Does the thought of traveling with your children and family members with disabilities and complex medical needs intimidate you and make you shy away from leaving the house? This is the episode for you! Join our friend of the show and fellow complex medical needs mom Kristy Kargel, as we chat about how to navigate airports, long trips, and making it from point A to point B without excessive stress.

We talk about:

• Finding accessible changing facilities
• Bringing medically necessary items as carry-on items
• Calling the airline two weeks prior to discuss specific travel needs
• Renting a modified van
• Writing into a waiver plan to justify funds to be utilized to cover travel needs
• Shipping supplies ahead of time from a durable medical equipment provider
• Pre-ordering groceries and having them delivered to your destination
• Renting a shower care
• Packing day by day for items necessary for each day
• Providing packets and information for fellow passengers
• Boarding the plane
• FAA approved seat harness available to keep passengers upright
• Noise-canceling headphones (for kids & adults)
• Video and photo social stories
• Bathroom locator apps for accessible restrooms
• The courage to give it a go
• Bed tents
• Free passes to national and state parks
• Beach wheelchairs
• Drive through zoos and safaris
• Accessible parking passes
• Easing into traveling and prepping the whole family
• Lowering expectations

Links

TSA Cares

Mamava

Accessible Travel in Florida

FAA Approved Harness

Autism on the Seas (For autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities)

Best Bathroom Locator Apps

Best Autism Bed Tents

Wheelchair Friendly Lodging in National Parks

FREE Lifetime Pass for National Parks

Facebook page for travel tips

Great travel tips for wheelchair users