This summer, my family and I would like to do some traveling. While I think about how much fun that would be to explore different places and site sightseeing, I can’t help but think of the downside of it all. Managing my limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) has many dimensions.
My family and I don’t travel much, but when we do, it’s always a demanding adventure. For me, I must pack up so many of my things, including my medical supplies. I’ve read stories and watched videos online about how traveling by airplane for wheelchair users can be difficult. Some have experienced their chairs being destroyed. I’ve read how the staff on airplanes don’t handle our wheelchairs with the best care. Some of them just throw our chairs on the plane any kind of way and I don’t want to have to go through that.
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The thought of my wheelchair being destroyed makes me nervous because it is my way of getting around every day. In the past, my chair completely shut down and needed major repairs. It’s a cumbersome process, almost like getting a car fixed and sometimes it takes forever.
My wheelchair is like my legs so that is my freedom and independence so when my chair is down it’s a lot on not only me but my household. That’s 1 of the scariest parts of trying to travel by plane because there is a chance that my chair won’t get back to me the same.
Recently, I saw a video where a young lady said to get a foldable electric wheelchair as a travel chair. I think that is the best option for anyone afraid of their primary chair getting destroyed. But the downside is the cost of the chair. While it’s not too bad compared to the primary chair cost, it’s still money that I don’t have now. I’ve spoken with my insurance company to see if they will pay for it, but everyone knows how difficult it is to deal with insurance.
As I’ve been researching easier ways to travel, I also came across a video of a wheelchair user taking the train. That would be something I am open to because I would not have to worry about my chair being destroyed. I also wouldn’t have to get out of my chair, and I’d be able to travel comfortably.
Again, I haven’t traveled to many places but just by the research I’ve done, it has made me excited and nervous at the same time. I’m excited because we do have options for wheelchair users who are trying to travel, but I’m nervous because it may or may not be a fight with insurance for the travel chair.
Hopefully, my insurance will cover the cost of an electric foldable wheelchair. That would be a great help for my family and me. The chair can also be used in the future if my primary chair has any issues. I am glad that type of information is out there for people that are disabled. I wish I knew about this chair sooner, but I am grateful for that information now. Disabled people deserve to travel comfortably and see the world just like anyone else.
