Disabled And Want To Travel Back To The Uk

[nattydread]

unfortunately had a motorcycle accident whilst here and have been recovering at my condo after a stay in hospital but my medical insurance has now expired...........i have a broken tibia in my left leg and a paralysed right foot at present and need to go back to the UK to get myself sorted......i can walk short distances with a walking frame or crutches but would need a wheelchair in the airports (not my own)........i am worried about which airline to choose and how to go about arranging help in BKK and Dubai for the change over flight to Manchester also how to arrange help to board the flights and get a seat with extra legroom......I fortunately have a daughter whose meeting me at Manchester but need some advice please..thanks

[toffo9]

ok im your saviour lol... Im paralysed from waist down after a bike accident and permantly in a sports chair... I live in thailand and have flown allover the world.. Firstly dont worry you can get help... get intouch with the airline and tell them u need help before u fly with them and that you need assistance in the airport... You will get put on the aircraft first before the passengers and be the last one off the aircraft when it lands.. personnel from the airport will push u to the aircrafts door then u can either walk to ur seat or b transferred to the aircraft chair, strapped in and pushed to ur seat on the plane.. Extra legroom i reckon you wont get as sitting near the doors ur classed as a fire hazard.. Remember its important to tell them ur situation before you get to the airport and then when u reach the airport just go to the airline when u arrive and they will take ur name and then help you on the plane... Best wishes david

[toffo9]

Forgot to say i flew with emirates from newcastle to Thailand.. dont know whether they fly to manchester u will have to look

[WilliaminBKK]

No need to worry, as the other post said make sure you call the airline and advise them you need a WHCR. They will update your PNR. You will be boarded first, and will be the last off in your connecting city. Staff will escort you all the way.

Call reservations the day before to confirm the request is noted.

Safe trip.

[KimoMax]

Either contact any Airline directly when booking or thru your Travel Agent.

Request assistance and need a wheelchair before, after flights and layovers.

You will have to take care of your own personal hygeine and any other personal needs during the flight and connections.

They will assist you to the W/C and back to your seat, but NOT help you once inside a W/C. If you need personal assistance, you must or should travel with a caregiver or personal assistant.

Airlines transport disabled persons on almost every flight, so it is not unusual to them.

If you don't think you can walk to your seat with a cane (think about this before hand) ask the Airline to provide a isle wheel chair to get you to your seat.

You won't get any aditional leg room because you are disabled, unless you pay for business class or other upgrades for more legroom

Edited June 13, 2011 by KimoMax

[WilliaminBKK]

I just saw this youtube video, nice to see they are taking care of passengers in need. They do fly BKK-LHR non stop.

[lomatopo]

I would also get a letter from your local doctor stating, in English, that it is OK for you to fly. Some airlines are very picky about transporting passengers(, or IDBing them), who might not be well enough to fly, and who might be the cause of a diversion. This judgement call is entirely up to the airline. Having the letter in hand at check-in is cheap, easy insurance that you would not be denied boarding.

Many of the seats with extra leg-room are exit-row seats and usually anyone who is at all physically impaired is not allowed to be seated there. You might get a courtesy upgrade but I wouldn't count on that, and if you can't make the flight(s) in your ticketed cabin I would hold off on the journey until you are a bit more able to travel.

Edited June 13, 2011 by lomatopo

[toffo9]

I would also get a letter from your local doctor stating, in English, that it is OK for you to fly. Some airlines are very picky about transporting passengers(, or IDBing them), who might not be well enough to fly, and who might be the cause of a diversion. This judgement call is entirely up to the airline. Having the letter in hand at check-in is cheap, easy insurance that you would not be denied boarding.

Many of the seats with extra leg-room are exit-row seats and usually anyone who is at all physically impaired is not allowed to be seated there. You might get a courtesy upgrade but I wouldn't count on that, and if you can't make the flight(s) in your ticketed cabin I would hold off on the journey until you are a bit more able to travel.

never had to take a letter to any airline and ive flew 100s of times.. dont worry bout letter

[lomatopo]

FWIW, I have read first-hand reports of people being IDBed (Involuntarily Denied Boarding) in cases similar to the OPs. It is very rare, but based on my read of the OPs current condition I' recommend the letter unless it is overly challenging to get. (It shouldn't be.)

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Flying-with-Medical-Conditions.htm

excerpt:

Some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly. Most have medical advisors who provide advice and 'clear' passengers as fit to fly.1 They may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF). The British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors 'to word statements on a person's fitness to fly carefully, indicating the information on which the advice is based, rather than positively certifying a person's fitness'. For example:

'I know of no obvious reason why this person should not fly'; OR

'There is nothing in the medical record to indicate that flying is risky for this patient'.

This ensures that the doctor is not guaranteeing in any way that this patient can travel without any problem but rather saying that, on the available evidence, there is nothing to indicate a greater risk for this person than for others. However, the doctor is partly dependent on what the patient chooses to disclose to them about past health problems.

YMMV.

[harrry]

FWIW, I have read first-hand reports of people being IDBed (Involuntarily Denied Boarding) in cases similar to the OPs. It is very rare, but based on my read of the OPs current condition I' recommend the letter unless it is overly challenging to get. (It shouldn't be.)

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Flying-with-Medical-Conditions.htm

excerpt:

Some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly. Most have medical advisors who provide advice and 'clear' passengers as fit to fly.1 They may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF). The British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors 'to word statements on a person's fitness to fly carefully, indicating the information on which the advice is based, rather than positively certifying a person's fitness'. For example:

'I know of no obvious reason why this person should not fly'; OR

'There is nothing in the medical record to indicate that flying is risky for this patient'.

This ensures that the doctor is not guaranteeing in any way that this patient can travel without any problem but rather saying that, on the available evidence, there is nothing to indicate a greater risk for this person than for others. However, the doctor is partly dependent on what the patient chooses to disclose to them about past health problems.

YMMV.

In thailand it is almost always required. It must be on the official airline form and MUST have the hospital stamp... a signature is not enough.

[toffo9]

FWIW, I have read first-hand reports of people being IDBed (Involuntarily Denied Boarding) in cases similar to the OPs. It is very rare, but based on my read of the OPs current condition I' recommend the letter unless it is overly challenging to get. (It shouldn't be.)

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Flying-with-Medical-Conditions.htm

excerpt:

Some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly. Most have medical advisors who provide advice and 'clear' passengers as fit to fly.1 They may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF). The British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors 'to word statements on a person's fitness to fly carefully, indicating the information on which the advice is based, rather than positively certifying a person's fitness'. For example:

'I know of no obvious reason why this person should not fly'; OR

'There is nothing in the medical record to indicate that flying is risky for this patient'.

This ensures that the doctor is not guaranteeing in any way that this patient can travel without any problem but rather saying that, on the available evidence, there is nothing to indicate a greater risk for this person than for others. However, the doctor is partly dependent on what the patient chooses to disclose to them about past health problems.

YMMV.

dont be silly thats like saying just because im paralysed from the waist down then im different to other people.. I broke my back thats all im just as fit as you or anyother able bodied person.. So if someone has had bi pass surgery thats means that they are more unhealthy than myself.. Just because you are in a wheelchair doesnt mean your more unhealthy than a person that walks.. You dont need a letter for travelling u need a letter if your transporting medicine .. stop living in the stone age and open your eyes its 2011 not 1950s.. No disrespect but unless your in a wheelchair for 20 years and flew many many times then i dont know where you get this letter needed thing..

[toffo9]

FWIW, I have read first-hand reports of people being IDBed (Involuntarily Denied Boarding) in cases similar to the OPs. It is very rare, but based on my read of the OPs current condition I' recommend the letter unless it is overly challenging to get. (It shouldn't be.)

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Flying-with-Medical-Conditions.htm

excerpt:

Some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly. Most have medical advisors who provide advice and 'clear' passengers as fit to fly.1 They may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF). The British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors 'to word statements on a person's fitness to fly carefully, indicating the information on which the advice is based, rather than positively certifying a person's fitness'. For example:

'I know of no obvious reason why this person should not fly'; OR

'There is nothing in the medical record to indicate that flying is risky for this patient'.

This ensures that the doctor is not guaranteeing in any way that this patient can travel without any problem but rather saying that, on the available evidence, there is nothing to indicate a greater risk for this person than for others. However, the doctor is partly dependent on what the patient chooses to disclose to them about past health problems.

YMMV.

In thailand it is almost always required. It must be on the official airline form and MUST have the hospital stamp... a signature is not enough.

more rubbish.. flew air asia and thai airways and never been asked once for a letter.. The OP has a broken tibia not a serious heart condition... End of rant :jap:

[moe666]

For more leg room check out EVA airlines they have economy delux seating a bit more leg and seat room other airlines may have this as well.

[harrry]

FWIW, I have read first-hand reports of people being IDBed (Involuntarily Denied Boarding) in cases similar to the OPs. It is very rare, but based on my read of the OPs current condition I' recommend the letter unless it is overly challenging to get. (It shouldn't be.)

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Flying-with-Medical-Conditions.htm

excerpt:

Some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly. Most have medical advisors who provide advice and 'clear' passengers as fit to fly.1 They may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF). The British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors 'to word statements on a person's fitness to fly carefully, indicating the information on which the advice is based, rather than positively certifying a person's fitness'. For example:

'I know of no obvious reason why this person should not fly'; OR

'There is nothing in the medical record to indicate that flying is risky for this patient'.

This ensures that the doctor is not guaranteeing in any way that this patient can travel without any problem but rather saying that, on the available evidence, there is nothing to indicate a greater risk for this person than for others. However, the doctor is partly dependent on what the patient chooses to disclose to them about past health problems.

YMMV.

dont be silly thats like saying just because im paralysed from the waist down then im different to other people.. I broke my back thats all im just as fit as you or anyother able bodied person.. So if someone has had bi pass surgery thats means that they are more unhealthy than myself.. Just because you are in a wheelchair doesnt mean your more unhealthy than a person that walks.. You dont need a letter for travelling u need a letter if your transporting medicine .. stop living in the stone age and open your eyes its 2011 not 1950s.. No disrespect but unless your in a wheelchair for 20 years and flew many many times then i dont know where you get this letter needed thing..

I am in a wheelchair.

THey do not apply the same rules here as they they do in the EU or The US. Or rather same rules different application.

[harrry]

Another thing...if you have a cast it must be split before the flight.

[nonthaburial]

Another thing...if you have a cast it must be split before the flight.

Actually this post is worth noting, I dont know of the legalities of splitting the cast, but, a number of years ago I broke my ankle in 5 places and the cast was up to me knee. The accident happened in Singapore and I had to fly back to HK. I was a gold card holder with Cathay, they kindly upgraded me to business class. The cabin crew warned me that during the flight, my ankle and leg would swell due to the altitude etc etc. Boy were they right it was agonising, so much so that the Captain authorised the cabin crew to break into the emergency medical box to give me medication that knocked me out.Never ever again would I fly with a solid cast.

[KimoMax]

The OP should check with their Doctor before traveling to see if a bi-valved cast is appropriate for the Air Travel and also obtain a letter of fit to fly since wearing a temporary cast for post trauma.

The airline, or Captain of the Aircrafts can ask for a Doctor's letter based on the fact this is recovering from Trauma and not stable yet. Not saying they will ask, but they can, and the OP should contact their personal doctor here to ensure their own comfort in case of swelling, or thrombosis (blood clots from travel) etc.

[vodka]

Hello

I agree whats been said, I had a similar problem 4 weeks ago. I decided to fly Eva economy delux " after all the shit, I had to treat myself"

I did need a medical note saying I needed help easy to get from most doctors, small charge and i got wheelchairs both ends of my journey and walked about the aircrart on my sticks.

Also very quick clearing immigration and customs..

cheers and good travels.........