Flying High – Up, Up, and Away
- Shelley Shares: A Message from Shelley
- Making Life Easier Tips: Traveling
- Making Life Easier Services, Resources, and Products
- Quotes of the Month
- What's New on the Web site?
1. Shelley Shares: Flying High – Up, Up, and Away
I can't tell you the number of people who have asked me how I travel. They see my three wheeled Amigo scooter and assume that I cannot fly on an airplane. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, my husband and I have traveled across the country and the ocean to attend weddings, reunions, and to seek medical treatment. I sometimes think that traveling by air is easier than going by car. Traveling by car means my husband has to transfer me into and out of the car and lift the scooter in the trunk at every stop along the way. Plus, it takes longer when you drive.
I recently taught a teleclass on how to make flying easier when you have a chronic illness or age-related limitation. I shared my own travel experiences to allay fears and give you the confidence you need to leave your comfort zone and to seek out new adventures. I also suggested ideas to help you prepare for your trip and explain where to find help when unexpected glitches occur. If you were unable to attend this teleclass, you may want to purchase a copy of it to add to your library or to share with your support group. Click here to order.
2. Making Life Easier Tips – Traveling
Ship bags ahead
To make airline travel easier for older seniors who don't want the hassle or responsibility of managing luggage or carry-on bags, consider shipping luggage ahead (by UPS or other shipping service to the destination.
A Photo ID – a necessity for air travel
If you don't have a driver’s license it may pose a problem when you travel by air. With heightened airport security, passengers must present a photo ID, usually a driver’s license, when checking in so that airport personnel can match your picture ID with the name on the ticket. State requirements may differ on what they require to obtain a photo ID. However, you will probably need a certified copy of your birth certificate or a passport, and a copy of your signature on a document like a contract or tax return.
Reduce confusion with written information
If you or someone you know is easily confused when traveling across country, create a detailed itinerary and information list to consult along the way. Include the date, flight (train/bus) information, transfer/connection information, who will be meeting you at the end of your flight, as well as the traveler's home address and family and emergency contact information.
You may even include a few memories from the trip to relate upon the return home. Preparing this information will prevent unnecessary anxiety on the part of the traveler and ease the minds of family members on either end.
3. Services, Resources and Products for Making Life Easier
Air Carrier Access Act – Your rights as a traveler with a disability
In 1986 Congress passed the Air Carrier Access Act, requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop new regulations which ensure that persons with disabilities will be treated without discrimination in a way consistent with the safe carriage of all passengers. These regulations were published in March 1990. To review this document and understand your rights, visit traveler_with_disabilities.
Consider special insurance for travelers with medical concerns.
When a friend's daughter became ill on a trip to Australia and wasn't well enough to travel home independently, the medical bill toped $15,000 for the flight and the nurse who accompanied my fiend's daughter. We don't plan on accidents or illnesses when we travel, but they do happen, even to the most robust travelers. Take the worry out of traveling if your health is compromised by investigating medical evacuation insurance like http://www.medjetassistance.com that offers help should a medical emergency arise on your trip. Or contact your travel agent to learn more about trip cancellation insurance.
Purchase new luggage.
If toting heavy luggage is a challenge, super light Swiss-Werks™ wheeled bags are ergonomically designed and as much as 30% lighter than other wheeled travel bags. Handle grips swivel and lock into a stress-free "palm facing the side" rolling position; in-line skate wheels offer smooth rolling; removable garment sleeve stores hanging garments; expands for more space on demand. A variety of styles and price ranges to choose from. Swiss Army Travel Gear; 888-658-0717; www.swissarmytravelgear.com
The Web site www.goinginstyle.com offers the “Walking Bag” and the luggage with a built-in Seat. Both are the lightweight, durable traveling bags that help reduce stress on knees, back, elbows, and shoulders. The bags roll in all directions and are very eb>b>asy to maneuver in crowded places. The bags are made of rugged Teflon-coated 1200-denier polyester fabric, are very stable, and can be leaned on or sat upon. Overall, it takes about 1/6 of the effort to use the bags compared to other types of luggage. Available in assorted styles, sizes, and colors, at prices ranging from $25 to $200. From Going in Style; 609 Stanford Shopping Center; Palo Alto, CA 94304; Phone 650-356-0361, 800-637-8953; Fax 650-356-0370.
4. Quotes of the Month
Airplane travel is nature's way of making you look like your passport photo.
Al Gore, U.S. Vice President
No one travels so high as he who knows not where he is going.
Oliver Cromwell
Far away is only far away if you don't go there.
O. Povo
The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.
Agnes Repplier
5. What's New on the Web Site?
• New TELECLASSES Posted
Join us each month for a different class to learn strategies for coping with you chronic illness and have YOUR QUESTIONS answered.
Newly Diagnosed – Part 1 Why Me? What Now?
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 6 pm CT
Newly Diagnosed – Part 2 The Changing Face of Relationships
Wednesday, September 6, 2006 6 pm CT
The Doctor is In - Managing Your Medical Care
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 6 pm CT
Joyful Holidays - From De-stressing to De-lightful
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 6 pm CT
Home Sweet Home - Little, low-cost things you can do to make your home more manageable
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 6 pm CT
To learn more or to register for these FREE* teleclasses, visit our www.MeetingLifesChallenges.com Web site.
* Participants are responsible for any long distance fees charged by their phone carrier. Registration is required.
Now Available - CDs and MP3 files of previous classes
Click here to purchase the audio version of
• CarePartners –Working in Harmony (Cargegiving)
• Was I Coming or was I Going – How to remember almost anything (Memory)
• Winging It! Flying High and Enjoying It (Travel)
Shelley's Newest Book Now Available:
Multiple Sclerosis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier 2nd Edition. This expanded and updated 2nd edition offers more tips, techniques, shortcuts, and time savers to make living with MS easier. Click here to learn more about this book and others written by Shelley Peterman Schwarz. |
