Transportation to Medical Appointments
If you are going to a medical appointment in another state, these are some resources that may be helpful regarding air travel. Some offer significant discounts or free travel.
ANGEL FLIGHT 978-794-6868
www.angelflightne.org
OPERATION LIFT OFF – Need 7 to 10 days notice – (888) 354-5757
http://www.operationliftoff.com/
MIRACLE FLIGHT FOR KIDS – Need 15 days notice – (800) 359-1711
www.miracleflights.org/
NATIONAL PATIENT TRAVEL – (800) 296-1217
http://www.patienttravel.org/
AMR AIR AMBULANCE – (800) 424-7060
https://www.amrairambulance.com/
NATIONAL TICKET HELP – (800) 325-8908
Also, for lodging, Ronald McDonald House has houses in many cities that can be used for children up to ages 18-21. www.rmhc.com
Traveling by Air
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) protects passengers with disabilities from discrimination and requires airlines to provide certain accommodations for all flights to, from or within the United States. This assistance includes, but is not limited to:
- Wheelchair assistance
- Guided assistance to board the airplane, deplane, or to connect
to another flight - Seating accommodations
- Assistance with loading and storing assistive devices
The US Department of Transportation provides several resources to assist in your travel planning:
- Wheelchairs and Other Assistive Devices
- Assistance Moving Throughout the Airport
- Seating Accommodations
- Service Animals (includes emotional support animals)
Traveling by Cruise
“Taking a Cruise would be my dream vacation, but my children and I have Mito”
Some families find cruises a nice alternative to vacations on land. In general, the ships themselves are accessible and there are wheelchairs on board if you want to borrow one. Most ships also have disabled rooms. Many shore excursions are easy for the disabled to do and there is plenty of time
to rest onboard the ship. There is always a medical staff on board the ship if needed also.
Be sure to call the cruise line ahead of time to find out their accessibility to travelers with disabilities. Also, be sure they know of your medical conditions and whether they will need any sort of treatment while on the ship.
- If you need a refrigerator for medications, be sure the stateroom has that available.
- If you require medical supplies to be shipped, make sure you have a contact person and an exact location of where they will need to be shipped to.
- Ask that the supplies be shipped to arrive at the port the day of the cruise and be sure that your supplies are onboard the ship before it leaves the port.
- Before the ship leaves the port, you may also want to count the medical supplies or go down the inventory list to be sure that everything is accounted for.
There are many cruise companies that offer facilities for those with special needs, but the following are considered among the best.
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruise Line
- Disney Cruise Line
- Special Needs at Sea – Dedicated to fulfilling the special needs requirements for persons who want to travel but may need mobility aides, oxygen or other equipment. We make travel easy, comfortable and accessible.