LEAVING ON A JET PLANE
--
Breath-taking, is it not?
On Tuesday, August 23, the hubby and I will land at the Phoenix Harbor International Airport for a long overdue visit with our little boy. I’m not a great empty nester. I miss my two hundred-pound, twenty-one-year-old baby every day.
After an unsuccessful year at a local university, my son floundered at home for two semesters. He found his tribe during family vacation in Arizona. The University of Advancing Technologies is a small private school of only 1,000 students in Tempe, AZ, who are living the dream. As these like-minded computer wizards study the ins and outs of the gaming industry, they play their way to a viable degree and a world of potential.
UAT offers degrees in cyber security, game design, software engineering, AI, visual arts, business and innovation, creation, and simulation. The classes are small. The approach is hands-on. Every student at UAT will complete an internship at some of the biggest companies in particular fields of study. (i.e. Disney, Department of Defense, Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell, FBI, CIA, Nickelodeon, MTV Networks, Google, Redstrom Entertainment. The list is crazy long.)
The classes are intense. Even the fine arts requirements are techie: Science Fiction in Literature.
My son loves it there, but Mom can hear the hint of homesickness in his voice. It’s not the geography he misses, though. He has suffered from horrible allergies all his life, so the dry heat (It’s still too hot for me!) and lack of humidity allow him a more comfortable existence, but it’s not home.
Of course, in his field of study and with his passion for computer communications, he easily remains in contact with his high school friends.
But it’s not home.
(I think I repeat that more for me than for him:)
TRAVEL PREP
Although my excitement outweighs the travel details, I am very much aware of the challenges ahead. Timing is an issue. I always plan in extra minutes to accommodate my slowness. If we need to arrive at 5:30, I tell Hubby we need to be where ever at 5:00. Depending upon our destination; I know the MonSter has its own agenda and like to plan accordingly.
I’m travelling light (or as lightly as possible) next week. A carry on and a backpack is all I need. I hope my folded-up trekking poles won’t cause too much havoc by setting off security alarms. I’m not certain aluminum handicap walking devices are top of the list of international weapons. But who knows? I will tuck neatly in their complimentary bag within my carryon. If they are confiscated, my handy bludgeoning cane will be at my side. Pick your poison.
I learned on a previous trip that South West Airlines (and probably many others) treats wheel chaired passengers and a companion to early boarding. No, I do not have a wheelchair, but that’s not a problem. The attendants are more than happy to find me one. This means Hubby and I are first on, first off, keeping my stress monitor at a doable rate.
Unfortunately, when traveling with foot drop, packing gets hairy. Extra undies and pants are necessary since I am an accident waiting to happen. Tightly rolled up garments will allow for the space in my suitcase, though.
I will place travel size toiletries in a plastic bag and put in my backpack along with my meds, phone charger, a book (or two), a notebook and pen, my wallet and travel itinerary.
I’ll carry a light jacket and let Hubby navigate the way.
I know I make it all sound so easy-breezy and often it is not, but I am determined to exorcise negative energy and enjoy our adventures.
Tired of my babble? Check out these sites for documented MS travel:
BY LAND OR BY SEA: TRAVEL AND MS
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Living-Well-With-MS/Home-and-Leisure/Travel/A-Doctor-s-Travel-Tips
https://www.abovems.com/en_us/home/living-with-ms/home-travel/tips-traveling-air.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/traveling-with-ms#6.-Invest-in-roadside-assistance.
Four words to travel by: You. Cannot. Over. Prepare.
https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2017/11/06/simple-tips-for-traveling-with-ms/
Living with the MonSter does not mean your traveling days are over. If you can organize your thoughts and focus on priorities, the world is your oyster.
SCREECH!
I must stop here. I hate oysters and have never understood this bit of sage advice. What do oysters have to do with worldly opportunities?
RESUME
MS dictates the way you travel, yes.
It does not eliminate travel from your life.
Shake off that pride and ASK FOR HELP.
Get off your high horse (or circus pony) and ACCEPT ASSISTANCE.
Don’t allow MS to interrupt your good times.
Life is what we make it. Make it happy.
Lisa, Lady With the Cane
Due to my adventure, next week’s posts will not happen. I will see you Monday, August 29.
