Tips for Traveling With a Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury shouldn’t prevent you from traveling and exploring the world. The key is preparation to ensure you have your bases covered. Below are some tips and things to plan for when traveling in a vehicle and airline.

Before Leaving the House

Medications: Make sure you have enough with you in case you get home later than expected. If you have trouble with autonomic dysreflexia, make sure you have the proper medication on hand.

Hydration: Make sure you have enough water with you and keep it handy.

Bowl and Bladder Plan: Plan to travel during a time of day that works best for you. For example, a time when you are less likely to have an accident.

Supplies: Think about what supplies you should have on hand like your I.D. and medical information. Keep your information and contacts with you in case of an emergency.

Skin Integrity & Pressure Relief: Performing this may not be possible or safe while you’re in a vehicle. Plan to complete this before getting in or after getting out.

Know Your Chair: Have a plan for equipment problems like getting a flat on your wheelchair.

Timing Your Travel: Plan outings that match your energy level and activity tolerance.

Flying with Your Wheelchair

When reserving your flight, check the airline’s website for policies on wheelchairs, transfers, and if the plane will have an accessible bathroom. This blog post provides links to the disability services pages on all major carrier websites, as well as a list of phone numbers to request wheelchair assistance at the airport. Inform an agent that you are going to be using a wheelchair and request a bulkhead aisle seat. This is a disabled seat with removable armrests. Inform the airline that you’ll have an assistant or personal care attendant with you to help with transfers. Explain that they will have special clearances for them to get on the plane.

In preparation for airline travel with a powered wheelchair, confirm that you have gel batteries. Make sure to get them before your flight. For manual wheelchair users, consider hard rubber tires or solid inserts for travel. Take pictures of your wheelchair before getting on the plane. These pictures can be used if you find any damage to your equipment after your flight.

Schedule your travel day with extra time to allow for unexpected events. Prepare to direct all aspects of your care. If you use intermittent catheterization, you should consider using an indwelling catheter. If you have a bowel program, complete this earlier in the day before your flight. You may wish to discuss this with your healthcare provider before flying.

Packing For Your Flight

Pack a carry-on bag with all items needed for two days of personal care. This may include medication, utensils, extra clothing, equipment needed for catheterization and bowel programs, and supplies related to autonomic dysreflexia. On the day of travel, wear comfortable clothing. Airlines could be cold during the flight or hot when sitting on the tarmac, so wear layered clothing.

Arriving at the Airport

Arrive early at the airport and check in as soon as possible. Ask for a gate check tag for your wheelchair. For powered wheelchairs, prepare to inform the agent that you have gel batteries. Do not surrender your wheelchair until you’re on the jetway. Request that they return your wheelchair to you on the jetway and not at baggage claim. Anticipate extra time to get through security.

When you arrive at the gate, check in immediately or as soon as the agent arrives. Make sure your name is on the list for storing a wheelchair in the cargo hold. Reconfirm that they will return your wheelchair to you at the jetway, not at baggage claim. At the end of the jetway, you will transfer to an airline aisle chair. Airline personnel will then wheel you onto the plane. Keep your cushion with you.

On the Airplane

Once you’re on the plane, put your cushion on your plane seat and do the transfer from your wheelchair. If you need assistance, airline personnel should help lift you from your aisle chair over the non-removable armrest and into the plane seat. Be prepared to direct your plan of care and tell these assistants what you need them to do.

Once you’re in your plane seat, confirm with the flight attendant that your chair is loaded and that it will be waiting for you when you land. Before landing, confirm that your chair will be delivered to you on the jetway and ask that they keep an eye on it for you.

When you land at your destination, you’re going to be the last person to get off the plane, the reverse of how you loaded on. Upon receiving your wheelchair on the jetway, do a quick inspection before you or your caregiver sets it up. If there’s any damage, immediately go to the airline customer service center and file a complaint. Use the pictures of the wheelchair that you took before your flight to prove that the damage is new.

If you have areas of decreased sensation or no sensation, perform a thorough skin check as soon as possible. If there’s a non-fading area, plan to spend some time off of that affected area.

With a thorough plan in place, a spinal cord injury shouldn’t limit your ability to see the world. Use these tips on your next trip, whether in the car or on an airplane, for a successful trip. Safe travels!