3 replies to this topic

[diamondquad]

I am full of nervous trepidation even at the thought of flying abroad. I have been spinal injured for 13 years, I have thought about a holiday many times but each time I have a feeling of consternation and apprehension sets and i breakout in a cold sweat. I would love to go on holiday with my wife and two children (8 and 9 -year-old boys).

I am a C4 complete tetraplegic, paralysed from the shoulders down I am about six foot tall and about 81 kg in weight. I would appreciate any advice or tips from anybody especially those who are tetraplegic and have flown before, how did you fly? How did you transfer from wheelchair to an aeroplane seat, and who helped? Are carers allowed on the plane to help with the transfer.? I have read and heard some nightmarish stories of experiences people have had . I use a power wheelchair with head control, should I take it with me? Or should I take a normal wheelchair ?.

I would like to visit Egypt , does anybody have any advice, or tips about do's and don'ts. About hotels they can recommend especially with facilities like hoists and pressure relief mattresses.

I will be indebted and most grateful for any help anybody can offer.

Diamondquad

[monikamadrid75]

Hey Diamondquad

There are a lot of threads about this, but here's a quick reply for you.
I am the girlfriend of a C5/C6 quad and we recently flew from Hervey Bay to Sydney. It was only an hour and a half, but i guess the procedure is the same in all cases....
He had to fly with a carer according to the airline. He made it very clear that he could not walk AT ALL - they often assume that you might be able to... just a little bit.... I had to fly with him as a carer. The groundstaff helped me transfer him into an aisle chair just at the foot of the plane, we got him in, transferred him to an aisle seat, next to me - and they put his chair in the belly of the plane. Honestly, it was no issues at all. He never sat on his cushion - because of the duration of the flight - he has a Jay J2 - but i believe that many people have flown sitting on their cushions - from what i understand from posts anyway... At Sydney they got the chair out just at the door of the plane in the tunnel and we did a quick transfer right there.
He reduced liquid intake before the flight and it was short enough not to worry - he did use a legbag, though, but it hardly was necessary.
I think it seemed quite routine and the people could not have been friendlier - i just had some old lady next to me telling me the whole time how brave I was for the whole flight.... a penny for all those....
Virgin seemed to have no problem with power chairs - and in the long run on a vacation they are easier when you are in hilly terrain or your wife or kids are too tired for the uphills!

The biggest thing you need to concerned about is what you would do when you arrive - hotels, transport and the lot. We had a hotel with a disabled friendly room, but we couldn't get the hoist under the bed! - they quickly fixed that with bricks - but the trick is.... BE SPECIFIC WITH EVERYTHING. Don't just assume!

Good luck! It all very possible - it was my first time helping out but both of us found it not unpleasant at all.

x
Monika

[diamondquad]

Dear Monika ,


Thank you for taking the time to respond, and for your helpful tips. Can I just ask you when you helped to transfer your husband into the aisle chair who else helped you and were they trained?, were you allowed on the plane to transfer him before all the other passengers boarded?. And did he use the normal seatbelt to hold him on his seat safely?

Thank you again.

Kind regards,

Diamondquad

[monikamadrid75]

No problem....

On the transfer to the aisle chair and seat we were helped by one of the ground staff - they were probably not specifically trained - (but were VERY courteous and willing) - they asked us to be at the check in desk a bit early so we could get in as soon as the plane was ready. Carers HAVE to help with the transfers. I took responsibility and did the big bear hug part and let them just do the legs - under Jeremy's instructions.... also, it seemed less risky that way. We transferred before anyone else was on the plane and had enough time to get comfy before anyone else got on. We did take a strap with us just in case - used it for take-off but after we were up and the seatbelt signs went off we just tilted the chair back and this seemed to solve any balance issues - your strap will bother the person behind you with their tray table - so it's probably best to make friends with them and they should be ok... While we were landing I just stretched my arm over across his torso and held onto his armrest in case he was going to lose balance forward - we never bothered with the strap again.
When we got to Sydney we had the chair waiting at the passenger door and after all the passengers had disembarked we transferred back into the aisle chair and then quickly into his chair at the door of the plane. We were the last off and our lonely suitcase was doing depressed circles around the conveyor belt ....but I think it forgave us as it had a lovely holiday!