Note to new readers: This post is part of my 30 Days of Writing Practice. I am allowing blocks of 10, 20 or 30 minutes of my day solely to putting my swirling thoughts on paper. No going back to edit which will only serve to stop the stream of consciousness. My writing buddy Kat and I, we call it writing from the heart. Please read my introduction for the full story.
Travelling with a child with disability is never easy. Especially if the child has mobility issues. Fortunately for us, Kuya Migo (14 year old with autism) is able bodied. His problems are sensory in nature. Crowded places and sudden high pitched sounds. The latter includes hand dryers, vacuum cleaners, blenders, even the gusty wind (on board a ferry boat for example). Back in 2009 when Migo was 10 years we braved an overseas trip to California. Arriving in Los Angeles, we rented a car and drove to Anaheim, then to Monterey, then all the way to San Francisco in 17 packed days. Read about our family adventure here. I blogged everyday then. Migo behaved beautifully, with no complaints at all. In 2010, we went on a 13-day cruise to the Pacific Islands. Although it was rough seas crossing the Pacific Ocean, I was more seasick than Migo. I wrote about it here.
We did not go anywhere for the next two years. It was then that Migo started displaying agitation when we talk about holidaying anywhere that involved an airplane. It could only be caused by TV shows, movies and video games showing airplane crashes in some form or another. He would literally shake with fear when we send-off or pick-up grandma at the airport on numerous occasions.
We wanted to travel to the Philippines in December 2012. We haven’t been back since 2006. So we decided to push Miguel and test him in a domestic trip. The flight to Melbourne was not cheap, but we were ready to test the waters and risk wasting money. Plan B was to drive all the way to Melbourne if we do not get to board the airplane. Kiss $500 goodbye, so to speak.
Leading up to the day, Migo would always say “No” when the trip was discussed. On the day of the trip however when I asked him to go change, Miguel calmly acquiesced. I gave him 30 mls of Phenergen, a safe sedative that his doctor advised. This made Miguel drowsy during the car ride to the airport. In the check in queue however, he was very alert like a meerkat. He must have been very anxious.
At the departure lounge, Migo’s litany was: “We’re going to take a taxi to the hotel”. For one hour, this was Miguel’s “prayer” to calm himself. He was self-soothing, assuring himself of what will happen at the end of the flight. That he will be in a taxi very soon. Straight to the hotel. During the trip, he did not let go of my hand. Regardless that we were seated apart, with an aisle between us. For one hour and a half. Letting my hand go and seeking my hand again when someone walks by along the aisle. My arms ached big time. But Migo was fine. And that is all that matters.
Our conversation at the departure lounge on the way back to Sydney.
Mum: “We’re flying back to Sydney.”
Migo: “Oh yes.”
Mum: “So, we can now fly to Japan next year.”
Migo: “No, mama. We’re going to Sydney!”
Migo’s bubble thought: One flight at a time please, mum. Stop confusing me!
The December 2012 Philippine trip included 8 flights. Well done Kuya Migo!
1 Sydney – Singapore
2 Singapore – Manila
3 Manila – Tagbilaran
(Ferry from Tagbilaran to Cebu)
4 Cebu – Boracay
5 Boracay – Cebu
6 Cebu – Clark
7 Manila-Singapore
8 Singapore-Sydney
Thanks for keeping me company. See you tomorrow.
Always from the heart,
ChaR-g
PS: Say HI to my sunshine, Lorenzo Miguel >> Thinking In Pictures
norbertov says
Brave is what comes into mind. Good for you and the family. Good planning and preparation. Very sweet naman yung holding hands nyo 🙂