When Flights Go Right

Flying on an airplane with its narrow aisles, cramped seating, lack of overhead bin space, along with 200 or so strangers can NOT be enjoyable for anyone. There's no humor to be found. Add in all the variables of Parkinson's disease symptoms and even IF everything goes right, it's still not fun. 

Take for example, my Parky friend Jimmy Choi, who has competed on American Ninja Warrior several times. Jimmy should have ZERO problems when he's flying. But he has uncontrollable movements like tremors and dyskinesia. And because he doesn't want his wiggling, squirming and shaking bothering the strangers next to him (or get him thrown off the flight) he will TRY to stay perfectly still; which requires ALL of his concentration. So he ends up being exhausted when he gets where he's going. No fun for him. 

I don't have any noticeable tremor because the DBS surgery I had in 2012 is still doing its job. And I don't have dyskinesia because I don't take any Parkinson's medications. But that doesn't mean flying is easy for me. On a recent flight to Florida, most everything went right. 

Going through the TSA screening is always scary for me, I know they don't understand my DBS "brain pacemaker" and I'm concerned that it might get accidentally turned off. Thank God, I don't have to take my shoes off anymore. But trying to get my jacket off, put the right items in the bins, not falling down and then getting everything back together again when there's a line of people waiting behind me and grabbing their stuff, just makes me want to go back home. 

I try to get early boarding, if I can get to the gate in time and get the attendants attention. My voice is almost gone and the few words I CAN get out, make me sound like I'm drunk.

I also have trouble going DOWN ramps, so walking the jet bridge is an issue. Even stepping across the tiny gap in between the jet bridge and the plane is a problem. My Parkinson's riddled brain perceives it as a huge gap. All of this and I haven't even got ON THE PLANE yet!   

Trying to maneuver down the narrow aisle is difficult, and that's with the plane empty. 

I would love a window seat, so I could look out the window, but we choose aisle seats across from each other, because I need help to get up from sitting. I cannot stay seated for very long. Even at home I am up and down, up and down. 

On a recent trip to Florida, even though the flight went right, there were times I wish I could have traveled some other way. I wonder IF this is available? 

Now, that would be FUN!