The Plane Ride From Dereks View

I must admit that I was really nervous about getting on the plane and putting my primary chair (and only chair) underneath the plane. The airline was very accommodating and even let me watch them load my chair into the cargo box. I made sure that I stressed how important that chair was to me and that I needed it to be in one piece when I got to my destination. We did not check the power wheelchair or my manual wheelchair at the front ticket counter. We checked them at the gate and that's why I was able to watch them load my power wheelchair.

I also read on the web somewhere before we left to write a sign in the language, of the country that you're going to, just explaining to them that this chair is your legs and to please be extremely careful. This was great advice and I definitely used it. I also took the Rojo cushion off and also took the head rest off.

Loading into the plane and onto the seat went really smooth. They used an aisle chair to get me onto my seat. I tried putting the Rojo cushion down on the airplane seat so that I could sit on it but it was too long and wouldn't work (be advised that if you do use the Rojo cushion take some air out of it as it will inflate when the cabin gets pressurized). The plane ride was nine hours and I just made sure to constantly rock back and forth and my wife would stand me up periodically just to relieve some pressure from my rear. Overall, it was not a horrible experience but it obviously was not the most comfortable thing in the world.

When we arrived to Rome. They brought me my personal mechanical wheelchair and when it came to me they broke the pad off of the armrest. This was not a huge deal but I was just hoping that my primary chair made the trip! Once we exited the plane we waited in the loading area for my power chair. It made it!! When I saw the chair coming up the terminal, I felt relieved and now I was ready to conquer Rome!

Transportation in Rome, Italy

Transportation in Rome is not that good and accessibility is worse, but don't let that discourage you! Where there is a will there is a way! We had to board a cruise in Civitavecchia, Italy which is about 45 from the airport in Rome. We decided to travel one day early that way we were not in a rush to get to the ship. We lined up transportation from the airport to Civitavecchia and booked a wheelchair accessible (not really) hotel there. There was a tub (no shower) and the main bed was upstairs. Yes!, the room had 2 floors with stairs that lead to the main bedroom. So Derek and I slept in the sofa bed on the first floor while the kids shared the nice king size soft bed upstairs! It was not so bad or maybe because we were so tired. We wanted to be as close as possible to the ship thats why we booked that hotel. The hotel was about 5 mins from the ship. There is a train that you can take from the airport to Civitavecchia for a fraction of what a private wheelchair accessible van would cost but you have to change trains and with 3 kids and 2 wheelchairs and a BUNCH of bags... I really did not feel like doing that! The train is http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD The company that we ended up using (after searching and searching for the cheapest fare) was Movartis Limo Service http://www.movartis.com///index.php?lingua_scelta=3__Inglese&ferma=OK The driver waits for you outside after you have gotten your bags with a sign with your name on it (that way you know that they are waiting for you). We had requested a wheelchair accessible van but they really did not bring that. They brought a van with a portable ramp to put the wheelchair in the trunk so we had to sit Derek in the front seat and put all bags in the trunk and back seat. The kids and I had to sit in the seat behind the driver and Derek. Thank God we all fit because if not our day would get very interesting! We pre-booked this company for 3 different legs of our trip. The second time we used them it was a lot better but the ramp is portable and NOT safe! Its like they just buy portable ramps and big buses and just have you drive up the ramp and hope to God you don't fall. Wish I had a picture!

The Flight to Rome, Italy

Our first far away trip was a cruise in the Mediterranean. We bought our tickets and flew to Rome, Italy (Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinvi Airport) http://www.rome-airport.info from Miami International Airport http://www.miami-airport.com  We flew with Airberlin  (only reason was they were the cheapest). Some airlines give the disabled person (limited mobility) and one companion the better coach seats for free. When boarding the plane they will board families with children and disabled passengers first, but if you need assistance getting off the airplane then you will be that last to come off.  They stored Derek's electric wheelchair which weights 304lbs (140kilos) in a cargo bin.  We then flew for 9 hours straight to Düsseldorf, Germany where we changed planes and then boarded another plane which flew us 2 hours to Rome, Italy. The airport in Italy is wheelchair accessible. The people there were very nice and most spoke some English. They helped me with my bags and Derek's other wheelchair (portable). We checked Derek's electric wheelchair in Miami and gate checked his portable wheelchair. That way we could have it in our connection. They do have wheelchairs at the airports but Derek's portable wheelchair is not like the regular ones. His reclines to help with blood pressure issues he might have. When they brought his portable chair to us in Germany we noticed that the armrest was broken. Oh well..not sure where they did that but we did not complain at baggage claim (which you can do). We were just so tired! Derek sat in the airplane for over 9 hours with occasionally standing him up to relieve pressure. He's a trouper. Coach seating stinks but everything else was way to expensive. There is no leg room and for a person with no or limited mobility it really stinks! Best seat are bulkhead seats! No one in front of you and more leg room.