Trying to Travel - Part Three - Pack, Pack, Pack!

The Trunki and the wheelchair backpack have both arrived! They look great. Danielle has been scooting around the house on the Trunki for days. She's literally a blur on it! And I love the compact, versatile wheelchair backpack.

Now the big questions: what to pack and how. We're visiting family for two weeks. It seems like a long time and my instinct is to pack everything we might possibly need. I know myself well enough to know that I need to pre-pack once so I can weed out the unnecessary stuff.

First I collect everything I'm positive we absolutely can't live without. And then, I ask myself -do you really need to carry that? Even a cheap hotel will normally provide a hair-dryer and iron if you ask. And, at least in the U.S., have you ever stayed anywhere that didn't have a clock? Most rentals and hotels have access to a washer & dryer - our families will certainly let us use theirs. I also assume that we can use whatever soap & shampoo is available as well as their towels.

There are lots of sites with very long suggested packing lists. This isn't one of them. I believe that when you are traveling within the U.S. and Canada you can pick up most of the things you need easily. I don't see the point in packing sunscreen that may explode all over your suitcase when you can buy some at your destination. I think its funny that people will spend $5 for a cup of coffee in the airport, but balk at spending the same on sunscreen when they "already have it at home." Leave it at home - it's not going to go bad while you're away and you can use it when you return. Worst case, you leave a little leftover lotion with your hosts or throw it in the trash before you head home.

People also seem to forget that they already have one outfit with them that they don't need to pack - the one they wear on the plane. My strategy is to wear the bulkiest items on the plane if you can. For instance, wear your jeans and a sweatshirt or sweater rather than pack them. Remember, despite the temperature outside the plane will be climate controlled. Wear your sneakers or boots. Definitely wear socks since you'll have to take your shoes off at security. You don't want to end up barefoot on a dirty airport floor because you wore your nicest pair of sandals.

Most people don't believe it, but I can typically squeeze everything for a family of four into one large suitcase and two or three carry-ons. Here is the final packing plan for each person:

• 2 additional bottoms (pants, shorts or skirts)
• 3-4 additional tops (each should coordinate with at least two the bottoms)
• OR 4 dresses for each girl (neither wears shorts or pants much)
• 1 light jacket or sweater if not worn on the plane
• 1 additional pair of shoes per person (maximum 2 pairs per)
• 4 sets of undergarments, including socks
• 1 swim suit
• 1 outfit to relax & sleep in
• limited toiletries: my contact solution & case, small flat iron, 2 razors, deodorant, our toothbrushes, combs & brushes
• Chargers (phone, camera, etc.)

In my carry-on tote (my old diaper bag) I'll bring:

•  Phone, wallet, sunglasses, keys, etc.
• Boarding passes
• Spare glasses & reading glasses
• Quart sized Ziploc bag of medicines
• A few bandaids
• Digital camera

 In Amanda's new backpack: 

•  1 change of clothes for each girl
• small toys, crayons & books
• snacks for both
• a sippy cup for Amanda (outer side pocket)
• Amanda's Ipad (outside back pocket)
• Danielle's Nintendo DS (outer side pocket)
• headphones for both girls
• Book or magazine

All of THIS



Only filled the wheelchair backpack HALF way!

Things I should pack (according to experts) but don’t typically:

• Bath robes (we don't own any)
• Flip-flops
• Rain Gear (we're not the type to go tramping around in the rain)
• Sewing kit
• Dress clothes
• Flashlight
• Travel alarm clock
• Hats & sunscreen
• Hostess Gifts (I send something when I get back or buy something there)

I'll let Danielle pack her Trunki. She can bring her own favorite things... whatever they are! Kevin's responsibility is to push Amanda. I don't think its fair to ask him to lug a carry-on as well. I may get stuck carrying the Trunki - or worse, Danielle & the Trunki! We'll just have to see how that works out. I hope she's as fast on it at the airport as she has been at home!

Trying to Travel, Part Two

Now the preparations for airline travel with Amanda begin.The very first thing I had to do, before researching accessible beaches or planning our itinerary was to learn how the Americans with Disabilities Act impacts air travel. I discovered that there is another law, the Air Carrier Act, that specifically addresses commercial airlines. Other parents get to read travel guides; I get to learn disability law.

When we booked the flights we carefully specified that we required wheelchair assistance. Now, however, we need additional assistance due to the broken hip. I had to contact AirTran and request bulkhead seats for her and one companion as she has an immobilized leg.  AirTran responded very promptly with two bulkhead seats and two immediately behind so we can stay together as a family. I also need to make sure that they will have an on board wheelchair and that the flight attendants will understand her rights.

I ordered her a new wheelchair backpack that doubles as carry on luggage. It looks really cool. We've always needed at least one extra hand to get the kids and our luggage through the airport. Hopefully this bag will help. I like it better than the backpack we've tried to use in the past because it was designed to fit onto the handles of a wheelchair and it has several convenient exterior pockets for us to stow a soda bottle, her IPad, and little items. She may miss the Jonas Brothers logo that is on her current backpack, but I won't!



New backpack

Getting through TSA should be easy. There is a special line for mobility impaired passengers. A same-sex agent should scan her and the chair with a wand, while the rest of us go through the regular screening. They should let one of us go through ahead of her so we aren't separated. At least in theory that's how it should work. 

You'll notice I used the verb should in every sentence. We have run into some real idiots in the past. One agent wheeled her away from us with no instructions while I stood frantically screaming, "Don't take my child!" Another insisted that she get out of the wheelchair and walk unaided through the scanner. I think this is because the majority of "disabled" people TSA and flight attendants see are simply elderly people who are bit infirm and may use the wheelchair service for convenience getting through the airport rather than necessity.

We're able to navigate Amanda through the airport in her wheelchair without problem, but getting on board will be another trick. Wheelchair passengers are the first to board and the last to get off. The law requires that at least one folding wheelchair per flight  be accommodated in the cabin - even if means displacing the crew's or first class passengers items. This is the best way to ensure the wheelchair isn't lost or broken. Even a basic manual chair like Amanda's costs more than $3,500. This isn't an umbrella stroller that can be replaced at the nearest WalMart for $15.

If there is already another wheelchair in the cabin, they will gate check the chair and take it down to be loaded in the baggage compartment. So we need to make sure they know how to handle her wheelchair.We will need to put any detachable parts in a carry-on duffel bag and tape a list of instructions & parts on the wheelchair. By law access equipment doesn't count toward the passengers' carry on limit, so if we have to bag the parts, they have to stow them in an overhead or on board compartment.

Aisle Chair

 In the past Amanda has always been able to walk on board after her wheelchair is stowed. That isn't an option now so I'll have to call Airtran and request assistance with an on board wheelchair (typical wheelchairs are too wide for airplane aisles). This is called an "aisle chair" - a narrow high back chair with no sides. The catch is that she has to be "semi-ambulatory and able to transfer... into and out of these chairs."

Right now she still has a NO WEIGHT BEARING restriction. Hopefully the surgeon will remove that soon so that she can stand to transfer in and out of her wheelchair. Currently I have to use a slide board to transfer her. Kevin (aka He Man) just picks her up.

Those are the mechanics of traveling with Amanda. The actual flight should go well. She will have her IPad and headphones with her so she will have games and videos. They will require that she shut it off during take off and landing. Technically, as it is her Assistive Communication Device they are not allowed to require that it be shut off, but I doubt either of us is willing to fight that battle. The only other thing she needs is a spill proof cup since she can't drink reliably from a regular cup.

The flight should go smoothly assuming that the airline provides the accommodations we've requested, since all fall within the scope of the Airline Carrier Act as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act. Based on my recent experience with the Fulton County School System I no longer believe that the existence of a law creates compliance. I'll let you know how things go...

For information on Air Carrier Act and accessibility on airlines go to

http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act_details.htm

http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/airacc.asp

Trying to Travel

We plan to fly to Boston at the end of July. As anyone who has traveled with kids knows, this takes a little advanced prep. Our situation requires even more planning as we try to juggle one wheelchair, one stroller, carry on luggage and two kids. Fortunately Danielle now uses a booster seat so we don't have the nightmare of lugging a carseat as well.

We've taken the girls to New England and California in the past so both are experienced travelers. However, its been 18 months since we've been on a plane. For Danielle, that's a third of her lifetime. She really doesn't remember the process.

It helps to prepare her for new experiences by reading books. Books we'll read before the trip include The Noisy Airplane Ride and Going On A Plane . We have a beautiful board book that was Amanda's called Planes. The Noisy Airplane Ride is perfect for Danielle sho has a fear of unknown noises. It goes through each step of the flight, describing the noises you'll hear.

Danielle represents all of the challenges of travelling with a typical four year  old - she gets bored, restless and grumpy. She talks too loud on the plane or she wants to run through the airport. Or, worse, she wants to be carried. She's too big for a stroller now so I've bought her a special carry on of her own, Trunki. In theory a child should be able to ride on the Trunki - even be pulled through the airport if necessary.  It comes in various colors. She would have liked red, but I purchased blue due to a structural issue.

I chose the Terrence over the Ruby model because the red has two handles where the "seat" is. I couldn't envision Danielle sitting comfortably on those handles. I wanted to avoid ending up with one more piece of luggage for me or Kevin to carry. The Ruby is undeniably cuter, looking a bit like a ladybug. I've seen a cow model for sale on EBay. I think it would be great if Melissa & Doug made these 1) in more animal patterns and 2) for larger kids. Danielle is at the high end for this and we may only get one trip out of it as a ride on. Hopefully she will continue to use it as her carry on.

I'll pack a variety of toys and snacks to occupy her in the airport while we wait and on the plane. Toys will include Polly Pockets, an Olivia Carnival Play Set, ColorWonder Disney Princess Coloring Set and Dover Little Sticker books (Little Airport and Beach). Some are familiar, others are new. I'll open all of the new toys before I pack so that we're not fussing with packaging on the plane. You can't bring a wrapped gift in your carry on luggage, but I want to surprise her with some of these so I'll roll them into spare clothes. Maybe I can bring a few colored lunch bags and slip them inside without her noticing once we're onboard. I also know that the interior of the plane provides its own fun - light switches, headphones with music she can control, magazines to play "I Spy" with and, of course, barf bag puppets!

Danielle has inherited Amanda's Nintendo DS. She has one game of her own, Smart Girl PlayHouse. I bought a second SmartGirl game and her own headphones as as surprise.  I also ordered a car charger for the DS - and one for the IPad as well. That way they can entertain themselves during the long car rides between our families' houses. I like them to look out the windows and talk to us, but realistically we need a back up plan.

Right now I have no other special preparations for Danielle. I think that if she understands the process she'll enjoy it - and maybe, just maybe, we will too!

For my Listmania List go to Complete Packing