Travel used to be a pleasure, but no more. Public restrooms are often useless, and prolonged periods of time in a car without movement exacerbates our walking/movement difficulties. If your parents are willing to come and get you, that would be better than traveling alone. Your mom's idea of renting a van is a good one, and I'd probably choose that method. If you have a spare mattress, you could place that on top of the van's bed. As for getting out of the bed, you might want to try getting out of it in a different manner, such as lying on your stomach and sliding out (feet first) until your feet are on the floor (or even out the back door of the van) while your body is still on the bed. Then try standing up that way. You'd have to practice this method first.

By all means take your toilet seat, and don't be embarrassed to wear Depends during the trip. You might even want to consider traveling with a portable toilet in the van that could be supported securely on a platform, and then you could put your seat on top of that. Put up curtains or blankets on the windows for privacy. And if you stop at a hotel, just wash up rather than bathing, unless you have a walk-in shower. Skipping one shower isn't going to hurt.

Best wishes to you for a successful trip and move to IL. I will say a prayer for you about this hurdle in your life.

Here are some ideas that I have. They may or may not be helpful but I hope you will find a safe way to travel home.

Flying seems to be the best option. It is only a 2 hour and 25 minute flight from NYC to Chicago. I am not sure where you live in New York so you may have a longer journey.

You could have a wheelchair meet you at the curb and they will take you all the way to your gate. Just notify a skycap at the curb or a representative at the ticket counter to call for the wheelchair. Most airlines let you request assistance in advance.

You can ask for boarding assistance to get you into your seat. I have seen them help people get from the wheelchair to their seat, using a special chair.

Having a friend or family member travel with you would be best as they could assist you and advocate for you. If you could manage to get a Business Class or First Class ticket, you would have a roomier , more comfortable seat and more attention from the flight staff.

Using the restroom just before boarding and wearing a pair of depends would prevent any unpleasant accidents while traveling.


Here is the link to Delta and United's Special Needs page;

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/support/faqs/preparing-for-your-trip/special-needs-faqs.html

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/specialneeds/default.aspx


I wish you all the best.

Hi Dugrab.,the caravan seems like your best shot at getting home without too many difficulties. I wish you well getting there. Please stay in touch. Autumm

Thank you all for your support!!!

Mamamakk, thanks for the links! Dont know why I could not find those! I am going from SYR -> STL. Looks like there is no direct flights on delta, so a layover in ATL or LGA would happen. Making the trip 5-8 hrs.

This is really hard to figure out. A very painfull/stressfull flight day followed by who knows what or a 2 day driving day....

I got one vote for flying and 2 votes for driving in a caravan :)

Thank you so much for this info and support...

When/if you fly, do you worry about getting infections from other travellers? What do you do about it?

Hi Dugrab. During the last three years I have flown around Europe a lot. The longest flight is four hours to Turkey. I have never experienced any kind of infection from flying. Maybe I have just been lucky. I do always switch off those air blower things which blow hot or cold hair down on me from above. Best wishes. Autumm

Hi dugrab, You could get out a pen and paper to write out your concerns in a list with each form of transportation. Consider cost, dignity issues, comfort, and how quickly you can reach your destination. I think you might have some discomfort with any of the forms of transportation. Speed of arrival might be most important consideration in the overall scheme.

My vote is for the airplane. An airplane with a seat next to the bathroom would be probably the quickest way home. I do think you would get some good assistance too. You would probably need to let the airline know of your disabled situation for help.

Keep in mind cost and dignity might be more important than speed for you. Consider what weighs as most important. I think any transportation will have some discomfort too. You also have the consideration of what to do with your belongings and the timing of that arrival.

Best Wishes on your choices.

Check the website Kayak.com. I use it for all of my airline tickets. There are several options for flights from SYR-STL. Many are only 4 hours of travel time with a layover in Detroit or Washington D.C. This would be much more manageable than 8 hours of travel.

I am glad you found the "Special Needs" links helpful. I travel a fair amount and never worry too much about getting sick on a plane. I can get sick just as easily at work or out and about in my own neighborhood. I do bring Lysol wipes in a Zip-Loc bag and wipe the tray table and arm rests of my seat. I bring hand sanitizer and use it often. I have never had a problem.

I wish you a successful journey no matter which mode of transportation you choose.

I travel quite a bit for work (or at least I did). Make sure you sign up for wheel chair assist. Also talk to your airline for assistance with what you need but you will have to tell them what you need. I do know that they are not allowed to lift you out of your seat. If you need a lift, you need to bring someone who can do that for you. But every other aisle usually has an arm rest in the aisle that can rise. I use that when I am weak. I've also hoisted my butt onto the armrest to get the rest the way up. You can also make sure you get a bulk head seat. And First Class is easier to maneuver because there is more room. If it is doable at all, I book that.. I've asked flight attendants to "walk me off" the plane as I often have a tough time between the level airplane and the slant of the jetway.

I actually find a stop as I travel to my destination easier than a direct flight. It is less sitting time. If you schedule wheelchair assist ahead of time, they will get you to the next flight in time. They will stop you in the bathroom too. You may need to travel with a toilet riser seat to help you. Again, if you need lifted, you will need to bring your own person to lift you. How do you manage at home?

http://www.healthproductsforyou.com/p-14129-mabis-dmi-deluxe-plastic-toilet-seat-riser.html?gclid=CKWV9qfZnMQCFc9hfgodG6oAjg

I worked with a PT years ago to help me with some of my travel challenges. She mentioned many people with disabilities to wear adult diapers when they travel because it is just too hard to go to the bathroom. Luckily I've not needed that yet but it is a consideration.

I've not found I get more sick traveling then I do anytime I am in a crowd. I practice germ control, wash my hands often, use hand sanitizer, and I too clean off the tray and arm rests with a wipe.

The idea of a mobile home is wonderful, as for me. And it should not take a lot of money. Lots of people consider such a vacation as a separate dream. I also needed a choice of rest some time ago and I ran into http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/ChristianTKirk/2097058/. There are many options are available for you there. As for the minivans with the "home" inside, this is, in any case, the way out, especially if you love an active lifestyle and strive for maximum mobilization.

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