03 Nov 09 How do you plan for a vacation when you have special medical needs?

We’re taking a vacation next week and the planning for it made me realize that there is a lot that must be considered and I’m very lucky because I only have to plan for clothes and a few basic necessities, nothing super complicated like medical supplies (other than my gastro pills). Everything from packing our own clothes to those of our children, what accessories do we take for getting ready each morning, what will the hotel provide, and what can we fit in our luggage without going over the 50 pound limit. I feel sorry for people who have to travel with large bulky items because it must be a complete pain to get it to and from the airport.

Think about it, if you need to take the electric wheelchair, how do you get that on the plane? I’m sure it goes in the regular luggage area and not as a carryon, but still, you’d have to hope that the baggage handlers would take care of it because those things are expensive and not just available at every corner store. It’s not like you can put it in your rolling garment bag with your dress clothes.

Ok, here’s another one. What if you’re someone who needs a automatic external defibrillator? Would you be willing to travel far from home without it? I’m sure there’s a ton of rules about those things. I think probably the airplane has one on board for general use, and the hotel would hopefully have one, but I don’t think you’d necessarily have someone on staff trained to use it. They are becoming more common in large public areas like sports arenas and convention centers.

I don’t know how people do it. I’m very fortunate that I don’t have to worry about those complicated issues right now. Maybe I will later, but for now I just get to tackle my nervousness about flying and try not to make myself crazy on the trip. But I’m looking forward to a nice vacation in Las Vegas. Wish me luck and a safe trip!