10 Things I learned or wouldn't have been wìthout on my latest travels.

1) Book flights before your travel insurance. 

I did it the other way round not realizing I had a 24 hours cooling off period with the flights. I was within this cooling off time when I realised I needed to change my return flight (to avoid snowy Chicago) but as I needed to change the date due to there being no direct flights from Orlando back to London, I incurred additional insurance costs.

2) Speak to the assistance team for the airline you are travelling with directly & explain in detail what your needs are. 

3) Ask for the telephone number you can ring for assistance when you get dropped off at the airport if you need help with luggage. 

NB - this is different to the porter service that costs £35 at Heathrow.

I was travelling alone so getting from the threshold to the checking in desk wheeling a suitcase with a hand in a splint whilst steering an electric wheelchair would have been hard. 

4) Ask if a bag containing medical equipment / medìcation can be allowed in addition to usual luggage

5) Take a firm cushion to make the aeroplane seat higher to get up from.

6) Take a non slip mat to go in the shower or bath.

I took a rubber mat with suckers on the bottom which I'd cut in half. 

I was very glad I did as despite the accessible rooms I'd booked having a "roll in" shower (which is the American term for a wet room) none of the floors were non slip or had any grip. One in particular was so smooth that it was like glass with any water on it & my sticks (despite having furrals with plenty of grip on the end) skidded & I nearly fell - good job I was holding a rail.with one hand at the time!

7) I took a stool which I needed in the shower, to have a way of sitting at the sink etc

8) Check the height of the bed where you're staying.  The matresses are so deep I couldn't even sit on the bed (it was higher than my bum) let alone get my legs in, so ended up sleeping in my wheelchair.

9) Just because the Uber app says it has a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) it doesn't mean it does! I booked a WAV in San Diego & it said it would be with me in 20 mins - when that time was up the booking was cancelled - try again, which I did for 3 hours but was then told by a local that they don't have WAVs.

10) A UK wheelchair charger doesn't work in the USA (Different voltage?) In fact if you try like I did something blows & it won't work in the UK when you get back either.