How I Travel as a Quad Amputee Mom (Yes, It’s Possible)
Let’s talk about it.
Traveling is hard.
Traveling with children? Even harder.
Traveling with children and a disability? Whew. That’s next level.
Our first family vacation as a family of five also happened to be our first trip since I became disabled. And let me just say—I was not prepared for how overwhelming it would be.
The Mental Load of Packing as a Disabled Mom
It started with the questions:
How will I pack everything I need?
What if I forget something critical—like my charger or medication?
How do I make sure my kids are covered while also thinking about my adaptive needs?
My list was intense:
My medications
Wheelchair charger
Prosthetic liner socks
Heating pad for my legs
Compression gear
My children’s clothes, snacks, toys, medications…
The anxiety was unreal.
So I did what many of us do—I opened TikTok and searched those “how I travel with my kids” packing videos. And I started clicking “Add to Cart” on everything:
✔️ Prepackaged kids’ meds
✔️ Nausea patches
✔️ First aid kits
✔️ Busy toys for airplanes and cruise ships
✔️ Anything that might make me feel less overwhelmed
I thought if I packed perfectly, I’d be fine.
What I Underestimated
What I didn’t anticipate was how much flexibility I’d need—not just because I have children, but because I have children and I’m in a wheelchair.
I need accommodations that most parents don’t.
And I need parenting support that most disabled travelers don’t.
Together? That made basic things—like dinner reservations or shore excursions—really hard.
Even though we paid for a high-end cruise suite with concierge service and extra support, I found myself constantly hitting walls.
They could either accommodate the wheelchair OR the kids… but rarely both. And even when they could, it required extra conversations, double confirmations, and often... frustration.
It Wasn’t Smooth Sailing
Not even close.
But it was still worth it.
I learned so much—about what to bring, what to expect, what to advocate for, and most of all… what I need to thrive when I travel with my family.
I talk more about the cruise industry and accessibility in another blog post (because whew… that’s a story on its own), but here’s what I want you to take away from this one:
📝 Make a List, and Be Prepared
Here’s your must-have travel checklist if you’re a disabled parent:
✔️ Your adaptive devices (chargers, padding, socks, tools)
✔️ Your meds + backups
✔️ Child medications in travel packs
✔️ Entertainment for your littles (pre-downloaded, screen-free, snack-packed)
✔️ Your daily routine comfort items (pillows, heating pads, compression gear)
✔️ A detailed “Needs” note to show concierge or hotel front desk staff
✔️ And most importantly: Grace for yourself
Because even with the best planning, there will be bumps. But guess what?
You’re still doing it.
You Can Do It—Even If You Do It Differently
You might not glide through the airport. You might need help getting to your seat. You might have to rework your plans five times before they feel good.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t travel.
It just means you travel differently.
And different doesn’t mean broken.
It means bold. It means brave.
It means prepared—and determined.
So yes, I travel as a quad amputee mom.
And it’s hard.
But it’s also beautiful.
And absolutely, 100%, possible.
