Hi Deb,
Airlines request and often require passengers who need extra assitance to
have an able companion on the plane with them.  (Think safety such as
needing to leave the plane in case of an emergency).  How long is the
flight?  Sounds like the family needs to do some fancy rigging to get her in
and out of the chair in the airplane.  Security does allow someone to come
with the unaccompanied minor to the gate but, I don't know about getting on
the plane.  Is she having someone meet her?  

Beth t. the OT 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cerebral Palsy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
> On Behalf Of Dufour, Deb RQHR
> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:43 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Airline travel
> 
> I have a big question and hoping that there are some easy 
> answers :-) (Knowing and understanding that NOTHING is ever EASY!)
> 
> =20
> 
> I am working with a family to figure out some airline 
> accessibility seating difficulties.  This family flies often 
> enough (yearly) and has figured out how to rig up a seat belt 
> concoction that keeps their 14 year old daughter sitting 
> relatively upright in a regular airline seat.
> This has worked well enough for them in the past that we 
> haven't had to look further.  The difference this time, is 
> that their daughter is flying all by herself to spend some 
> time in Ottawa with other students her age ... and her 
> parents aren't going with her to do the strapping and to make 
> sure that she is comfortable and safe the entire trip.
> 
> =20
> 
> This young girl has spastic quadriplegia CP and really 
> struggles with seated balance (in her power and manual 
> wheelchairs she sits on a Quatro ROHO cushion with 
> three-point lateral support and a butterfly chest strap.
> 
> =20
> 
> Is anyone aware of anything we can add to the airline seat to 
> help with her seated posture?
> Has anyone had to setup temporary guardianship with a 
> stewardess/steward to ensure your or your child's safety?
> 
> =20
> 
> =20
> 
> For the time being, I've asked the parents to take their 
> daughter to the airport to sit her in one of the seats (they 
> have a demo seat we have been told that we might be able to 
> use for this) to rig her up how they usually do it, take 
> pictures and video, and then hopefully find someone willing 
> to take responsibility.
> 
> =20
> 
> Thoughts?=20
> 
> Any comments, feedback or suggestions will be appreciated!
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Deb (OT) =20
> 
> 
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