I waited as long as I could to purchase our plane tickets. The airfare started going up so I jumped on while I could and purchased our tickets over the weekend. The boys will be missing a little over two weeks of school. I’ll just need to make sure they do some school work every day. We’ll be flying into Nashville on October 2nd. Our appoinment with Dr. Kaplan is October 10th in Philadelphia. We’re taking this opportunity to see family we haven’t seen in years. There is quite a bit of driving involved but it will be worth seeing everyone.
I was (sort of still am) concerned about traveling with Erin. She’s much more comfortable standing than sitting. I am expecting that the airline seats will not be comfortable for her to sit in. Unfortunately her car seat is so large than Alan said we should check it into cargo instead of using it on the airplane. I was quite relieved to see the handicap symbol under each name when I bought the airline tickets online. I clicked on it for Erin. We do get to board first and we can get assistance to get to the gate. I feel better knowing that we can get help. I don’t know what we’re going to do with her for the four hour flight. We’ll have to bring DVDs of Wubzy and the Backyardigans. None of us has traveled by air in a few years and things have changed a bit.
Brennan and Larkin are excited to go. I am not sure Alan is too keen on the idea of us being gone for two weeks. Once we get there it might be a different story. Hopefully we’ll catch up with all of his siblings, the kids can spend time with all the grandparents, and I’ll get to see my aunt and cousins who I haven’t seen in over 15 years.
I have to start compiling our questions for Dr. Kaplan. He released the newest treatment guidelines last month. I am just starting to read all 82 pages of it. If you are interested in reading, you can find it here. The FOP episode on Mystery Diagnosis should be airing this month. I haven’t heard of the exact date yet but when I do I’ll be sure to post it here.
For your next flight, you might look into this organization:
http://aircharitynetwork.org/Home/tabid/850/Default.aspx
Another option is to request charity miles direct from the large airlines. They may be able to upgrade you to first class, where the seats are larger and more comfortable for Erin to stretch out on.
I’ve traveled in coach with my disabled mother, and all that the disabled accommodation on a regular ticket means is that you get wheelchair service to the gate, get to board early, and sit up front in coach. The seats themselves are no different. You’re just as likely to have the person in front recline their seat into your lap, or have someone kicking you constantly in the back of your seat. Do all you can to get an upgrade to first class.
Make sure to have meds in their original containers (with prescription label) inside a ziploc bag, along with a travel authorization form to carry meds on the plane. TSA can be neurotic about meds in any form, not just liquid. Show your daughter’s medic alert bracelet if they give you any trouble.
You and Erin should be “travel buddies.” You carry her meds, her paperwork, and keep track of her. Let Alan be in charge of the boys. You are less likely to loose someone, or misplace something, if you each know exactly what you need to keep track of. Going from gate to baggage claim to rental car to hotel… there are so many opportunities for children to stray and things to be set down and forgotten.
Best wishes for your travel.
Thank you for the great suggestions, Heather! Someone within the FOP community actually posted that same link about the charity flights. I know I checked it out but now I can’t remember why I didn’t contact them. But I will keep the information for future flights.
I posted an email within the FOP community about traveling with Erin and I got a great response. The majority of folks responded that how accomodating the airlines are all depends on the agent we get to help us.
Thank you for the great comments. I appreciate you taking the time out to write!