A sick feeling sinks like a stone in my stomach. My wheelchair wouldn’t fit in the baggage claim, the flight attendant told me. My only options were to refund our tickets or put us on another flight.
My caretaker and I sat there, surrounded by our carry-on bags and well-placed plans, stunned by this news.
Because I have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), flying is difficult. The two biggest challenges are securing my wheelchair and getting me safely on and off the plane. I had never traveled with this airline before, but when I bought our tickets two months in advance, I did my best and gave them a full and detailed account of my disability and special assistance needs. It wasn’t my first time flying, so I thought I had all the bases covered.
Canceling and rescheduling my flight was not an option, so either way, my wheelchair and I would board that flight in the next hour.
Flying a spaceship that solves problems
A little while later, two logistics people checked my wheelchair to see if it could be folded up, separated or placed on its side. The answer to all these questions was a resounding no, but this led us to our solution.
My power wheelchair has special functions for tilting and tilting, and we found that by taking the head out and tilting it back, it would fit through the door of the cargo bin. I told them that I would be the one to change the angle, and they should not have handled the process after I left the chair. They agreed, and we continued with our plan.
Once the problem of finding my wheelchair on the plane was solved, a new one arose: how to get me on the plane.
At the gate, a flight attendant explained to me how I would be removed from my wheelchair, placed in an aisle seat, boarded the plane, and taken to my assigned seat. All good conditions, and something I’ve done a few times before, so I listened calmly before adding that I would need to be hoisted onto the ADAPTS travel sling I had brought with me.
I can’t, I’ve learned. Flight attendants were prohibited from handling any special access items brought by passengers. I was told that the airline’s policy was for my safety, but that’s also why I used my travel sling. I am really injured from lifting due to low muscle tone in my shoulders and neck.
The only options were to do it their way, have my attendant wake me up, or get my tickets refunded. Another obstacle.
But after a strong, stubborn standoff, the employee came up with a third chance. He called the emergency medical team at the airport to get me out of my travel sling! He then called the airport of our destination to inform them of this special arrangement so that they could be prepared in the same way! He then put a note on my return flight so that my flight home would be safe, smooth, and hassle-free!
This experience reminded me how important it is to think outside the box, find a third option, and look for the best solution. There’s probably no challenge you can’t overcome if you collaborate with like-minded and creative people, wherever you are.
Note: SMA News Today is a website for news and information about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not a SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and is intended to spark discussion about issues related to spinal cord injury.
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