I had been thinking about writing about our experiences with Quinns for a while but finally decided to start this blog while we were on holiday. An escape to the sun meant our first experience of airport Special Assistance. We found the help we got at the two airports so very different; at airport one we got a lanyard while at airport two we got a person.
Maybe it was down to our inexperience. Maybe we didn’t know the right questions to ask. What even is Special Assistance? I guess the more you use it the more you learn. If you never have to use it then you don’t know anything. So often when I explain situations to people they say ‘I’d never thought of that.’ That made me think, perhaps if I write about my experiences it will help others understand more and that’s got to help, right?
It’s not my intention to moan about our circumstances here. We know that we are extremely fortunate. As a family we strive to give everyone what they need but with Quinns that comes with challenges. This blog is a place to share those challenges in making sure that we live our lives to the fullest.
Quinns, trains & changing places 
I think my mum has found the same. Since his stroke my dad can’t carry anything through that airport or even walk far and fast. So they get special assistance. I think they have started avoiding some airports!
LikeLike
That’s a shame they feel they need to avoid some airports. We found that just an extra pair of hands and a bit of extra time made all the difference.
LikeLike
My sister in law is exceptionally nervous about flying for about 300 reasons. The risk of them trashing her 30k wheelchair (she has insurance, but it’s custom built), the inevitable waits on the plane for the one assistance team to get round to her, the inability to use the bathroom. Flying is a complete nightmare for access.
LikeLike
It’s totally understandable to be nervous, I certainly didn’t get a great impression this time and there’s so much that’s still possible for us while Quinns is still small. It makes me so sad that he’ll miss out on opportunities to travel for the reasons you’ve mentioned.
LikeLike
Sarah is waiting for the day where it is a legal requirement for a plane to have a docked wheelchair, that she can transfer into outside the plane, and just roll on and off… it’s a bit of a no-brainer, but it just doesn’t exist…
LikeLike
…yet! I’ve no idea how we could make it happen but that is a really good idea.
LikeLike