Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' - Traveling in a Wheelchair
Traveling with an attached wheelchair can be a challenge. A few tricks and techniques make it relatively easy. Although different than a full-featured individual's experience, it really isn’t more difficult if adequately planned and the plans are then followed. With about two major trips a month, I get lots of practice.
Traveling Tips:
- Keep a travel record for future use.
- Define your needs -- for yourself and those whose services you'll use.
- Plan your luggage.
- Make a packing list and follow it.
- Carry a Personal Emergency Kit.
- Make reservations.
Margie's Personal Experience
I learn something new on each trip I take. Every restaurant, every hotel, every building and every conveyance has its own unique set of barriers as well as rules for handicap access - and they each have to be experienced and filed for the future. Some are seriously functional, some comical and some just plain impossible. There are, of course, written standards but the various methods of compliance can be very creative.
Obviously, there is a wide range of abilities among spinal cord injury survivors. Paraplegics have full use of their arms but no use of their legs, usually develop very strong upper bodies from navigating their wheelchairs. Although many quadriplegics have little or no use of their limbs, they must adapt to what they do have and whatever system works best for them. I am a C5/6 quadriplegic with limited use of my arms. On most of the trips I take, I am grateful to have my able caretaker, my husband Kent, with me. I've seen other quads with a professional traveling caregiver, without whose assistance he or she could not travel. I'm grateful so much more of life is accessible for many of us simply because help is available!
For any trip, the first concern is luggage. Since the accident, I carry more necessary equipment and take up more space, so now I must plan which pieces to take much more carefully. Most of our trips are by commercial aircraft, and passengers in wheelchairs are allowed unlimited baggage when they fly. The privilege sometimes comes in extremely handy, but sometimes means much greater difficulty in handling the additional luggage. In the car, we discovered those decorative luggage racks could be used for just that!
Kent and I pack in the same suitcase when we can and check only one bag. All of our suitcases have wheels and handles and transport easily. Kent’s bag, although small enough to be stowed aboard, works best as checked luggage when we fly together.
We almost always carry our laptop computers. Kent carries his in his briefcase. Mine has its own case and must be carried on my lap when we wheel through terminals. I secure it with a strap around my neck, leaving my hands free. I also do the same with my purse. My backpack attaches to the back of my chair, and in it I carry a book, magazines, glasses, medications – and sometimes my purse – anything I don’t want to check. It’s important to carry aboard everything I want to be sure not to lose.
In an effort to be more efficient, Kent and I developed a packing list for trips. We’ve learned not to trust anything to memory. When first developed, the packing list seemed a bit foolish. Nothing is ever forgotten when I check the list; conversely, if I forget anything, it’s because I didn’t quickly run through that page of important items. Our rule is if it’s even occasionally needed, it’s on the list.
One of the most important items I carry is an emergency kit. In the backpack hanging on the back of my chair is a zip-lock bag containing any unusual supplies I might need. More than once, we’ve been grateful for the package.
For special needs, the best plan is to be certain they are conveyed to the carrier when the reservations are made. This is true for any travel arrangements – airline, train, bus, or ship – and is also true for making room reservations. Personnel cannot be expected to be ready for my arrival unless they know my requirements. Agents may be trained in the procedures, but I’ll get better service if they are notified beforehand. Airlines have called me in advance of our flight, checking to see if I need special accommodations and providing information about packing wheelchair batteries and other requirements.
It's also a good idea for me to make reservations as soon as I'm aware of an upcoming trip. We use a travel agent on every trip except when we drive. Ours has been worth her weight in gold many times. Everyone who travels should have one. My experience has taught me that they have access to magical solutions for every problem. We use ours for booking flights, making reservations for hotel rooms, rental cars, tickets for events, tours and other sight-seeing ventures and, once, for that finest of all vacations, a cruise.
Have a nice trip!
