44 msfocusmagazine.org Take time before you travel to research physician availability at your destination. Contact your doctor, insurance company or even local embassy for recommendations and phone numbers of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Wheelchair If you are traveling with a wheelchair, make sure you have spare parts and tools for your wheelchair (and that you know how to use them or can instruct someone else in fixing any minor problems). The last thing you want on a Thanksgiving break is to be stuck trying to find someone to fix your chair. Finally, make sure you verify with a flight attendant that your wheelchair is on the plane before you take off. Upon arrival, give your chair or any other equipment a thorough look over to make sure nothing has been damaged. Don’t forget to check if your homeowners or renters insurance or travel insurance covers special equipment such as wheelchairs or other medical items. If not, take out special insurance that will give you enough coverage for peace of mind. 5. Plan Your Transportation While some cities have ample accessible taxis in circulation, there are plenty of destinations where accessible vehicles are still in the minority. Don’t count on being able to catch a taxi from the cab rank. Book ahead to make sure you are met by either a taxi that can transport a wheelchair – even a large electric one. Alternatively, reserve a spot on an accessible van from a nationwide company such as Super Shuttle. If you want to rent a car at your destination, many of the major companies offerwheelchair-accessiblevehicles orcarswith adaptive driving devices. Using accessibleGO’s Trip Resources directory can help you find accessible transportation at your destination in the U.S. 6. Give Yourself Plenty of Time Our last tip applies to anyone traveling at Thanksgiving. If possible – and we know it isn’t always – opt not to travel at peak times. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day is the most crowded for American airports (think extra-long lines and extra-short tempers). Don’t forget that it’s not just the airport itself that will be crowded. The roads around the airport are likely to be busier than usual. Even if you are a seasoned traveler who has flown multiple times, holiday times are notorious for once-a-year travelers who don’t know how best to negotiate check-in or navigate security lines. To keep your stress levels to a minimum, giveyourself some buffer time and arrive extra early so you arrive at your destination relaxed and ready for the holidays. Just remember, no matter how stressful or uncomfortable Thanksgiving travel can be, it will all be worth it once you get there. Life With MS Check out accesssibleGO.com to get travel tips, and write reviews to give travelers with disabilities a voice. MS Focus readers can join clubGO for steep discounts on travel: Visit clubgo.accessiblego.com/ms-focus to register.