By Air, with dog and chair

This summer was the first time in a LONG time I traveled by air with Holden alone. And to be honest I was miserable on the travel days and exhausted the days following. The more physically limited my body becomes, the harder air travel without a friend or family gets. At the end of the month I'll be flying alone with Holden down to Washington, DC for a couple of doctors appointments and to attend an advocacy summit. Luckily it's a direct flight because I don't think I'd manage a connection too.

The problem is I'm less healthy now than I was this summer or even a month ago. I prefer driving, but I can't handle the drive or sitting that long anymore. I'm worried about how I will manage a dog, his food and supplies, my medical supplies, a rolling carry-on, my wheelchair and cane. To be honest, I have no idea how people do and I'm beginning to wonder if it's even possible. I'm not a historically light packer, but the less able I become the lighter I've learned to pack: )

The nature of my disability means that every day looks different. Sometimes I use a cane and/or Holden in a balance harness to get around, and others I need a wheelchair/scooter to get around. The only constant is I need wheels for any kind of distance. This means at the very least I'll need to travel with Holden's balance harness, my cane, and sometimes times wheelchair or scooter. Other nonnegotiable items are a vest or cape for Holden, all the braces I have to wear at nighttime, my cervical collar for take off and landing, and all my other various medical supplies and medications. I feel tired just looking at that list! By time I add a chew toy or two and food I'm lucky if the carry-on closes.

I have this tendency to always brings extras. Extra leash, collar, toys, vest, food, mats, supplements... basically an extra of everything. This trip I have decided the only extra I will bring is a leash. After all, Northern Virginia and DC have no shortage of pet supply stores. I will survive...lol- I'll have to. One thing I will make room for is a few grooming supplies, I can't have Holden showing up on Capitol Hill for meetings looking disheveled and shabby now, can I? I'm even considering bring only a days worth of food and picking up a small bag of his food on arrival.

Of course, just writing this post triggers packing anxiety for me about what to pack to make sure Holden is taken care of, not so much me...