Almost Made It

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Traveling on an airplane is not one of my favorite things, but I am excited to see family so I will suck it up.

Challenge #1: When dad is booking flights he finds that none of my push chairs fit through the cargo door for gate check. Last time we flew I was much smaller and had a smaller chair.

Here are my 2 push chairs. The one that “folds” is still too big due to accessories needed for positioning and safety.

Dad called the “accessibility desk”. After 3 attempts of getting disconnected, over an hour on hold, or “sorry, I can’t help you”, he finally talked to a very nice woman with United Airlines that checked every available flight, including nearby airports. No dice.

Luckily, a few weeks later my new JOSI jogging stroller arrived, and it folds small enough to fit.

I like it well enough to use as a daily chair, at least for a short trip. Mom bought a heavy duty grain bag and customized it to hold the jogger and wheels together, and provide a bit of extra protection. Back in business!

My packing list for trips includes some things that most people don’t need:

  • Wheelchair, as you already know
  • Incontinence supplies*
  • Feeding tube supplies
  • Specialty diet, including formula and pureed food*
  • Many medications
  • Special bed*

* We shipped incontinence supplies, and my amazing aunts helped prepare a make-shift bed that is safe and comfortable enough for a few nights, and got out the Nutribullit to puree food while I’m there. 

You think you hate going through airport security?! I get a courtesy full body search, and they test every one of my liquids since I like to have more than 3.4 oz of fluids per day.

We made it to the gate where I met a new friend.

I’m sure you’re jealous that I get to board before everyone. Dad pushes me to the airplane door, my sister boards first to carry my stuff and prepare my seat, and dad carries me to my seat. I like when my sister comes. Not only is she very helpful, but she is not afraid to “discipline” people that give us funny looks or stare too long.

Mom folds my chair and prepares it for gate-check. I sit next to a window with dad next to me. Mom or sister sits in front of me because I continuously kick and hit that seat.

Things are going pretty smoothly. I already had my breakfast cereal while waiting for the boarding call. We are slightly delayed because the airline overbooked by 11 people! As long as we don’t have any more delays, we will make our connection in Denver. 

Mom has returned and dad gave me my morning meds and tube feeding while everyone else boarded.

Deicing the plane took 45 minutes longer than the pilot said it would. There is no way we will make our connection. 

Meanwhile, Denver International Airport issued a ground halt for incoming flights, so the pilot has everyone deplane.

There’s a later flight from Denver to Pittsburgh, but the storm is expected to continue dumping snow for accumulations up to 2 feet. If they re-board our flight, mom and dad don’t think we will make it out of Denver. If that happens, I won’t have enough pureed food for tomorrow and we will miss my cousin’s wedding anyway. Our excitement and optimism fades, and we decide it wasn’t meant to be this time.

We decide that we will try again over Spring Break. Dad has his fingers crossed that he doesn’t have to include a story about how he changed my number two on an airplane.


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6 Responses

  1. We were all super pumped to see you and the fam! But then, bam! Our excitement crashed faster than a snowplow on a slippery road when we heard about the snow and all the plans going poof! Airplanes can be such party poopers, right? Here’s to crossing our fingers for a spring break reunion, or maybe even a surprise visit before that! Enjoy the snow, but remember: if it’s yellow, keep your distance!

  2. Whoever heard of a snow storm in November, am I right?!?! I mean with all this global warming…er uhm…climate change…anyhow, it was a beautiful sunny day in Pittsburgh. Hopefully you enjoyed your airport adventure. We missed you!

  3. At least it was a good test run with the new equipment! Very impressed with the strategic seating arrangement. I didn’t think about that at all. Can’t wait to see you all soon!

  4. We just came back from flying to Ft. Lauderdale with Abey, for the FOXG1 conference. Reading about your travel process made me think we weren’t alone.

    I hope you have more success next time!

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