Air Travel Tips for Wheelchair Users

Today, my maternal grandmother flew from Orlando to Buffalo, New York, and she had to use a wheelchair to go through the airport due to medical issues. So, I thought this would be a good time to give air travel tips to wheelchair users. The most important tip is to think about what you'll need and get yourself prepared. Before you make your flight reservation, you should read your airline's policy about people with disabilities and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Keep your seat preference and any connecting flight times in mind when making your reservation. Contact your airline at least 48 hours before your flight to inform them you'll need special assistance. When you arrive at the airport, tell an employee from your airline you need wheelchair assistance.

Allow time for waiting in lines and a pat-down by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer. After getting to your gate, tell an agent you want to preboard the plane before non-disabled passengers. If you can't walk, you'll be transferred from your wheelchair to a narrow, high-backed aisle chair with security straps. Try to prevent wheelchair damage by attaching written wheelchair operating instructions to your chair and keeping removable parts with you. If there's damage, take photos of your wheelchair and notify the airline right away; you can file a compensation claim. Single-aisle airplanes don't have accessible bathrooms, so you should do your best to go to the bathroom at the airport before your flight. If you have an accessibility problem at the airport, you can speak with the complaint resolution official. For more information about air travel for wheelchair users, go to https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/travel/flying-tips-for-wheelchair-users-disabilities.html.

I during a flight in June 2009

(Photo by Tracy McGrath)

My New AFOs

Three weeks ago, I wrote about Derrick Campana, the man who makes orthotics for animals. Today, I'll tell you about my own experience with these braces. I wore ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs) for the first time while I was in preschool. They kept my deformed feet in place when I sat in my wheelchair and used a prone stander for weight-bearing. As I grew throughout my childhood, new AFOs were made for me with my last ones being made before I underwent post-surgery rehabilitation in 1998. At that time, I wore my AFOs while using a supine stander. After a while, they didn't fit well due to weight gain, and I didn't feel like getting new ones.

Last year, a DEXA scan showed my osteoporosis worsened. So, my parents and I decided it was time to get new AFOs so I can weight-bear on my feet again. Last month, I went to Hanger Clinic in Melbourne, Florida, where an orthotic specialist made a mold of my feet and lower legs. Last Thursday, I went back to Hanger to get my new AFOs, which were a much better fit than my old ones. I wore them while using my supine stander this weekend, and they were comfortable. There were a few red spots on my feet due to pressure, but the redness went away quickly. My new AFOs will help me in my effort to make my bones stronger. For more information about Hanger, go to http://www.hangerclinic.com/Pages/default.aspx.

My new AFOs
(Photo by Tracy Jensen-McGrath)

Spotlight: Rob Mendez

High school football coach Rob Mendez gave an inspiring acceptance speech after being presented with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs on July 10. Mendez, age 31, was born without arms and legs due to a rare disorder called tetra-amelia syndrome. After playing the John Madden video game, he served as manager and then quarterbacks coach for his high school's football team. Mendez was an assistant coach at several high schools over a 12-year period before he became the junior varsity head coach at Prospect High School in Saratoga, California, last year. Under his leadership, Prospect High's record this past season was 8-2. Mendez was featured in a SportsCenter special in February. For more details on this story, go to https://www.si.com/high-school/2019/07/10/rob-mendez-high-school-coach-jimmy-v-award-speech.

Rob Mendez

(image via globintel.com)

Spotlight: MusiCorps

Founded in 2007, MusiCorps is a rehabilitation program for wounded veterans in which they learn or relearn how to play a musical instrument. It helps them adjust to life with their new disabilities. As stated on the program's website, "With MusiCorps, disabilities disappear and severely injured veterans soar, reaching the highest levels of musical achievement." The MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band has performed with famous musicians at well known venues and on television. Most recently, the band performed the song "Chicken Fried" with actor/host John Stamos playing the drums on PBS's A Capitol Fourth last Thursday. For more information about MusiCorps, go to
http://www.musicorps.net/Home.html.

The MusiCorps logo

(image via facebook.com)

Spotlight: Derrick Campana

Prosthetics specialist Derrick Campana has been making braces and artificial limbs for animals at his practice, Animal Ortho Care, in Sterling, Virginia, for more than ten years. Campana (who used to make braces for people) sends casting kits to veterinarians and pet owners outside Virginia so they can make molds of the animals' injured body parts. Then, he creates the braces and artificial limbs out of thermoplastic material. Campana, founder of the Virginia-based pet service organization Bionic Pets, has helped animals in other countries. He presented TED Talks about his work and appeared on Animal Planet's Dodo Heroes a year ago. Campana is married with two children. For more information, go to https://www.earnthenecklace.com/animal-prosthetics-specialist-derrick-campana/.

Derrick Campana holding a prosthetic paw

(image via pbs.org)