The challenges of traveling alone as someone with a disability
Navigating airports with a mobility aid isn't always easy
In early October, I traveled alone for the first time in a while. Usually I travel with friends, family, or my partner, but this time, I was visiting a friend in Colorado on my own. I packed my bags, grabbed my cane , and with a deep breath, made my way to the airport.
I don’t travel with my wheelchair as long as I won’t be doing much walking and will have access to a wheelchair if I need one. One of the main reasons I don’t bring my own is that I’ve heard many horror stories about checked wheelchairs getting stolen or broken. I’m too scared to take that risk.
Luckily, I know New York’s LaGuardia Airport well. When I arrived, there were attendants outside with wheelchairs, and I was able to go straight through to my gate, which was a relief. I was wheeled onto the plane, where a flight attendant was kind enough to help me put my bag in the overhead bin. I was grateful for that, as I’d forgotten how difficult it is to lift a bag with one hand while holding a cane with the other.
I was incredibly lucky to have a mostly empty flight. I had an entire row to myself, so I just drank water, napped, and did a hydrating face mask. My Cushing’s medication makes my skin dry , and being on a plane doesn’t help.
The Denver airport is huge, so I’m glad I requested a wheelchair. I had to take a tram to exit, and it was cramped, with minimal seating.
Colorado’s accessibility
My time in Colorado was easy and lovely. I was lucky to be among friends who are also disabled and, therefore, in tune with my needs. We went out, but we also spent time in the apartment doing crafts and watching horror movies.
The second day was the coolest because we went to Meow Wolf , a three-story art installation that was truly wild. It was a great experience for me as a disabled person. I used one of the wheelchairs provided and was able to check in my cane easily. There were a few small areas that I couldn’t get to, but 98% of the exhibit was accessible to me, with different elevators to get me to as many areas as possible. I had a fabulous time.
Back home
Flying back home wasn’t terrible, either. I was able to get a wheelchair at the Denver airport pretty easily, and an attendant took me on the tram and down several long corridors to get to my gate, where I then stood and waited with just my cane.
The main difficulty I encountered was that Southwest, the airline I took, requires passengers to have a note on their boarding pass if they need extra time getting on the plane. For some reason, mine didn’t have it this time around, and I had to walk out of my way to get that done and come back to my gate. I don’t mind that I needed this designation, but I do wish I had known about it earlier, such as when I was getting a wheelchair at the airport.
Boarding early is important for me, especially when I’m walking with my cane, because it takes me a long time to get on the plane, put my suitcase in the overhead compartment, and settle into my seat. Depending on the time of my flight, I may also need to take medication, which is easier to do when people aren’t around.
The next challenge was exiting the plane. The ramp was at a sharp incline, and I had my carry-on suitcase and cane. I was struggling and got lucky that someone came by and offered to carry my suitcase up the hill.
Overall, I know I can travel alone, but this trip taught me a lot. I will continue to find ways to make traveling with a disability easier in the future.
You can also follow my journey on TikTok and YouTube.
Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s disease.
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