Fun in the Sun? What About Me?
Hidden disabilities can make traveling a problem or even impossible, depending on the severity of the condition.
Hidden disabilities, for those of you new to this term, are things that limit the movement, breathing, balance or other aspects that are not easy to see.
An individual in a wheel chair, with braces, or on oxygen are easy to identify and empathize with.
A person with a hidden disability may "look" fine until they are at the point of a significant problem.
My own experiences with a hidden disability, myasthenia gravis, have been a roller coaster of good and bad.
I am blessed enough to be in a strong and stable phase, and have found that with constant monitoring, maintenance, and careful planning I can participate in lots of travel experiences.
Cruising is a particularly good way for me to travel as the stresses of driving, packing multiple times, finding food, and finding accommodations are all taken care of.
In addition, a rest or a nap is only an elevator ride away.
I have compiled a list of things that I do in preparation for a cruise, with the hope that these items will help you in your own cruise experience.
Hints for cruising with a hidden disability: -Check with your medical specialist before booking your cruise.
Ask questions you may have and get her recommendations on your itinerary.
-Make sure to purchase travel insurance.
Be sure to include "pre-existing" coverage in your travel protection purchase.
-Let your travel professional know about your condition.
She will then convey this information to the cruise line so they can be prepared for your visit.
-Carry more than adequate medication for your condition.
Place your meds in your carry-on luggage or purse.
Airlines lose bags and your bags may be delayed in being brought to your room once onboard your ship.
-Write down your medication schedule, complete with dosage, and place in your purse.
Make sure a traveling companion knows where it is and what to do in an emergency.
-If you have an unusual condition, attach an informational brochure or printout from the Internet.
Myasthenia gravis, for example, is relatively rare and some ER physicians I have encountered have never seen a case.
Your physician onboard may be of a different nationality and unusual disease names may create even more of a barrier.
Having the condition name in writing will help with this.
Again, make sure your cabin mate has access to this information.
-Check in with the ship's medical personnel, introduce yourself, and make them aware of your condition.
Also knowing where the infirmary is may help ease your anxiety.
-Make a list of exacerbating factors for your condition.
For me, the worst things are stress and heat.
I plan a shore excursion for the early morning; come back to my ship for lunch and a rest; then go back out in the evening if the ship's schedule permits.
In my case, a 2:00 pm excursion in the Caribbean is not something I can handle, but there are plenty of choices for the morning when it is cooler and I have more energy.
-Make use of the shore excursion list's activity rating schedule.
Length and description of the excursion will be helpful in determining if that excursion is for you.
Don't assume that an excursion is "no fun" because it has a low activity level.
One of the most entertaining and memorable excursions I have ever taken was to a turtle farm.
While the pace was sedate and the transportation an air conditioned bus, the activity level was low and therefore appropriate for me traveling alone.
-Remember to keep your eating, sleeping, resting, exercise, and medication schedules intact.
I often get so excited by the fun I am having that I skip meals, skip medication times, and overdo it.
Then I pay for it the next day by being too tired to participate.
Remember less can be more! Remember that with the right planning and preparation and the OK of your doctor, you too can cruise! Bon voyage!
Hidden disabilities, for those of you new to this term, are things that limit the movement, breathing, balance or other aspects that are not easy to see.
An individual in a wheel chair, with braces, or on oxygen are easy to identify and empathize with.
A person with a hidden disability may "look" fine until they are at the point of a significant problem.
My own experiences with a hidden disability, myasthenia gravis, have been a roller coaster of good and bad.
I am blessed enough to be in a strong and stable phase, and have found that with constant monitoring, maintenance, and careful planning I can participate in lots of travel experiences.
Cruising is a particularly good way for me to travel as the stresses of driving, packing multiple times, finding food, and finding accommodations are all taken care of.
In addition, a rest or a nap is only an elevator ride away.
I have compiled a list of things that I do in preparation for a cruise, with the hope that these items will help you in your own cruise experience.
Hints for cruising with a hidden disability: -Check with your medical specialist before booking your cruise.
Ask questions you may have and get her recommendations on your itinerary.
-Make sure to purchase travel insurance.
Be sure to include "pre-existing" coverage in your travel protection purchase.
-Let your travel professional know about your condition.
She will then convey this information to the cruise line so they can be prepared for your visit.
-Carry more than adequate medication for your condition.
Place your meds in your carry-on luggage or purse.
Airlines lose bags and your bags may be delayed in being brought to your room once onboard your ship.
-Write down your medication schedule, complete with dosage, and place in your purse.
Make sure a traveling companion knows where it is and what to do in an emergency.
-If you have an unusual condition, attach an informational brochure or printout from the Internet.
Myasthenia gravis, for example, is relatively rare and some ER physicians I have encountered have never seen a case.
Your physician onboard may be of a different nationality and unusual disease names may create even more of a barrier.
Having the condition name in writing will help with this.
Again, make sure your cabin mate has access to this information.
-Check in with the ship's medical personnel, introduce yourself, and make them aware of your condition.
Also knowing where the infirmary is may help ease your anxiety.
-Make a list of exacerbating factors for your condition.
For me, the worst things are stress and heat.
I plan a shore excursion for the early morning; come back to my ship for lunch and a rest; then go back out in the evening if the ship's schedule permits.
In my case, a 2:00 pm excursion in the Caribbean is not something I can handle, but there are plenty of choices for the morning when it is cooler and I have more energy.
-Make use of the shore excursion list's activity rating schedule.
Length and description of the excursion will be helpful in determining if that excursion is for you.
Don't assume that an excursion is "no fun" because it has a low activity level.
One of the most entertaining and memorable excursions I have ever taken was to a turtle farm.
While the pace was sedate and the transportation an air conditioned bus, the activity level was low and therefore appropriate for me traveling alone.
-Remember to keep your eating, sleeping, resting, exercise, and medication schedules intact.
I often get so excited by the fun I am having that I skip meals, skip medication times, and overdo it.
Then I pay for it the next day by being too tired to participate.
Remember less can be more! Remember that with the right planning and preparation and the OK of your doctor, you too can cruise! Bon voyage!
