Traveling with Health Issues and/or Disabilities: Rolling with the Punches (and the Wheelchairs)
Traveling with disabilities or when you’re chronically ill can be tough. It can also be magical, hilarious, unpredictable, inconvenient, empowering, exhausting—and worth every second of the chaos.
Just ask Bonnie.
Bonnie, who deals with seizures, complex and hemiplegic migraines, spent our last cruise rolling through ports in a wheelchair. Not a sleek racing model, mind you. A foldable, sand-loathing clunker that dared us to push it across beach dunes like we were auditioning for Survivor: Family Edition. Spoiler: sand always wins.
A Quick Backstory (That Might Make You Cry and Laugh at the Same Time)
Bonnie doesn’t just travel with luggage—she travels with seizures, complex migraines, and the granddaddy of them all: hemiplegic migraines. Typically, those cause weakness on one side of the body. But because Bonnie never does anything halfway, her version says, “Let’s go big or go home!” and knocks out her entire body. Full paralysis. No shortcuts. No refunds.
Right before our last cruise, we were regulars at the hospital, like we had a punch card for the ER. Bonnie was in the middle of what the doctors called a “cluster”—and what we called “a full-blown neurological circus.” She was having 10 to 20 seizures a day. Not little, blink-and-you-miss-it episodes either. We’re talking “clear your schedule” seizures.
After enough hospital visits to memorize the vending machine layout, the doctors prescribed a medication that miraculously calmed things down. It didn’t stop the seizures completely, but it reduced them enough to let her function… kind of. The catch? It wasn’t a long-term fix. But she didn’t need it to be long term, so it was all good.
Meanwhile, her body was being battered on repeat. Constant seizures are not, shockingly, good for one’s energy levels. Bonnie was left utterly drained for months. Zombie-level fatigue. I’m talking low-battery-mode, full system reboot required kind of weak.
And this wasn’t new for us. Her health saga began six years ago like a medical mystery novel no one asked to star in. One day, she’s fine. The next? Boom—hospital stay. Two weeks of testing, monitoring, and then… a discharge with no real answers. The medical equivalent of “¯\(ツ)/¯.”
Over the next several months, Bonnie’s life shrunk to about 250 steps a day—yes, we counted. Anything more, and she risked what we started calling an “episode.” Sounds cute, right? Like something that happens on a sitcom? Not so much. Imagine your whole body turning into a limp noodle—fully conscious, but unable to open your eyes, lift your arms, or wiggle a toe. Cooked spaghetti. That’s Bonnie. Spaghetti with a brain.
The episodes varied in length. Sometimes they were quick—15 minutes and done. Other times, they dragged on for hours. The record? Sixteen. Whole. Hours. Of lying there, awake and frozen in her own body. Turns out, they were triggered by seizures, but we didn’t learn that piece until later. Because, again, why have clarity when you can have suspense?
As if the paralysis wasn’t enough, Bonnie was also hit with brutal migraines that made her allergic to light. We blacked out all the windows in our house for months like we were harboring a vampire. She was also nauseous, dizzy, and had vertigo so bad she couldn’t even lie in bed without the world spinning. It was like living inside a kaleidoscope… with motion sickness.
Needless to say, travel plans were benched for a while. Over a year passed before we attempted a trip. In the meantime, life kind of… paused. She couldn’t go to church, couldn’t attend her kids’ piano recitals or dance performances—unless I was prepared to do a full fireman carry. Which I was. And did. Multiple times.
There were many moments where we debated: is it worth it? Should she stay home and skip the embarrassment of being carried out mid-event like a swooning Victorian heroine? But eventually, we came to a powerful conclusion: presence matters more than perfection.
So yes, she’s been carried out of a dance recital. She’s left piano recitals in a wheelchair while the rest of the audience clapped politely, pretending not to stare. But she was there. And sometimes, just being there is the bravest thing you can do.
Miami Mayhem and the Magical Skinny Wheelchair
One of our most memorable travel hiccups happened in the Miami airport during our two boys’ senior trip. I left Bonnie with the kids while I hunted down some overpriced airport water. I came back to find her mid-episode, splayed out like a limp mannequin on the waiting area chairs. And the boys? Completely zoned out. Thanks, teens.
I explained the situation to the gate agent, expecting pushback. Instead, they wheeled out the world’s skinniest aisle chair, strapped her in, and helped us board early. I lifted her into her seat like a pro. By the time we landed in Vegas, Bonnie was walking again (slowly, carefully), but still needed a wheelchair to exit the terminal. The episodes zap every bit of strength.
Back then, we didn’t know it was seizure-related. Now we do—and we travel smarter. Here’s how you can too.
Smart Travel Tips for Chronic Illness and Disabilities
🧳 1. Bring All the Meds (Yes, ALL)
This seems obvious… until you forget the seizure meds in your checked luggage. Don’t be that person.
- Keep everything in the original prescription bottles—especially for international travel.
- Carry meds in your carry-on, not your checked bag.
- Double-check local laws. THC (even medically prescribed) is banned in many countries, and some everyday meds can get you in trouble abroad.
🛑 Pro Tip: Avoid those cute weekly pill organizers unless you’re also bringing the labeled bottles. Customs agents have zero interest in your color-coded system.
✍️ 2. Get a Doctor’s Note (Yes, Like You’re in Middle School Again)
A quick letter explaining your condition, medications, and equipment can go a long way—especially if:
- You have mobility aids or medical equipment
- You need to pre-board
- You may appear “impaired” due to an episode or seizure
🦽 3. Use the Wheelchair Perks (They’re Real)
Needing a wheelchair isn’t ideal, but it does come with a few silver linings:
- Pre-boarding on flights and cruises
- Skip-the-line access at major attractions
- Personal assistance through security
- Priority seating at shows and events
Honestly? It’s like VIP access with a medical reason. Take the help. Your body will thank you.
📞 4. Call Ahead Like a Pro Planner
Hotels, airlines, and cruise lines are generally great with accommodations—but only if they know what you need.
Ask about:
- Wheelchair-accessible rooms
- Step-free access
- Roll-in showers or shower chairs
- Excursion accessibility
- Medical support on-site or on-board
👀 Heads up: Cruise lines often have designated accessible cabins, and they book up fast. Snag yours early!
🧰 5. Pack a Medical Emergency Kit
Stuff this in your carry-on. Do not pass go. Do not gate-check.
Your kit should include:
- Medications
- Copies of prescriptions
- Health insurance cards
- Emergency contacts
- Medical alert bracelet or info card
- Noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask (migraines are jerks)
- Snacks and hydration options
- Anything else your condition requires (like a seizure plan or oxygen)
🛑 6. Embrace the Power of Saying “No”
Overplanning is the enemy of chronic illness. If your itinerary is tighter than a carry-on bag zipper, loosen it up.
- Build in rest days
- Schedule fewer activities per day
- Plan “what if” alternatives: i.e., “If we skip the tour, we’ll do a slow breakfast and play cards at the hotel”
Bonnie sometimes can’t even get out of bed one day—but the next, she’s at a cenote, making us nervous by getting too close to the edge. Travel is unpredictable. That’s okay.
🧳 7. Rent a Mobility Aid (Even If You Don’t Always Need One)
Some people only need mobility help when fatigue hits. That’s where rentals come in handy.
- Scooters, manual wheelchairs, even portable walkers can be rented in most tourist areas
- Cruises often have third-party companies that deliver mobility devices right to your stateroom
🎯 Key Benefit: Your energy lasts longer. That means more exploring, more memory-making, and less collapsing into bed by 3 p.m.
❤️ 8. Lose the Shame, Keep the Joy
Yes, you might need help getting off the beach. Or through the airport. Or up the gangway. But you’re out there doing it.
You’re showing up for life. That’s what matters.
Bonnie has had to be carried out of recitals, wheeled through museums, and propped up for vacation photos. But she was there. And those moments? They mean everything.
Final Thoughts: Travel Anyway
We used to wait for Bonnie to feel better before planning anything. Now we know better: life doesn’t wait. So neither do we.
Traveling with a health condition or disability isn’t always pretty—but it can still be beautiful.
You might not do everything. You might have to slow down. You might have to get creative. But the memories you make along the way? They’re absolutely worth it.
As a side note, and something deeply personal to those who struggle: disabilities don’t always look the same. Some people might appear completely “normal” on the outside, while others may seem fine one moment and then have their brain shut them down the next. If we’ve learned anything through these experiences, it’s that appearances can be deceiving — and that we need to offer people grace and assistance whenever we can. All of us would give anything to go back to our normal, healthy lives, but we are profoundly grateful for the compassion and understanding we’ve gained along the way.
✈️ Want More?
Here is a free printable checklist for traveling with health conditions, or drop your email below to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Got your own tips for traveling with a disability or chronic illness? We’d love to hear them! Share your story in the comments.
Also check out Cory form CurbFree here, he is an inspiration.
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