Traveling while blind is not for the faint of heart. It’s been years since I’ve traveled outside the good old US of A. The last time I flew was back in 2017 to Ontario with my guide dog, Bailey.  This time it is Dublin, Ireland with my bestie without the dog. The paperwork and restrictions just seem insurmountable.  The amendments to the ACAA, or Air Carrier Access Act in 2016 required additional and burdensome meant to identify the individuals posing their emotional support animals or ESAs as service dogs. The amendment instead put the burden of proof on the actual guide and service dog handlers. Additionally, air carriers added the forms to their websites and broke the accessibility to fill them out online with assistive technology, causing mass confusion about  the application to fly with a legitimate service dog, which wasn’t required prior to 2016.

 

It is the proverbial bad apples spoiling the whole bunch. Even flying within the United States and its territories has become confusing and based on what I’ve read and heard from other guide dog users, depending on the carrier, you might get denied when you are at the gate boarding the plane because of their own failure to process your application.

 

Anyway, without my dog, I feel  less agile. I use a white cane and a support cane. I am fat and feel like I haven’t been traveling for a decade, which is partially true. But I love traveling. The challenge is what I live for, like packing as light as possible. I think I will need to sacrifice bringing an extra pair of jeans for undies. I am a size 20 and my bestie is a size 10, so my bloomers won’t dry overnight. I will pack as many as I can just in case.

 

One day I will get one of those bags that  is the size of a carryon but claims to fit three days of clothes plus a pair of shoes, laptop, a charging station and an anti-leak water bottle holder. But I wonder if the perceived extra room   of this wonder of the luggage world includes a place for the supplements and OTC  treatments older travelers will need to pack.

I will carry and deploy the bib of protection so I can get three days out of my shirt.    I will set aside $$ for laundry services. Such is the life of a large Marge.

 

Ireland will require a charging adapter, international phone plan, disability assistance at the airport, and maybe a seat belt extender. I can’t forget my neck pillow.

Will it be hotter than expected, will I  bring the right clothes for the weather?  Will I even need the thick hoodie on this trip? It’s been warmer than usual over there. Global warming really messes up my planning, you know?

 

My travel agent reported some disappointing news regarding some excursions and my disability. I was half-shocked to receive denials from a few excursion companies because I am blind and use a walking cane. WTF???

I am still deciding whether or not to wear a cap emblazoned with “Blind Traveler” and a wrist tether keeping us from being separated. Tomorrow I will most likely order them from Amazon, just to be safe.

I must remember I will not be in the United States, that other countries handle people with disabilities differently. But, alas, I am a “entitled American”. Will I run away in shame when I am faced with a potential denial? Or shall I aggress against the status quo?    Hm, it depends on the best refund and/or credit opportunity. 😉