Comments on: Disabled Travel – How to Maximize your Trip and Minimize Your Worries When Flying With a Wheelchair

By: David

David — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:41:53 +0000

This is a great, thoughtful article. Thanks for taking the time to write it. As another individual with a physical disability, I especially love your positive attitude. After all, between us, let’s be honest–all this hassle is a pain! But I always try to see the positive side of things and it’s great that you do as well.

But a question–my experience has between that airline personnel in the U.S. are very wary about helping you physically (i.e. lifting). I came to the conclusion that most of them even have a policy against it. But it appears that has not been the case for you? Could you clarify?

By: Beth

Beth — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:19:51 +0000

Does anyone know of an aisle chair that does not have a foot rest and bar in front? I need to have the person stand up on their own from the aisle chair and get into their seat (they do not want to be lifted by airline personnel)and they are unable to step over and clear the foot rest/bar.

By: Luc

Luc — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 02:32:34 +0000

Hi Daniel,
Thanks for those extra tips. I checked out your site. You have some very interesting tours on there. I might be interested to go on one of those myself some day.

By: Daniel Steinberg

Daniel Steinberg — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:41:19 +0000

Admired your article. Although am not in your situation I have gain alot of experience in handling wheelchair-bound persons at airports and whilst touring.
You did hit the correct points but may I suggest one or two more:

Re batteries: do not rely on the airline staff telling you that if the batteries are well secured you should not worry. Do worry (please) ! – they may nevertheless dismantle the battery without you knowing. This means that you have a 50% chance of receiving them as they might be “floating” somewhere in the belly. Thus: before boarding, stick a clear sticker with your name etc. on the well secured batteries.
Re foldable wheelchairs: In addition to taking all removeable parts into the cabin, have your folded wheelchair tied. Tghis will avoid a sudden opening and breaking.
You may look into my website: http://www.tours-for-disabled.co.il to get an idea of the worldwide tours I arrange. I apologise that the English version is not as up to date as the Hebrew version. But the “Picture Gallery” is identical.

By: Ed

Ed — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:27:08 +0000

Thanks guys, after having a stroke that left me quadriplegic, I pretty much gave up on going anyplace that wasn’t within driving distance. After reading this, I am actually looking forward to traveling and a little more comfortable about what to expect.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:33:36 +0000

Kim, thanks so much for the kind comments. That is a really good suggestion about sending the supplies ahead of time. Oh, and good luck with the New Mobility Blog!

By: Kim@NewMobilityBlog

Kim@NewMobilityBlog — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:07:12 +0000

I was going to write a similar article, but yours is great! The only suggestion that I would add is that if, at all possible, you send your medical supplies ahead of time via UPS or Fedex (if you use disposable medical supplies, for example) so that you don’t have to be concerned with them getting lost or taking up valuable luggage space!).

By: Luc

Luc — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:16:59 +0000

Here are 50 useful articles and blogs with tips for flying.
http://www.charterjet.org/50-articles-and-blogs-that-offer-tips-for-flying/

By: Luc

Luc — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:57:59 +0000

Hi Candace,

Glad to hear you like the article! My experience is that you need a good justification to get insurance to pay for a standing wheelchair because they will conveniently not consider it a medical necessity as the default. I recommend anyone to work with a physical therapist to draft a good letter of justification.

Also, just an fyi that I have written an article about my experiences with my standing chair and that we filmed a video about the benefits of standing, which are both posted on this site.

And sure, feel free to email me the questionnaire. I would actually be interested to read about your findings once you have compiled your report.

By: Candace

Candace — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:52:17 +0000

Does insurance pay for, or assist with, a standing wheelchair? I would love to tell others about the chair, but I know cost will be an issue. Your article is great! I am a rec.therapy student and my internship project is about adapted travel. I have never experienced adapted travel first hand but your article helped me understand it a little more. I’m getting input, via questionnaire, from experienced travelers so that I can compile a document for in-experienced travelers. Would you be willing to fill one out if I email it to you?