Big Travel – Secret Tips for Surviving Long Trips
I’ve fielded so many questions about airline travel, especially those 10 hour flights, that it deserves to be a yearly topic. It’s the big trips that most people are interested in, and also the ones that present the most challenge for people with disabilities. Well today we’re going to uncover some tips from some travelers who have been there and done that in hopes it will dispel some of fears that keep people from exploring the world. – Chad W.
ASHLEY LYN OLSON (wheelchairtraveling.com)
Ashley is a T-12 para living in the San Francisco Bay Area of California who founded wheelchairtraveling.com in 2006 to empower people with limited mobility, their friends and loved ones to experience the world of accessible leisure and adventure travel. Ashley is a world traveler with New Zealand, Alaska and Japan being some of the favorite destinations she’s been to thus far, and having seen the good, bad and ugly aspects of travel, she continues to be motivated to explore. A personal interest and primary focus for Ashley is documenting accessibility in nature, especially hiking trails, parks and gardens, so wherever she goes, time outside is always on the agenda.
PACKING PREPARATIONS
Are you traveling alone or will need help with your luggage? Either way, it’s good idea to pack with a plan. “Most importantly is the carry-on, which should contain all vital supplies and medications,” explains Ashley. Clothes and toiletries may be bought if the worst happens and you arrive at your destination, but your luggage does not. To get by in this scenario, Ashley includes a change of clothing and a few pairs of underwear. “If need be, it’s possible to hand-wash a set of clothing each night in the bathroom sink, and thus have a clean set each day.”
Furthermore, check your accommodations to see if a washer and dryer will be available for guest use as opposed to expensive in-house laundry services. Not having to pack a clean outfit for every single day can also save a ton of packing space. When it comes to the weight and size of your bags, especially if someone else is lugging them around, really consider that person’s overall physical capabilities and wellbeing to ensure the trip enjoyable for all. Also, express sincere gratitude for the assistance often to maintain a healthy travel partner relationship; never take a helping hand for granted.
THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW
If traveling solo, there’s a few different ways to manage transporting your luggage. Generally, it’s easiest to transport your largest bag if it’s on wheels. The simplest and most universal tools to attach the luggage to your wheelchair as you roll are zip-ties, bungee cords and good old duct tape. A couple of luggage brands now have developed luggage that can be attached to your wheelchair. Furthermore, there are pegs that can be attached to both sides of a wheelchair frame as luggage carriers, in which the luggage rests on top of the pegs in front of the legs.
ASHLEE LUNDVALL (AshleeLundvall.com)
Ashlee is a T-12 para from Cody, WY. She’s been traveling for years, and for the sake of this entry, she’s made trips from Denver to Cancun, Mexico, from St. Louis to Hawaii and across the pond from Denver to London to Johannesburg, South Africa. Those were the long ones.
MASTERING THE AIRPORT
“First things first, I’d recommend getting TSA PreCheck,” Ashlee says. “I was told that it wouldn’t help, but they were wrong. Even in the Cody airport now all they do is check your chair and swipe your hands. There’s none of the ‘physical assault’ anymore with TSA Pre. You don’t have to take your shoes off or your jacket or your belt, and you don’t have to empty your bag. It saves time and the lines are TSA PreCheck line is the shortest. I can get through security in less than 10 minutes,” she continues. “I’d recommend it for all disabled travelers.”
To get TSA PreCheck, (it’s a simple procedure which takes about 20 minutes) you have to set up an interview at one of their offices, usually in a big city or in some international airports. It costs about $80 and is good for five years. Go to TSA website to find a location near you (https://www.tsa.gov/precheck).
GETTING ON THE PLANE
“Yes I’ve had my chair broken a bunch of times. It’s a rigid frame and the back folds down and I think they were loading heavy stuff on top of it. Now when I fly, after I transfer onto the aisle chair I’ll wait until the guy comes up to take my chair down to the belly so I can tell him it does NOT fold and ask him not to pack anything on top. I also take my cushion and remove the side panels. Since I started doing those things I haven’t had any problems.”
“I have problems with blood clots and swelling, so when I called my doctor to discuss the trip to Africa she suggested the Vena-Pro… a machine that wraps around your calves and squeezes periodically to increase circulation. The battery lasts for about 6 hours and it’s easy to transport and use,” Ashlee says. “I’ve noticed a huge difference in my swelling.”
Let’s talk about cathing, one of the #1 questions I see. On long flights it’s inevitable, so how do you do it? Some people insert a foley and wear a leg bag, Ashlee doesn’t. “On overnight flights I’ll wear sweat pants and put a blanket over my head and cath into a water bottle. I always bring a blanket anyway because it’s cold. On day flights I call ahead to see if they have an onboard aisle chair that I can use to get into the bathroom.”
THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW
As far as BMs go, or needing to clean up, there are some International airports that offer rooms with toilets and showers that you can rent by the day (call ahead to find out). I always bring extra wipes and caths and a change of clothes with me. You never know when you might need them. You can change clothes in the airport bathroom if you have to.
“Be conscious of your diet a week before travel by avoiding things that historically have been problematic,” says Ashley of wheelchairtraveling.com, “having a happy healthy gut improves the travel experience and keeps bodily functions manageable.” She explains that two days before travel, and especially the day before, consume light and easy digestible foods. Worst case scenario, pick up a couple of anti-diarrhea pills to keep the butt plug tight. The week of travel, Ashley suggests to increase your water intake to ensure the body is plenty hydrated during the flight. The air onboard a plane is particularly drying, and since it’s not possible to run to the bathroom whenever needed, drinking a ton of water during the flight is not advisable. Planning ahead allows your body to use it reserves instead of shocking it with dehydration, which can be a domino effect and cause more serious symptoms. “You never want to arrive at a destination feeling ill, so take special care of your body leading up to the flight.”
DANIELA IZZIE
Daniela is 33 years old and lives in Reva, VA. She’s a C-5/6 quad who has been to Italy and Switzerland twice and Costa Rica once since her injury, and the only person I know who has made the trip abroad by herself.
Dani uses a manual chair with a Spinergy ZX-1 add on (https://www.spinergy.com/about-zx-1). It’s a power source that has allowed her to travel independently because it gives her the function of a power chair without the weight and expense. “When I check in I get two tags, one for my chair and one for the ZX-1. Before I board I’ll get them to detach the two and explain all the moving parts. Everything I can detach I’ll take it on the plane with me. I’ll even take my tires on if I can. In all my travels I’ve only had one thing broken, the fork of one of my front wheels.”
“I went alone my first time,” Dani says. “The Mitrofanoff surgery made it possible. Whenever I get on a plane I’ll tell the flight attendant that I’ll be managing my bladder from my seat. I also put a blanket over my head when I cath. I can drain into a bottle and put it in my backpack and take care of it when we land.”
THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW
“When I travel alone, I’ll call a caregiver company wherever I’m going and hire someone to show up at the hotel to help me. In the states it’s easy. Abroad can be difficult because of the language barrier but I’ve done it. Just google ‘home health’ or ‘caregiver company’ and the destination. I give them as much advance notice as I can and most of them have 4 hour minimums, but they’ve allowed me to travel by myself.”
TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
- Some people stop drinking so they won’t have to cath. Don’t do this. You’re likely to get dehydrated and lightheaded and you don’t want to get a UTI.
- Locate a DME beforehand at your destination in case you need your wheelchair repaired when you land. A broken part can ruin a trip.
- Use your chair cushion to sit on. Airplane seats are hard. You can pull the gel pack off if need be and it never hurts to bring a memory foam cushion to make long flights more comfortable.
- Always call the airline as soon as you book and request bulkhead seats if you need extra leg-room, or an aisle or window seat. Tell them about your disability and anything you will need.
- To prevent leg swelling, you can use your carry on to prop your feet up during the flight, and now they make products similar to the Venapro (a portable leg compression sleeve) that are ideal for long flights. They also help prevent blood clots.
We know that long flights can be daunting, but don’t let that fear of the unknown stop you from going to some of those faraway places that you’ve always wanted to see. As long as you’re prepared anything is possible.
