Comments on: Traveling with Chronic Illness/RA Part 2: 20 Helpful Tips http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/ Bringing information & encouragement to fight RA Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:28:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-95414 Kelly Young Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:50:01 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-95414 Thank you. Good ones. Thank you. Good ones.

]]> By: Terro http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-95292 Terro Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:06:47 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-95292 I always call the airline ahead of time and request assistance while traveling. I discovered that in Frankfort there is a special lounge for disabled travelers where those in transit can wait, rest, have a snack/drink and wait for the attendant. Also bring along about an extra week of prescription meds in case of travel delays (such as when the volcano explosion happened). Then you don't have to find a place for an emergency refill if you are delayed. Sitting in an aisle seat is also good so you don't have to climb over others to get to the restroom. It's also easier to get assistance if sitting on the aisle. I travel to eastern Europe every year. I always call the airline ahead of time and request assistance while traveling. I discovered that in Frankfort there is a special lounge for disabled travelers where those in transit can wait, rest, have a snack/drink and wait for the attendant.

Also bring along about an extra week of prescription meds in case of travel delays (such as when the volcano explosion happened). Then you don’t have to find a place for an emergency refill if you are delayed.

Sitting in an aisle seat is also good so you don’t have to climb over others to get to the restroom. It’s also easier to get assistance if sitting on the aisle.

I travel to eastern Europe every year.

]]> By: Amy H. http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-70676 Amy H. Sun, 12 Jun 2011 12:53:48 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-70676 Thank you for all of this - I have had RA for 9.5 years, but it's only in the last 8 months that it has become horrific. I just had my first vacation since this extended, terrible flair. It was a real wake up call and very frustrating. Although I did still manage to enjoy the beautiful island and time away, it just "wasn't the same." Having your list handy for my next trip will surely be helpful - and also comforting. It's the first 3 items on your list that were the hardest for me - knowing I am in good company will surely be helpful on my next trip. Thank you for all of this – I have had RA for 9.5 years, but it’s only in the last 8 months that it has become horrific. I just had my first vacation since this extended, terrible flair. It was a real wake up call and very frustrating. Although I did still manage to enjoy the beautiful island and time away, it just “wasn’t the same.” Having your list handy for my next trip will surely be helpful – and also comforting. It’s the first 3 items on your list that were the hardest for me – knowing I am in good company will surely be helpful on my next trip.

]]> By: Jay http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-70629 Jay Sat, 11 Jun 2011 22:06:40 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-70629 I'd like to add a couple things. First - a night light. If you aren't that mobile and in an unfamiliar hotel room, you have to be able to find the bathroom without turning on all the lights and driving your spouse nuts. I swear it's a big comfort to have a little light plugged in. My other item is a back support in the car can help. I have a mesh and metal thing that only cost about $10 and it's very helpful, I’d like to add a couple things. First – a night light. If you aren’t that mobile and in an unfamiliar hotel room, you have to be able to find the bathroom without turning on all the lights and driving your spouse nuts. I swear it’s a big comfort to have a little light plugged in. My other item is a back support in the car can help. I have a mesh and metal thing that only cost about $10 and it’s very helpful,

]]> By: Molly http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-70606 Molly Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:58:31 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-70606 Thank you Kelly for this blog. I am flying to UK on Wednesday and alot of your suggestions are hopefully going to make my trip more enjoyable or even downright possible. Thank you Kelly for this blog. I am flying to UK on Wednesday and alot of your suggestions are hopefully going to make my trip more enjoyable or even downright possible.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-41056 Kelly Young Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:32:43 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-41056 That's a good one Rebecca. Yes, I've done that & the airlines are usually very good with helping. I also did get one wiseguy passenger who didnt think I deserved the help. Also, I've been very surprised how much airports vary about whether they'll help push the wheelchair. Just depends. That’s a good one Rebecca. Yes, I’ve done that & the airlines are usually very good with helping. I also did get one wiseguy passenger who didnt think I deserved the help. Also, I’ve been very surprised how much airports vary about whether they’ll help push the wheelchair. Just depends.

]]> By: Rebecca http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-41051 Rebecca Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:10:26 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-41051 I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, but if you are flying, you can request early boarding as a person with a disability. You do not need documentation, they cannot even ask your disability,though you will get some crazy and nasty looks from airport personnel and fellow passengers. You request this at the gate. My family is far enough that I need to fly, and the extra time to get down the ramp, plus not having to stand and wait is wonderful, as is the fact that I have more time to get settled in my seat without straining something. I hope this others as we all get ready to travel this season. Rebecca I don’t know if it’s been mentioned yet, but if you are flying, you can request early boarding as a person with a disability. You do not need documentation, they cannot even ask your disability,though you will get some crazy and nasty looks from airport personnel and fellow passengers. You request this at the gate. My family is far enough that I need to fly, and the extra time to get down the ramp, plus not having to stand and wait is wonderful, as is the fact that I have more time to get settled in my seat without straining something. I hope this others as we all get ready to travel this season.

Rebecca

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-32575 Kelly Young Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:17:36 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-32575 NOTE: There are some great tips by a reader here on <a href="http://rawarrior.com/shifting-sand-of-living-with-rheumatoid-arthrits/?show=comments#comment-32566">another post - click here.</a> Also on <a href="http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-1/">PART 1 of this Travel post here.</a> NOTE: There are some great tips by a reader here on another post – click here.
Also on PART 1 of this Travel post here.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-26979 Kelly Young Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:36:26 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-26979 Hi Tara, I'm so glad you have someone who understands your needs. That is amazing. I hope your trip is fun. I never bought dry ice - that's a good idea. Hi Tara,

I’m so glad you have someone who understands your needs. That is amazing.

I hope your trip is fun. I never bought dry ice – that’s a good idea.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/traveling-with-chronic-illness-ra-part-2-20-helpful-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-26971 Kelly Young Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:27:55 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=5566#comment-26971 Thats a very good point, Tara! I also wonder about crowd safety or panic. Airports are so crowded. I was injured by a wheelchair last time I was in the airport. If it had been a scooter, it would have been much worse. Thats a very good point, Tara!
I also wonder about crowd safety or panic. Airports are so crowded. I was injured by a wheelchair last time I was in the airport. If it had been a scooter, it would have been much worse.

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