Dear Friends, I had previously responded off list to Eva Sohlberg's considerate and useful response--exactly what I needed by way of detail and first person experience. I am much encouraged. And better informed. Thank you, David Ciotola, for helping me find my missing assertiveness. Thank you, Magenta, for support I hope you find Eva's post useful. Thank you again Mitzi. I am including the text of my prior note to Eva as I receive digest mailings and was not certain when her single post arrived that she had posted to the list. Each of you has been very kind and given me a tremendous lift. Steve M. "Bless you, Eva, THANK YOU!!! Your description makes the procedure seem practicable and enjoyable. I'm much encouraged. From your description, the chair's more ready to fly than it's until now tentative occupant. My gratitude that you shared the details and the benefit of your experience. Seems you've very much survived to tell the tale. Really needed my hand held on this one. You should see my grin: from chagrin to happiness. My best regards, Steve Margolis PS: Are you in Sweden?" -----Original Message----- From: Eva Sohlberg [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, July 05, 1999 4:31 PM To: CP_Dystonia Subject: Re: Travelling with electric wheel STEPHEN MARGOLIS wrote: >I'm almost ready to travel on my with my electric wheel chair. I have no >current experience with airports and planes. My prior experience occurred >in the good old days when I could walk, CP fashion, and make upright eye to >eye contact. > >I need solid practical advice and much emotional/moral support to get past >my ignorance and fear. Hello Stephen, Flying with a wheelchair is the most comfortable way. Be sure to tell your travel angency to book the wheight and measures of your wheelchair and the kind of assistance you'll need during the transfers and with luggage etc, into the computer booking system well in advance, and have all the air companies to o.k. it, before you pay the tickets. There should be no extra costs for the wheelchair, walker and other equipment you are depending on. You must have modern leak proof gel batteries, and they shall be disconnected, but remain in the chair before packing and loading on bord the aircraft. It will be carried as 'special luggage' in this compartment of the plane(s), and is loaded and unloaded by the airport ramp staff, as you change planes. At the check-in counter they will look at your computer booking codes to see that you need assistance with a manual chair and a man to push it, and that you'll have to be carried in the stairs, but are able to walk inside the cabin (for example), if that is what you said at the travel agency. - So they'll telephone for a manual chair to start with ... Disconnect the battery cords of the wheelchair and ask for some red packing tape with the airlin's logo on, and have all loose parts taped for protrection. I put the battery charger in an hold handbag and tie it on the chair, too. Check in your luggage as usual, and the ramp staff will bring the wheelchair down to be loaded as special luggage. It will be brought in at your destination while you're waiting for your suitcases, remove the tape, plug in the batteries and off you go! Happy landing, Eva -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Sunday, July 06, 1997 2:00 AM To: CP_Dystonia Subject: CP_Dystonia Digest #276 - 07/06/97 Travel with Electric Wheels by "I. STEPHEN MARGOLIS" <[log in to unmask]> Re: CP_Dys:Travel with Electric Wheels by "David Ciotola" <[log in to unmask]> Re: Travelling with electric wheel by "Eva Sohlberg" <[log in to unmask]> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: CP_Dys:Travel with Electric Wheels From: "David Ciotola" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Mon, 05 Jul 1999 10:06:28 -0800 Hi Steve, Just remember that flying is one of the safest ways to travel statistically. Also, the airlines should be VERY willing to assi= st you. Although I have had no experience myself If they aren't I would threaten them with 2 things: 1) you will demand a refund of your fare and change airlines 2) you will get a lawyer and charge them with not complying with ADA Good luck and enjoy your trip David