6.
Don't leave anything to chance. If you can,
double-check all the arrangements your travel
agent makes. Call the airlines, hotels, scooter,
wheelchair, car, RV or van rental companies,
medical equipment rental companies, etc., and
verify the specifics, especially if you're
traveling in a wheelchair or have any other
special needs like oxygen.
This is important if you haven't used the agent
before.
7.
If you need oxygen or any other special medical
equipment, call airlines and suppliers well in
advance of your trip. Don't wait until the last
minute. Start calling them as soon as you know
you're going to be traveling or taking a trip.
Then double-check with your travel agent and the
airline at least three to four days before your
flight.
8.
Arrive early at the airport. It's better to wait
around there than miss your plane. This will
eliminate some of the pre-trip anxiety you might
feel and make for more leisurely travel. This
seems like common knowledge but many people
still arrive at the gate just in the nick of
time.
With all that's going on in the world today
there are many reasons why you want to allow for
more time at the airport.
9.
In your airplane carry-on bag keep copies of the
prescriptions for your medications and
eyeglasses, extra eyeglasses, sunglasses, all
your medications and supplements, and a list of
your doctor, dentist and other health
professionals with their addresses, and phone
numbers.
Include your doctor's fax number for
prescriptions in case you lose your medications.
Keep duplicate copies of these in your luggage
and at home by the telephone. Know where your
medical records are kept.
10. When you travel, and for any other time too,
if you take medications, learn their names and
exactly what they're for if you don't know.
People come into the emergency room all the time
and don't know what medications they're taking.
You might be surprised to find out that most
people say 'a little yellow pill' or 'a white
capsule', etc.
Emergency workers need to know what you're
taking so they don't give you medication that
would interact adversely with it, overdose you
or somehow interfere with their treatment and
your recovery.
11. If you're traveling by air, tell the flight
attendants when you board, of any medical
problem you might encounter on your flight. Note
the location of the closest restroom before
getting seated. Tell the flight attendant if you
think you'll need assistance getting to it
during the flight.
You may need or want an aisle seat for easy
access to the restrooms. Discuss seating with
your travel agent.
12. If you need someone to travel with you, ask
your travel agent for ideas or suggestions. Call
the local chapters of medical associations and
ask if they can recommend a travel assistant or
travel companion to help or accompany you.
There are national companies who offer traveling
nurses, traveling companions or travel
assistants to accompany disabled travelers or
people with serious medical issues.
13. Make sure to take with you: any medical
cards, Medicare cards, discount cards, car or
auto rental discount cards, auto insurance
policy numbers and agent's phone number,
passport, airline tickets, etickets, American
Express Travelers Cheques, debit cards, credit
cards, and drivers license. Photocopy
everything.
Keep photocopies in your luggage and at home by
the telephone or someplace where someone has
access to it in case you need it.
14. Read everything you can about traveling with
a disability. Read disabled travel books, access
guides, accessible guidebooks, disability travel
articles and travel publications for the
disabled traveler. Read the personal travel
experiences of wheelchair users and others who
have traveled with disabilities. Be informed.
These travel tips, information, resources, and
services for the disabled should help you, or
anyone with a disability, handicap, physical
limitation, or who uses a wheelchair, have an
easier, more pleasant, anxiety-free,
trouble-free trip, tour, holiday or vacation.
