flight number and destination. Durable medical equipment like this can cost as much as a decent used car, and you don't want to take the risk of losing.
rolling Out
once you arrive at your destination, to less than what you want to see and to do either on foot, you'll need transportation. This requires some advanced planning.
make sure that you are looking for van hire agencies to your destination. There are also a few networks national van rental. Really make sure that your budget for this one, because I can say to you to make the experience is not cheap for accessible transportation, but it may be a necessity.
hotel
when you arrive at the hotel, you have to be prepared to go through a mental checklist. Jeff took me through her, beginning with basic space considerations.
"I have certainly check it out to make sure that it is larger than the standard room, because if you have booked a room with a place to stay, you pay for it," said.
beyond from simply having a place to put one Chair wheelchair or other equipment, Jeff says to look at the way the room is arranged so that you can maximize your function within this. The beds are too close together or too far apart to easily transfer of the Presidency? Understand how best to maneuver throughout the room.
power Up
when I go places, I have my fair share of hardware and General things that must go with me. Of course, there are the usual things such as clothes, phone charger and sunscreen, but when you have a disability, it is important to remember that there is another set of concerns.
my ideal personal list of things I love traveling with includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
- Chair wheel loader
- Walker (in my case, only not for the market.) It gives me something to remember in the toilet).
- coating shelf to watch so the plates do not move me to fork restaurants of the big handle
, it can also be more difficult if you have a physical challenge to use public restrooms easily straws. If you think you're going to be in this situation, Pack your backup plan.
the list of things needed will depend on the person and disability. If you need medication, absolutely don't forget them.
plan in advance
If you take one thing out of this article, I hope it is the fact that there is no substitute advanced planning. I will not say that you can go anywhere, since zip lining through the Amazon would probably be an excursion that is difficult for a person with a disability (or someone else besides), but a lot can be accomplished if you think it advances.
advanced planning prevents you to limit yourself unnecessarily. One of the philosophies that we here at Quicken Loans is not "Before Yes." It's something I've tried to adopt in my personal life - forever me take look more near the things before decide me that's not for me. Still one of my favorites? "We will understand it." That's the key here with the trip. The know more you beforehand, the easier it will be to do all sorts of things.
the above is true if you have a disability or not, and if your destination is the United States or an adjustment for a world traveler.
you have any tips for other readers? We'd love to see them in the comments.