Keep Climbing
I recently purchased a light pink silk blazer because I hadn’t worn a blazer in I don’t even know how long ago. Comfort is key, even in professional clothes. I rehearsed my presentation three times. I felt ready. I was invited to Delta headquarters to speak to one of their safety teams about traveling with a disability. However, i
mposter syndrome reared its ugly head. I’m not qualified. I’m not an expert. I’m not professional. I’ve only flown a handful of times. But yet, they chose me for a reason. The day of my presentation had come.
The headquarters were ginormous and like its own town. Security was intense and gates were everywhere. After circling around multiple times, I found the place I needed to be at. I was greeted by a woman who gave up her entire day for me. She showed me all around Delta (not the airport) and how they orchestrate the magic of millions of flights a day, all over the world.
We were shown the flight-attendants and pilot training facilities. Which, I have a new-found respect for flight attendants. They go through extensive, grueling training. You’ll be in the safest of hands flying with Delta.
The other thing I have respect for is just the sheer amount of detail Delta puts into everything. Flying is a complicated process, and I never realized just how many wheels have to spin properly for it to function. Literally thousands of different jobs, training, and skills. It was head-numbing just how big Delta was. If you could think of it, they had a department for it.
After touring the buildings, I sat in a conference room with professionals. They called it “The View” because it had a beautiful view of the airport runway. Trees lined the background. Delta even had a little vegetable garden and honey bee hives. Anyways, some Delta employees logged onto Zoom and some were in person.
I had made a slideshow with pictures from my travels and went through the four things that those who are able-bodied should keep in mind for those with a disability who are traveling. I thought I’d share with you my presentation and experience with Delta.
Feelings
It’s nearly impossible to begin to explain what it feels like to have a disability. No one, even other people with the same disability, will have the same experiences and beliefs. I hope with my writing and words I can convey some resemblance. I attempted to describe what it’s like to be in my shoes, or wheels rather, at the airport. My perception is butt-level, I’m having to stare at the ground to watch people’s feet and suitcases. The sheer amount of emotions I run through in the day. How many people I have to advocate to. How many details I have to plan in advance. It can get overwhelming quickly. I’m also having to be brave and courageous by trusting the many hands that make it possible. Not just for me, but for my wheelchair and baggage to be safe and sound. I put the trust of my most valuable things being handled by strangers. And that is simply terrifying and hard.
Baggage
When you travel with a disability, you have a ton more luggage to lug around. It just is that way. For my trip to Mexico, I had five suitcases whereas my friend Sara brought one tiny suitcase and a backpack. That was it. My biggest suitcase had medical parts alone. My medical devices are not found anywhere else, cannot be bought, and could be broken. I wouldn’t be able to sleep, take medication, or breathe properly if not every piece was exactly right. And there are a lot of specific pieces. I brought three replacements of everything in case it broke.
You also have to figure out the equipment you need. On road trips, I bring my own hoyer lift and oxygen concentrator. But for flying, I have to find a company to my destination to deliver those products and rent it out for a typically outrageous price. This takes extreme planning, research, and time. Triple-checking and rechecking everything.
Physical Assistance
This is a tough subject. It’s intimate. Vulnerable. Not discussed often and not encouraged to be discussed enough. I described to the safety team how being transferred by strangers feels. It feels inhuman, like you’re a sack of potatoes, or a nuisance to them. I told stories of challenges where people didn’t listen to me to lift me. It resulted in not great transfers. But, I’ve also had uplifting stories of people volunteering to help and it made the world of a difference. People being kind and giving me space and respect. It feels undignified to be transferred by so many people. Although I get on the plane first and leave last, people still wait at the entrance and can see me being transferred. It’s invasive and just uncomfortable. People with disabilities have all kinds of different mobility needs. Making people with disabilities needs to be met as safe, comfortable, and as kind as possible, should be a priority in airline companies.
Time
When you have a disability, things just take longer for you. They just do. It’s almost double the amount of time honestly. I remember going to the doctors office and it took two hours to do all the testing they needed. They were shocked because it takes their other patients only one hour. At the airport, there's this feeling of being rushed and hurrying. I have to get to my gate hours before the departure to make sure all my needs will be taken care of. There's always something that comes up that takes time to solve as well.
I feel rushed to transfer, get out of my wheelchair, and enter my seat. This can result in me not advocating as well as I need to and potentially get harmed. To depart the plane, they try to get you off plane as quickly as possible. I've had to say multiple times it is my legal right to wait until my wheelchair is at the actual airplane ramp. People have argued with me and tried their hardest to convince me to get off. They assured me that my wheelchair will be available to pick up at baggage claim. The employees said I could use a regular manual wheelchair to navigate the airport. This simply does not work for me. I’ve to stick to my stance despite the many persuasions to get off the plane.
I understand the flight employees jobs. They have to be quick about things. So, I encouraged people to work together and be patient. Things will go a lot smoother if you give people with disabilities the time they actually need. It also goes for sensory disabilities. If someone needs a minute to get off or on the plane, it’s important to be understanding and respectful.
What Can You Do?
I couldn't just end the presentation without adding actionable items. You'll never entirely know someone's disability and their needs. It's simply impossible. It can also be harmful to assume things about a person’s disability. So, the one thing that anyone can always do is just to ask how they can help, and if their help is needed.
Many times, people in disabilities want their independence. They just might need extra time for adjustments to do what they need to do. It's important to ask and not just assume someone needs help because they might look like they do. I also mentioned to always ask the person directly and not their companion. I feel less than when people talk to my relatives or caregivers instead of me. As if I'm not there. They'll say like “is she OK” or “what does she need?” She can tell you thank you very much.
It was absolutely incredible seeing the engagement and concerns the entire team had. People were taking notes during my presentation, asking really in-depth questions, and actually wanted to hear my opinions. This is a rare occasion for me where people will actually make changes based on what I said. When I've complained about a building being inaccessible, I usually get brushed off. But not at Delta. Everyone at Delta was extremely kind and the most hospitable hosts. I hope to fly or visit their headquarters again soon. And as they say, they'll never stop climbing.