We are darn lucky to be able to take Claudia anywhere.. I mean that. Everything about special is expensive. Power wheelchairs are expensive, as is the time and effort it takes to maintain them. I also realize that we are very fortunate to have a van that allows us to physically transport Claudia in her power wheelchair.
We have found that in America there are very few places that could provide adequate public transportation for our family. A family of six that includes a power wheelchair.
Which brings me to traveling back to the Midwest to visit family. This summer we limited ourselves to air travel because of the distance and time involved. Again I want to state that we are very fortunate to be able to afford the cost of travel with a family of six. This was always one of the biggest negatives to living in the Southwest. We would have to fly back to visit both of our families in the Midwest.
So just to explain what is involved and how we manage because I know there are many families that feel trapped and paralyzed with a child who has extra physical needs. Personally that is one of the worst feelings.
Our first move is to pick a direct flight. We do this for several reasons, one less chance for Claudia's wheelchair to be damaged in the loading and unloading, second it cuts down on wait time. Claudia's chair is almost always the last piece off the plane so a lay-over would need to accommodate that extra time.
We also prefer to fly with airlines that don't assign the seating because it is a challenge for most airlines to seat us together. Sitting together is necessary for us for the bathroom moments when one parent can cover the bathroom and there is still another parent close by for the rest of the kids. If they don't book our tickets together over the phone we usually show up and there is a big scramble because the airline staff realize that it is safer for everyone for us to sit all together. (we like Southwest)
We arrive to the airport about two and a half hours early. We do this because we have to check in at the counter in order for the wheelchair to be inspected and because we need some dissemble time at the gate. We take off anything that is likely to be damaged... joystick, armrest, footrest, seat cushion, etc. It helps us to carry an empty bag along to store all the parts.
Without running over any older ladies we try to load as close to first as possible. One of us carries Claudia and the other person carries bags and corrals the kids. Claudia is pushed (her power having been disconnected at this point) as close as possible to the plane door. With a couple ounces of luck no one gets motion-sick and we arrive at our destination.
At this point Claudia is small enough that we can carry her off the plane and into a seat while we wait for her chair to be delivered plane side. I imagine some day one of us will wait on the plane with her while the other person brings her wheelchair back down the runway. Thankfully the other children have learned to listen and be patient during this process. We pick up our luggage and proceed.
Due to the fore-mentioned lack of public transportation we rent a wheelchair accessible van at our destination. We have tossed around the idea of doing a taxi to the location but it comes down to the fact that we need to be able to transport Claudia once on-site.
Thank goodness there are companies that rent out wheelchair accessible vans. So far we have tried Omaha, Indianapolis, and Fort Myers with good success. If you need those contacts I'm happy to share. It will cost you and the delivery fees can be steep but we have always been happy to be able to get Claudia around.
Now for those of you reading that can't put all of this information to immediate use here are some ways that you can help:
1. Be patient if you see a family or individual with extra needs. I promise you they don't like being in your way any more than you like it.
2. If you don't need it don't use it! The wheelchair accessible bathrooms are for people in wheelchairs not for you to use as a dressing room. And being a twin mom I can relate but they are really not for double strollers either. The wheelchair accessible parking spots should be saved for side entry vans. Having rented a couple of vans with side lifts, it would be really nice to have those available when needed. There is usually only one or two spots that will work and if another car is parked there we had to circle around and wait.
3. SMILE and be compassionate. There is tons of waiting involved when you have special physical needs, and it takes so much patience on part of these individuals. Just for a minute try to put yourself in their wheels and give them a smile.
One last final note: Claudia made a friend on the plane to Nebraska with a young lady named Yael. She was ten and had gorgeous brown curls and a smile to melt anyone's heart. Her mother guided her over to Claudia and they had so much fun chatting that we ended up letting them sit together. Yael happened to be blind. They had the best conversation about how they respond to meeting people. Both were completely annoyed by the obvious questions, "why do you have a wheelchair?", "what's wrong with your eyes?".
And that is my final point, we need to look for traits and interests we have in common. No one needs these obvious differences pointed out over and over. Be a friend and find something in common.
