Traveling with a loved one or two is always a great way to make special memories. You get to experience new things together, explore new cultures, learn something new, and even meet new people from all walks of life. This could be your new partner whom you met thanks to a local matchmaker’s professional dating service or your growing family that can’t wait for the next holiday trip. But if you happen to plan a travel with a loved one that has special needs, you might need to plan your trip a little more aggressively.
When it comes to traveling with someone with special needs, there are a lot of considerations you will need to consider. Of course, this will be dependent on their disability, medical condition, and preferences. To help you make your next trip more manageable, here are some valuable tips you can keep in mind.
Ask Their Primary Healthcare Provider
As much as possible, you want to make sure they get the go signal from their respective doctor or specialist. If they have a major disability or medical condition, you are better off educating yourself of their condition, needs, and requirements. This way, you know exactly what to do in case you run into some sort of emergency.
It becomes easier when your travel buddy is a close family member. If not, keep open communication with your loved one and ask if they are safe to go on a trip with you. It only makes sense that you get to keep a list of numbers you can call just in case an emergency occurs during the journey.
Plan the Trip from Start to Finish
It is not enough that you already know where you are heading, how you intend to get there, what your travel budget will be, and what activities you wish to experience with your loved one. It is crucial that you make extra effort to plan the trip. This will make it easier for you to check on their condition, make sure they stay comfortable and safe, and have easy access to everything they might need.
Make sure to map your trip, plan rest stops, and check accessibilities up to your destination. You should already know how you plan on moving around once you get to your destination. Don’t forget about the things they might need at certain times of the day.
Make Sure Their Specific Needs Are Met
There might be personal essentials your loved one can’t afford to forget while on the trip. This could be their doctor’s prescriptions, travel documents if they often forget things, and accessibility needs. Keep all these things in mind and get them ready for the trip.
For example, your travel buddy has mobility issues, which makes them wheelchair-bound. You want to make sure everything they might need is ready and with your while on the road. You also want to make sure that all of your travel destinations accommodate them and their wheelchair.
Consider Working with a Special Travel Agency
Travel agencies before are admittedly not that accommodating towards people with special needs. Thankfully, things have changed for the better. Many travel agencies now cater to people with special needs, ensuring easy and safe travel no matter your disability.
For one, some special travel agencies offer trips to different destinations by providing a professional tour escort. They will make sure your travel buddy will enjoy the trip by taking into account their special requirements. You can have a better chance of enjoying the trip yourself since a pro is already one step ahead for your loved one’s travel needs.
Be Ready to Take Control
Being ready does not necessarily mean you can already expect perfection on your next travel trip. Even travelers with no special needs can get frustrated and stressed out while traveling. So, make sure you only focus on what you can control and choose to stay resilient.
Many things can go wrong while on a trip. You and your travel buddy can get lost, your baggage can go missing, or one of you can get sick along the way. Focusing on what you can control instead of the things you got no control over will make it easier to make the trip enjoyable and memorable.
Many people with special needs would pass the chance to travel. But you can convince your loved ones to go on a trip with you if you can convince them that they will have more fun if they come. All it takes is a bit more planning and not expecting perfection. Remember to tell them that every trip can be a great learning experience for all people, even those with special needs.
