When we flew to California in 2012, I couldn't find much online about packing and traveling with a tube-feeder, wheel-chair user, etc. Eli did great on our flight, makes him sleepy actually. So, our trip to see my Great Aunt Wilma in the Napa Valley was a great success!
I had the opportunity earlier this year to write an article for our local children's magazine, called PlayDate, about traveling with a child with disabilities. Here is a link to my article:
May 28, 2013
Traveling with Disabled and Special Needs Children
http://www.playdateyakima.com/2013/05/28/traveling-with-disabled-and-special-needs-children/
One thing that I didn't mention in my article was the wheelchair the airline offers for those who can transfer out of their wheelchair. They will put you on this little skinny thing, and load you on the plane. This wheelchair is small enough to fit down the center aisle of the plane, so you can then transfer into the airplane seat. (I got in trouble for taking this picture! So, I gotta share it!)
Eli is not able to sit in a regular airplane seat, so we had to take his carseat.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK IN EARLY - AND BOARD EARLY!
You totally break a sweat getting the thing into the plane, belted in, going back out, getting your kid, carrying them up the stairs and into the plane (we have to do that on Horizon Air), and then buckle them into the chair in the tightest space you can imagine, while everyone else is trying to board and wondering why you are taking so long! Stressful! The flight attendants were WONDERFUL and our time in the air went by quick as Eli loved to nap while flying. They didn't have any problems with Eli using his electronics!
Finally - to make our trip a little easier, I bought this "Roll n Go" to haul the car seat through the airports. Looks like they are no longer available through the One Step Ahead catalog. Bummer!
Hope you enjoyed my article, and if you have more questions, feel free to comment on this post and I'll get back to you! Happy traveling!
I have a couple older articles I wrote for them, too. Mostly about my journey raising Eli.
March 15, 2013
This is My Life....and Our Life!
http://www.playdateyakima.com/2013/03/15/this-is-my-life-and-our-life/
November 24, 2010
The Book of MY Eli
http://www.playdateyakima.com/2010/11/24/the-book-of-my-eli/
It's been an honor being a contributor to PlayDate, and having the opportunity to spread awareness for children with disabilities!
