Flying with Multiple Schlerosis

[disnut1149]

Hi
My sister has MS and is unable to walk but only a few steps without a wheelchair. Her DH just booked a trip to Florida for a wedding and she's really worried about getting onto the plane. She's usually in a power chair, but has a small push wheelchair that her husband can gatecheck at the entrance to the plane. Has anyone had any experience or know anyone who has had any experience trying to get to your seat on the plane if you can only take a few steps? How do people fly, or don't they? I told her I would check with you and maybe get some answers. Thanks for any info.
Joan

[wheelie]

It is no problem. She should let the airline know that she needs an aisle chair. They will have her transfer to the aisle chair and get her to her seat where she can again transfer. Tell her not to worry. Many of us who are unable to walk at all fly. Tell her to have a great time.

[disnut1149]

Thanks so much. I never heard of an aisle chair. That's great. I'll call her tonight.:)

[SueM in MN]

Sorry about these pictures - I turned them and then saved them. When I open the file on my computer, they are turned the correct way. But, when I try to load them onto the DIS site so I can share them, they don't stay turned.
So, either you will have to turn your head, your computer or just download them to your desktop and turn the photos. ;)
The first picture shows an aisle chair. They all are pretty much the same, although they may look a little different. They are basically a small, narrow wheelchair with small wheels. It is narrow enough to fit down the aisle.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/747/2590aisle_chair-med.JPG

The next picture shows my DD in the process of being transferred. The airline staff will do the transfer because there are some specific things that need training to do correctly. There are straps they fasten to keep the person in the chair and make sure arms and legs don't get out of place. The person's wheelchair is parked right next to the aisle chair for the transfer.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/747/2590transfer_to_aisle_chair-med.JPG

This is another picture of the process and shows the flight attendant fastening the straps.
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/747/2590transfer_to_aisle_chair3-med.JPG

I have not actually ever seen the transfer from the aisle chair to the airplane seat. My DH stays with DD and I am busy dealing with her wheelchair. By the time I am done, she's already settled in her seat.

[disnut1149]

Thanks SueM,
Your pictures really give me a better idea. I told my sister and she said thanks for the info. I don't know if she'll go to Florida. She's undecided. I think she's afraid that her legs will stiffen up so badly, that she won't be able to transfer from the aisle chair, and when they get like that, it's like trying to bend a cement pole.
Joan

[WheeledTraveler]

I definitely know (online) people with MS who travel including planes all the time. You might want to check out Wheelchair Junkie (http://www.wheelchairjunkie.com) and the message boards there where they have quite a few people with MS who fly, including flying with their powerchairs. If your sister uses the internet at all, she might want to check out some of the threads on flying with a wheelchair. She might also be interested in the MSWorld Message board that's associated with the National MS Society. I'm sure people there would also have tips on traveling and would be able to give her advice.

I don't have MS (or, at least, we're fairly certain I don't), but I do possibly have a demylienating disease (I've been playing the diagnostic game for years) and use a manual wheelchair, although a powerchair is probably in my eventual future. One thing that didn't get mentioned above was that there are certain seats on a plane where the aisle armrest can be lifted up. That means that people who cannot stand at all can move to the seat. I don't know if that would make a difference to your sister. If she wants to do the trip, as well, it's worth her talking to her doctors about how to best manage symptoms so that she can enjoy herself. They may have suggestions for her legs stiffening up, etc.

Good luck with figuring things out :)

[Ms_Butterfly]

Thanks SueM,
Your pictures really give me a better idea. I told my sister and she said thanks for the info. I don't know if she'll go to Florida. She's undecided. I think she's afraid that her legs will stiffen up so badly, that she won't be able to transfer from the aisle chair, and when they get like that, it's like trying to bend a cement pole.
Joan

Does she have a PT? I know my friend with MS went to PT at one point (when her insurance covered it). If so, she can ask the PT for exercises to keep her legs from stiffening up. Otherwise, maybe her doc would know.