Our New Normal!
“Helping Others Discover and Live an Unlimited Lifestyle.”
Welcome to our new Dankmeyer blog!! My name is Dawn Miranda, and I am a new amputee of only three years (12/2/2016). I hope this blog page will answer your questions, uplift you through education, and inspire hope that we will get to our new normal together.
Today, I would like to share with you how I have gone about:
Finding My New Normal While Traveling!
I know personally that first time travel can be a bit nerve-wracking, but let’s focus on the destination and be prepared so that you can have an enjoyable journey. Whether your first trip is to the beach, mountains or even overseas, the guidelines are the same. Start by looking up the airlines, bus lines or cruise ship lines you will be traveling to know how you can be prepared before you show up for your transportation.
Last year, I traveled to Durango, Colorado for a weeklong adaptive ski trip and then had a trip booked to Costa Rica the following month. These two destinations meant I had to prepare for completely different weather conditions in a short time.
For both trips I was traveling by airline. This being my first time traveling as a new amputee, and a solo traveler, I wanted to be prepared. I looked up my airlines and found it looked pretty simple. I requested bulkhead seating to give me maximum leg room. If you find that is not available, they are generally happy to try and seat you where you will have an aisle seat or a seat open between you and another traveler to give you just that little bit of extra room. I find with patience and kindness most are happy to accommodate you.
Since I was going to be gone for a week each time, I made an appointment with my prosthetist. He did a thorough inspection of my prosthesis to be sure there were no broken or damaged parts and my sleeves and liners were in good repair.
I made a checklist of the following items - which I knew I might need regardless of the weather and would ensure I had a comfortable trip.
1. Extra liners.
2. Extra sleeves.
3. Sock ply in case there were any limb changes due to colder/ warmer temperatures and elevations.
4. Thin sock ply to use inside the liner to wick away moisture in those humid climates.
5. 4mm T- wrench and some set screws and Loctite.
6. Sleeve with a large Velcro strap to slide over my socket for extra reinforcement on the lift in Durango at the ski resort, or on a zip line in Costa Rica. (This was so my leg didn’t somehow fall off and hit someone below!)
7. I kept all my liquids in the 3 ounce or less travel bottles. (If you use lubricant or alcohol to put your liners on you might need this.)
8. Roll of electrical tape (you never know if you need to seal a hole in a sleeve).
9. Plastic bag to help slip my boot on. (Place a plastic bag around foot shell and slide into winter boot as well as great to keep sand out of your components when at the beach.)
10. Chargers if you have any microprocessor components. (European plug adapters if traveling overseas.)
My personal experience with TSA was a pleasant one. I arrived two hours early before my flight so I felt no rush to get through the security point. I let them know when I approached I was an amputee. They used a wand to scan my leg, they did a brief pat-down of the leg and socket, as well as a swab of the socket (testing for drugs or explosives, standard for all passengers). I had my bag that contained all my prosthetic equipment labeled as “medical bag” and there was no charge for that bag. TSA even offered wheelchair assistance to me if I felt I would need it on the receiving end of my flight. Wheelchair service can also be arranged when making your reservation at the start or your destination. They are happy to have this waiting and assist you to your gate if you feel you may need assistance, as sometimes it’s a long walk to or between terminal gates.
The Transportation Security Administration and the Amputee Coalition both have resources to help amputees make their dream vacations as smooth as possible. There are great traveling tips on those websites, and you can search for other travel tips to give you other ideas and tips on how to make your first journey as a new amputee a pleasant one.
So Happy and Safe travels and be sure to relax, rest and take a lot of pictures!! You have earned it! Let me know how you do discovering your new travel normal. Happy Travels! Bon voyage!! Live your life unlimited!!
These tips are informed suggestions. If you do not feel comfortable with them, please do not attempt them. Instead as always contact your medical professional or your prosthetist for help and advice.
That’s me in the middle at Durango! All I needed was a unicorn hat and a pink tutu for fun on the slopes!
If you have a question for me about living as an amputee, ask! And if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you, and I will leave no stone unturned to help you find your own personal new normal. If there is a topic you would like me to feature please let me know! I want us all to grow strong together. Email me at Dawn@dankmeyer.com. This email is not secure, so if you wish to keep any specific health information private, you should call us!
Quote for the Month: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” -Author unknown.
Dawn Miranda recently joined Dankmeyer, Inc. as a Prosthetist Assistant after relocating from San Antonio, TX. To read more about Dawn on our Clinical Staff page, click here.