Planning with a Special Needs Mom

Annette Miller4.23.20Traveling with someone living with special needs requires an additional layer of planning. Just the thought of it is enough to raise my blood pressure sometimes. However, I am a woman of action. After a deep breath and a cup of coffee, I dive in and create a plan. While every person living with special needs is different, I hope these steps will help you feel more confident in planning a vacation that everyone can enjoy. Plan togetherWhile surprise trips are fun, some people living with special needs need extra time to prepare themselves and process it all. They may need the security of knowing that they can get around the location. They may feel a sense of peace knowing what they will experience. Be sure to build in some down time so that nobody becomes overwhelmed or exhausted. Location is everythingSome destinations are better for special needs (or specific special needs) than others. Depending on your family’s needs, you may need to find a room/hotel that is in a quieter section or find one that provides wheelchair accessible transportation to area attractions. Contingency planningThis tip is a little more fluid than others because it will be very personalized. You may need to know the location of the closest hospital. You may need to prepare a bag of comfort items that your special travel partner can carry with them. You may need to look at menus in advance or call to speak with a chef to be sure that appropriate items are available for meals. You may need to research whether there are any restrictions on your prescription medications in a foreign country. Flexibility is keyGo into your vacation as prepared as possible but know that things may not go exactly as planned. The most important thing is that you get to spend quality time together. The location or events surrounding that quality time are just the icing on the cake. Insure your vacation investmentThis is not a sales pitch and I am not an insurance agent. However, I know that there are circumstances that we may not be able to predict or may arise to derail your travel plans. Travel protection policies vary, and some have limits about when they cover pre-existing conditions (when purchased within a certain number of days after booking your trip, for example). Make sure that you find one that is appropriate for your family. The peace of mind is worth the cost of the policy.As the adoptive mom of three children living with special needs (all cognitive challenges), I truly have a passion for helping other families build vacations that are appropriate for every member of the family. Over the next few months, I will be sharing additional blog posts that elaborate on these tips, but I am happy to help you figure out a plan that will work best for your family. If I can help you create some cherished lifelong memories, please reach out. You can find me at either annette@wishesfamilytravel.com or 734-262-5307. I would be honored to help!