We all love to go on holiday, especially when we are going abroad, but for some people flying can be very problematic. If you suffer from a disability then you need to put a few more plans in place than an able bodied person. For a lot of people with a disability long haul traveling can quickly become a nightmare, especially if you haven’t prepared correctly, so below you will find a few tips that should help you get your holiday off to a good start.
Preparation
• Make sure you have enough of your medication to last for the holiday plus an extra week.
• Always put your medicine in your hand luggage never let it go in the hold.
• In some countries in the Middle East and Asia medications that may be legal in the USA and Europe may not be legal there so check online.
• Some countries require you to carry a doctor’s letter confirming your medications, again you will need to check online with the countries medical requirements.
• Make sure you have let the airline know you are disabled and that you will require a wheelchair or other assistance, you should do this when you book. If you haven’t then phone them as soon as you can and they will make a note of it for you.
• Also, when you book, order a ‘special meal’ as this will mean you get your food before everyone else, and therefore finish first giving you easier access to the toilets, otherwise you get big queues after the food has been served.
Comfy Flight
• Your holiday starts as soon as you leave for the airport and if you are disabled and have an early AM flight then this can cause problems, especially with people who need time for medication to work and joints to ease up. It is much better if you stay in the airport hotel overnight, that way you get longer in bed and it only takes a few minutes to get to the check-in, and you will arrive much more relaxed.
• Make sure at the check-in they order your wheelchair, or call for assistance to help you, this is free in the majority of airports.
• You should arrive at your gate with plenty of time to spare, so if the assistant has left you at a coffee shop in the airport, do not fret they have not forgotten you.
• Once at the gate the elderly, disabled, and those with kids are allowed to board first.
• When the doors are closed, if the flight is not full and you see better seats, call for a flight attendant and ask if you can move, in most cases they will say yes.
• If you need to change flights, an assistant will be there to help you, but you do need to wait for everyone else to leave the plane.
Remember that flying can be a pain in the backside for able bodied people, but if you follow these tips then at least you will be a lot more relaxed and comfortable for the flight.
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