When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.
Getting around on a day-to-day basis can be difficult enough when you rely on a wheelchair for mobility, but things can get a bit more complicated when you need to travel by plane. Unfortunately, like many modes of public transportation, airports and airplanes aren't exactly what many would consider to be "wheelchair-friendly." Fortunately, there are a few steps those traveling with wheelchairs can take to make air travel go a little more smoothly.
Request an Aisle Chair
One of the best ways to make air travel easier when you have a wheelchair is to request an aisle seat in the plane as far in advance as possible. Having an aisle seat will make navigating the plane (such as when going to the lavatory) easier on you. In fact, many airlines these days have designated aisle seats available to those traveling with wheelchairs. These seats, however, are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, so you'll want to make your reservations as far is advance as possible to ensure that you'll have access to one.
Use Gel or Foam Batteries
If you'll be traveling with an electric wheelchair that has batteries, make sure you swap out your standard acid-filled wheelchair battery with a gel or foam one before you board your flight. Unfortunately, acid batteries will need to be removed and checked for safety and security purposes. You can find gel or foam batteries at your standard wheelchair supply store. They're also known as dry-cell batteries and are certified to be safe for flight; therefore, they shouldn't need to be checked or removed by the flight crew. It's always a good idea to check with the airline ahead of time to be sure, however.
Confirm Your Requests
Finally, because mistakes happen and communication at airlines isn't always 100% clear, make sure that you contact your airline a couple of days before your flight to ensure that your special requests have been noted. This way, you can enjoy additional peace of mind and will be able to avoid unwanted surprises when you show up at your gate (such as an aisle seat not being available). Make sure you write down the time of your phone call to the airline and the name of the person you spoke to regarding your requests.
Traveling with a wheelchair isn't always easy. However, by taking the time to follow these steps, you'll be able to better enjoy your flight. For more information about wheelchairs, contact Neergaard Pharmacies or a similar company.
Share5 February 2015
