Traveling with MG is sometimes worrisome and sometimes scary. Here are a few hints on how to prepare yourself for any emergency that might crop up.
Depending on whether you drive or fly, different preparations are required. But in either case, make sure you plan out your trip and leave your itinerary with a contact person.
Take a cell phone and charger/car charger. Set a time for checking in with your contact person.
Take a list of emergency numbers, including your doctors’ numbers. Have your meds handy and extra meds in case of loss. A list of your medication information also is helpful in case of an emergency.
A medical ID bracelet is a must for all myasthenics. Tell your doctor where you plan to go and ask for his or her recommendation on hospitals or another doctor in the traveling area. Be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
If you are driving on a long trip. make sure you have plenty of water. If you suffer from swallowing trouble, take a tube of icing to help you swallow your meds. Snacks or fruit also help in emergencies, especially if you are a diabetic or have low blood sugar.
Plan several stops during your drive. Getting out and stretching keeps muscles from tightening up and cramping.
Keeping a cooler in the car with ice and water is also a must. In case of car trouble you have water to drink and you can put a washcloth, towel or anything handy in the melted ice and use it to cool yourself in hot weather.
If you are stranded in a remote area and you need help, use your cell phone. But do not try to walk to get help. Wait for help. If your cell does not work, this is when the contact person comes in. He or she knows where you are and if you do not call at the appointed time they can call help for you.
If you are flying, make sure your meds are in your carry-on bag. Because of the new restrictions on liquids, you will have to purchase your bottled water after you pass through security. One thing that you should NOT do is drink the water on the plane.
Most planes get water refilled when they land. You have no idea what type of water you will be drinking and it mixes with the water from the last place the plane landed. Bacteria and such could get into the drinking water. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer wherever you go.
Most airports are too large for a myasthenic to walk from one terminal to the connecting flight. Call ahead or ask when you book your flight for a wheelchair to take you from point A to point B. They will be happy to accommodate you. A few minutes before the plane is to land mention your request for a wheelchair to the steward and they will call ahead and make sure one is waiting for you.
If you plan to stay in a hotel during your travels, when making reservations ask about the handicap facilities. Many hotels profess to have handicapped-access rooms, but the standards vary greatly. To be certain that the accommodations will be suitable, you need to contact each hotel directly.
Do not trust information you receive from the central reservation people in hotel chains. Most reservation agents are located in another city and never see the hotel rooms. Insist on speaking directly to an employee at the hotel and ask them to describe the accessibility features.
When you reserve a handicap-accessible room and confirm it with a credit card, that hotel must provide you a suitable room when you arrive. If a hotel does not have a suitable access room available for your reservation, they must find you suitable accommodations at the same price.
Also ask about fire safety and what procedures they want followed if you are in wheelchair. I have personally called several hotels and the policies are different at each one. Ask if an emergency happens and you need an ambulance what they want you to do.
Some hotels have EMT staff on duty 24/7. When you dial 911 they automatically send trained hotel staff to your room. Most hotels have defibrillators and trained personnel to use them.
Nearly every city in the USA has one or more shuttle services that transport visitors from the airport to nearby hotels. Many of the shuttle services can provide handicapped access or will know someone who can. Check the Internet for airport transportation in the city you intend to visit, then contact the transport company in advance to determine if suitable transportation is available.
The Centers for Independent Living have offices or representatives in most U.S. cities. They are primarily for the benefit of local handicapped residents, but they always have someone that can provide visitors with information about transportation access in their city. We suggest you check one of the Internet telephone directories for the Center for Independent Living in the city you will visit.
If you wish to rent a car with hand controls, one may be available from a major car rental company in the city you will visit. Contact several major car rental companies well in advance to determine availability. If you wish to rent a scooter, contact the local Center for Independent Living to find a rental source, or use this link to a company that has scooter rentals in many cities across the USA: http://www.scootaround.com/
Service animals such as guide dogs or signal dogs are always exempt from such prohibitions. All restaurants, transportation facilities, shops, entertainment attractions and public buildings must allow service animals to accompany their owners. Unfortunately, a few states such as Hawaii require a quarantine of all service animals before entry. Check the requirements before you travel.
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