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broken_buglers6 karma

I don't know if you mean travelling with her or what, but traveling can be extremely hard for quads. My brother has been a quad for over 20 years and I was his caregiver for many years. He hardly ever travels. There is a long list of reasons, but the main one is that flying is just horribly inconvenient and he gets serious AD (autonomic dysreflexia) from the airplane seats. Driving is no more convenient or conducive to quelling the AD. One of the easiest on his body, his stress -- and the stress the situation will inevitably put on others -- is taking cruises. They're usually very accommodating and he always has a room set-up for the duration of the trip. As opposed to having to make due at every hotel you get to, you have your mattress, catheters, sliding board and whatever else you need all in one spot and ready to go.

I'm not trying to bum you out further, but these are things you will have to consider when planning to travel. Every quad's situation varies, and you'll have to take these things into account, but you will have to learn a lot as you go as well.

Also, I would recommend travelling as much as possible as soon as you can. The older he got the worse it would be for him.

I wish you guys the best, it will be hard and definitely stressful on you, but that's life, right?

So, after all of that I have no question... well that last thing was technically a question, but a rhetorical one.

Oh, I have one: What kind of mobility does she have? My brother can use his arms but has no muscle growth or movement with his fingers. Also, if she has movement, are you guys gonna get a converted van that she is able to drive? My brother got a new one a few years ago that is pretty badass. The ability to drive definitely helps alleviate some the "trapped" feeling.

broken_buglers2 karma

That's great! The AD can be really bad for certain people.

I didn't realize this happened so long ago. I thought it happened to you guys rather recently and assumed you were new to the whole situation.But it seems you've transitioned well.