Go On That Much Needed Vacation
Feb 22 '02
The Bottom Line Vacations are far and few between when you have a special needs child. They are, however, very much needed.
A few weeks ago we decided to go on a family vacation. It had been a long time as my son's illness does not permit it very often. The vacation was wonderful and we all enjoyed ourselves, but the work involved in taking a special needs child on vacation is overwhelming.
First of all, let me tell you that we did not venture very far. We only traveled to my mother-in-laws in Texas. This was only an eight hour drive and it was familiar settings for my son should something go wrong. We were taking a trial run for a Disney trip that has been given to our family because of my son's medical condition. If this trip was any indication to how that is going to go--I am not sure that it is going to happen.
PLANNING THE TRIP
To start with, it is not like going on a normal vacation. You cannot just pack your things, get in the car, and go. We had to make several trips to the doctors office first. It had to be decided--What would be the best time to travel. We decided on an evening trip so that Brandon could sleep. The doctors had to give him something to make him rest and to keep him calm during the drive. Driving at night seemed to be the best option as this would not change his schedule in any way. Then, of course, you cannot leave home without the medical records and an explanation from the doctor as to what is wrong with your child. If you should run into problems along the way, the last thing you would want is some stranger making decisions about your child that you know will harm them.
If your child is in need of any special equipment, you must make arrangements for these to be waiting for you when you arrive. Packing these things can be time consuming and even dangerous sometimes. My son is on oxygen and although people do travel with it--it is not recommended. This was relatively easy for us. We just called our son's oxygen supplier and they made arrangements with a parent company in the area we were traveling to. When we arrived everything was waiting there for us. All we had to bring was enough to get us from our home in Colorado to our destination in Texas.
My son is also fed through a g-tube. Now taking the equipment is easy and it poses no threat to moving. We did, however, choose to have that equipment and the many cases of pediasure also delivered to our destination. This was simply a space issue. Again we just contacted the supplier and had everything waiting for us when we arrived. It saved precious space and thus allowed us to make a bed in the back of the van for Brandon to sleep on. This made him comfortable and saved much time in packing and unpacking.
I would suggest that anyone who has a lot of equipment or things that can easily be awaiting you upon your arrival do so. It makes for a much more enjoyable trip and is less hassle for you in the long run. As we did, all you need to do is contact the people who take care of these things for you at home, and they will take care of the rest for you.
THE TRIP
This was such a much needed brake for our family. For a long time we put off travel thinking it would be to much work for to little enjoyment. Were we wrong. It was like a new beginning for us. Just getting away from the walls of home, which seemed to be closing in on us, was amazing. We really though we would be trading in one set of walls for another, but that was not the case. My son seemed to thrive being away from home. I really believe that a change was good for him as well. Because we were with family, my husband and I were able to spend some much needed alone time together. We also did things with our other children that we normally would not get to do.
For along time we were reluctant to go to family, because we thought that it would be taking advantage. Lesson: Family wants to help and they want to spend time with you. They love your child as much as you do and by not going you are depriving them of a blessing.
**My suggestion to all of you who are in the same situation as my family and I. Take the trip! The extra time that it takes to prepare is well worth the time. We all came home in a much better frame of mind. Things did not seem as bad to us when we got home as when we left. The house seemed bigger and the walls quit moving in. We were all refreshed and ready to go about the business of the day, the struggles of the hour, and the challenges of life.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Debbietipton
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Debbie Tipton
Location: Colorado Springs Co
Reviews written: 240
Trusted by: 114 members
About Me:
I am a SAHM of seven children. I love every minute of it.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.