Behind the Scenes of My Travels

I said a while back I wanted to write about travel and fun adventures, so here I am doing just that (sort of).  Travel is something I love and can still do, but it is no where near as fun, relaxing, and etc. as it used to be with my current disability level.  Yes, I still get enjoyment out of it or I would not do it.  Frankly, if I do not travel, I may not ever leave home except to ride in a car, so it is pretty necessary. 

My husband, Steven, and I booked a last minute trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that we returned home from on July 4, 2021.  We did not take many pictures because this was a simple "go to the pool" kind of vacation.  Of the pictures we did take, it appeared we were having the "normal" relaxing vacation.  Because pictures only show a snapshot in time, I wanted to share the following behind the scenes processes I go through and what I deal with to take a "relaxing" vacation.  Please note, I did do some online reading about traveling with mobility issues in the lower extremities and what I do is pretty much what others like me do.

Traveling with my bestie always makes me smile no matter what!

• No Water

Through lots of years of experimentation, I found that water travels through my body the fastest.  Therefore, I will drink anything but water on my trips (even coffee and energy drinks - weird, I know, but it has been proven to be very effective).  It is not as bad as it sounds and allows me a decent amount of time between bathroom breaks.  I do this because going to a bathroom in a wheelchair is pretty sucky even if you can still stand and move a little like me.

• Planes

I am currently walking onto planes after getting out of my wheelchair at the plane's entrance with Steven walking in front of me and me holding his shoulders .  I get stared at the whole time this is going on and thank goodness I do not care. 

When getting off the plane before asking if I would like to sit or stand while waiting for my wheelchair to be deplaned, I found that 100% of the time I am told there are wheelchairs to sit in as soon as I get off and every single time I have to explain that I will stand.  I understand that everyone is being nice, but it would be good to be asked if I need/want to sit after getting off the plane as opposed to assuming since no two wheelchair users are the same.

• Restroom Planning

Planes:  If I have to use the restroom on a plane, Steven and I have to do the same buddy walk I described above and I have to manage a very tiny restroom while struggling to move. It's super fun especially when everyone is staring at you when you return to your seat. The next step for me would be self-catheterization,  so I would not need to use the bathroom, but I am hoping to avoid that for as long as possible mostly because I do not want to handle one more thing to deal with multiple sclerosis.

Out and About:  I learned what my body feels like when I think I may need to pee, so when at the pool, for example, I try to say I need to go in and use the restroom as soon as I feel like I may.  If I wait, I run the risk of having to go urgently as soon as get to a toilet.  Continuing on with the pool example, Steven gets my wheelchair and towel, I get out of the pool myself if I can or Steven helps, get in the chair, and as was the case at our resort, if there is not a restroom I am comfortable with, we go to our room.

• Pools 

I used pools as an example for restroom planning, but I have more to say about them.  They are not easy for me get in, get around, or get out, but I love them.  Thankfully, I no longer care about standing in front of a bunch of people with my bathing attire on and that once again people are staring at me.  Because I get out of my chair, hold the railing, and can get into the pool, I get why people stare; it is not something you see every day.  I am typically the only person in a wheelchair at a pool, so I suppose that is another reason people stare.

While not in the water, I do okay with the heat, but I am not able to move my legs much with or without the heat.  Therefore, Steven has to be my leg mover.  If my legs are too close together, he has to move them apart.  If I lay down too low on a lounge chair, he has to move me. Not quite relaxing.

• Handicap Rooms

Thank goodness for handicap rooms (meaning I am glad they exist), but I am worse in them.  Also, thankfully, we only had a handicap room for one night when our return flight was cancelled.  Let me explain.  I still get up and "walk" with socks on (holding on to walls/inanimate objects if I do not have a walker with me).  If there are no slip floors, I am in danger.  If there is toilet far away from the sink and I am on my feet, it is much harder for me to get there, and if the shower is meant to wheel into and I do not use a wheelchair to get to the shower, it is not good for me.  Unfortunately, people ASSUME because I'm in a wheelchair I NEED a handicap accessible room, so I have gotten them without being asked if I needed one and I am already running on physical ability fumes, so I do not bother to ask for a new room because I don't want to move again.

The funniest part about this is outside the handicap rooms, I almost always have to climb bus stairs, van stairs, and the like because they lack handicap accessibility. 

The room we had for the full trip was not handicap accessible and was much easier for me. All I can say to the world is please do not assume how much help someone needs if they use an assistive device.  Ask them! 

• Meals Out

Those who know me know eating good food is one of my greatest loves.  I do not like to eat in my wheelchair.  Before I can speak or do anything, my chair at the restaurant table is being whisked away and Steven and I have to explain I will get out of my wheelchair and into the chair at the table EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  I like this because I feel like my old self at least while dining, I am at the same level as everyone else and I do not spill/get food all over the chair that I use in place of my legs.

• Packing

I had no idea that my planning and organizational skills would be put to the ultimate test when I could no longer pack completely on my own.  I have to know all my clothes and shoes in my head to start mentally thinking about what I need.  I have to make a packing list (not something I did until now).  I do survey my clothes and if I am able to gather some I do.  Then Steven has to do the rest while I watch and try to make sure I get all my stuff.  If I do not see all of my things go in, I may not know where something is when we get on our trip and it is very stressful to miss something you wanted on the trip. 

This trip would not be complete without...

• Someone commending Steven for doing what he does for me, which always makes me feel like a burden.  I get it.  Again, just people being nice that do not realize the effect it has on me. 

• A driver at the airport asking Steven if I could walk while I was sitting in my wheelchair beside him, so he did not have to lower the ramp.  Steven said I could and I said, "She can talk too.".  Then I popped out of my chair and made it up the steps without help other than the railing (it is hard to do, but I do it).

The Good Stuff

I do drink alcohol on occasion and yes, I do enjoy it.  It is not great for me physically, but at this point I have nothing to lose.  The fruity drinks were sooo good!

 

I love seeing animals at resorts!  This cat was very loved and well cared for by all.  This is one example of a bit of joy I get from vacationing. 

I very much appreciate the beauty of exploring and seeing new things.  This picture of the sunset is completely unfiltered.  I sat at our table and Steven got the shot, so I did get to enjoy the sunset from start to end!