…For small or large health issues, always mention this to the person on the other end of the phone or mention it in your email line.
Being somewhat handicapped, I often wonder if I’m the only one who has trouble standing in a long queue, However, I am about to give you a few tips to ease your discomfort.
Most large airports are ready to assist and it’s been most helpful for me.
If you used a travel agent, tell them before booking about your physical difficulty. If walking, climbing mountains, or steep steps or have other issues, get their advice especially if it’s a group trip. Of course, if you are about to take a cruise with many ports of call, it would be wise to ask for a staff member on the ship to provide someone to assist the often rickety walkway.
Those are the pre-booking issues. Now off to the flight.
If it’s a large airport, there will be a “Service Entrance. From there it will be easy. At the airport, usually, you will be offered a wheelchair. Perfect, but these days, with little staff, it may take time so give yourself an extra hour. Better to be at the airport early than sitting in your living room twiddling your thumbs? If this service isn’t available there will be a designated seating area where all the seating has the handicap symbol. Also have your ticket/boarding pass, easily available and eventually, a staff member with a wheelchair will appear.
If you belong to an air club or fly Business Class, there are lounges where you can enjoy the wait until the plane is boarding.
You may be the first or the last to board but the plane won’t leave without you.
If vision is your problem, an air steward will be most helpful with your carry-on luggage. Make sure when purchasing your ticket you ask for an aisle seat. And ask where the loo and emergency exits are located.
However, there are two most important lessons prior to any trip….patience and politeness.