Many have been asking me… what about travel now! Per CDC guidelines, travel is not recommended unless essential. However, the decision to travel or not to travel is really up to you. Traveling because you are exposed in the community opens up risk of infection, thus those medically compromised should think twice. Note: international travel is near impossible thanks to border closures. Photo by Free To Use Sounds on Unsplash Obvious recommendations include general CDC guidelines – wearing a face mask at all times, frequent (and throughout) hand washing, avoid touching your face, and social dist ..read more

The CDC estimates between 2013-2015, 54.4 million people were diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Though there are hundreds of types of arthritis, the two main types are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis which is known as the “wear and tear” type of arthritis, is degenerative and primarily caused by overuse. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes one’s immune system to accidentally attack healthy cells in certain locations in your body. Whichever type you are diagnosed with, travel is still possible. You may have to change your expectations or man ..read more

Seattle, WA – You name it, they got it AND it’s handicap accessible! All public transportation including their Bus system, Ferries, King County Metro and Sound Transit Light Rail are all handicap accessible with additional audio and visual stop announcements. There are also accessible taxi options thanks to Yellow Taxi. Plus their weather tends to be on the milder side, so you can plan your vacation just about any time! Major tourist attractions including the Space Needle, Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Zoo, Pike’s Place and Aquarium which are ALL wheelchair-friendly. The Seattle Art Museum ..read more

Photo by Peter Hansen on Unsplash Cruises are one of the most popular ways to travel. Not only do they offer a variety of destinations without the stress of having to move accommodations, but they provide endless food, fun, and amenities. As wonderful as this sounds, advanced planning is still required to make this a disability friendly vacation! Planning Your Cruise Picture of My Husband and I on Our 1st Cruise For Our Honeymoon! Please, please, please RESEARCH prior to booking any cruise. Part of this research should include calling the cruise line directly to discuss necessary adaptions and ..read more

Photo by Osman Rana on UnsplashRide Shares & Taxis One of the most popular methods of transport to and from airports and to tourist destinations are through ride share services or taxis. These options typically require a passenger to transfer to a seat and store whatever device is being used into the trunk cargo area. When booking these services, make sure you keep in mind the size of your devices that require storage when choosing your car size (i.e. UBER XL). Uber and Lyft are both beginning to offer handicap accessible vehicles options. Uber’s program is called UberWAV and is being test ..read more

Photo by David Travis on Unsplash Traveling is more then just SEEING the world, it is EXPERIENCING it! Don’t let partial or complete blindness keep you from experiencing different cultures, food and people. Once you decide to make this leap, discuss your Travel plans with your MD and receive a medical letter indicating your impairment, just in CASE! If this is your first time traveling or traveling solo, consider seeking the assistance of an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to prepare for a safe journey. Navigating Airports in 5 Easy Steps Photo by Jue Huang on Unsplash 1. Call ahead- commu ..read more

How to decide what Adapted Equipment to Bring? The answer to this question isn’t necessarily the device you use most in your everyday life. The answer has more to do with your current functional level and activity plans for your upcoming adventure. I have made a helpful flow chart to help you choose the right device for your vacation, but be sure to talk with your doctor or physical therapist to ensure your safety. Download the Attachment Below for Larger Format Doc6-1Download Bring it or Rent it? Once you decide what Adapted Device to bring with you on your vacation, you must also know and un ..read more

Picture of my dog Scout (Not a Service Dog but still VERY Cute!)What is defined as a Service Animal? A service animal is a dog that is specially trained to perform a certain task(s) for an individual with a disability. These tasks are specific to the disability, i.e. seizure detection, blood sugar detection. In contrast, an emotional support or comfort animal can be a variety of animals that are NOT specially trained to perform a task. These animals are not considered service animals and thus do not qualify for the same allowances service animals do. Some cities and states allow emotional supp ..read more

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash Depending on what type of wheelchair and accessories you own, the total cost of these devices can total tens of thousands of dollars. This is a hefty price tag to entrust into the hands of strangers when going aboard an aircraft. To make this even scarier, the LA Times reported that in 2019 from December 4-31 (only 27 days), 32,000 devices were mishandled by staff and a total of 701 chairs were lost or damaged. Nothing could be a worse way to start off a vacation then find your ONLY means of mobility has been damaged in transit. This makes doing what you ca ..read more

TSA can be a NIGHTMARE for those who do not do come prepared. Understanding the policy and procedures will really help you get through without gaining too many gray hairs! Photo by Francisco Delgado on Unsplash1. Pack Your Medications Appropriately When packing for your trip, remember pack all medications in your carry-on bag. Leave these medications in their labeled containers as that is required. All medications, breast milk or medical necessary devices/equipment (even syringes) are allowed through security in addition to the items required to maintain proper storage (i.e. ice packs, cooler ..read more