Recounting my early years, it amazes me that my circle of friends survived to adulthood, especially absent major traumas. We didn’t consider strains, sprains, concussions and fractures to be major injuries, as we healed from those in time. We even jumped or dove off towering cliffs into murky lakes during our teen years, but none of us drowned or became paralyzed. Read More

It sometimes amazes me how easy it is to kick off a cascade of memories. One random thought leads to another, and soon they keep coming. It almost seems like they've been standing there, like dominoes, waiting for someone to knock the first one over. Read More

Recently I received an email from a mother whose son was taking his first flight in15 years. Since her son and I are both quadriplegic and power chair users, I was able to provide some condensed advice (based on over 100 flights) that should help make their trip a success. Read More

Spring! It's that time of year again. Daffodils are blooming and the grass is turning green. The passes are clear of snow, although it is piled high in the surrounding mountains. It seems like the perfect time to plan the first road trip of the year.

Unlike many of my fellow drivers on the highways today, it is not possible for me to simply jump into the car with an overnight bag and hit the road. Quadriplegia makes every overnight trip a complicated affair, but careful planning and a positive attitude can also make it a delightful experience.

I am fortunate to have driven over 600,000 miles in my lifetime, and most of it was done without accidents (or tickets) to mar the trips. During that time I've driven through about half of the United States, and eventually would like to see the other half from the ground instead of from the air. My other good fortune is to have a van with driving controls set up to match my needs, which has allowed me to drive for up to 14 hours with only minimal stops.

The impetus for this first road trip will be my attendance at the annual awards gala for my favorite humanitarian organization, UCP Wheels for Humanity, which will be held in Hollywood in early April. The trip from my home in Washington State requires a drive of about 1140 miles in each direction. After adding in the miles for a few side trips to buy gas and food, the roundtrip should be about 2,400 miles. I hope to get 15 mpg and may be able to get by with 160 gallons of gas. Unfortunately, now that the unrest in the Middle East has pushed the price of gasoline almost as high as bottled water, I’m estimating that cost at about $670 for the trip.

Some of you are probably wondering why anyone would drive that distance instead of flying. Airline tickets for the same destination run about $550, plus baggage fees and airport parking. Multiply that times two for the personal care attendant who would travel with me because of the length of the trip. At the other end of the flight it would be necessary to use SuperShuttle or a similar van service to get back and forth between the airport and the hotel, and no transportation would be available for local visits away from the public transit corridors.

Air travel also requires one to arrive at the airport two hours in advance of the flight, and to endure the manhandling that accompanies transfers between wheelchairs and airline seats. Last but not least, there is a concern that my power wheelchair may not arrive at my destination in the same shape it was in when it was turned over to the air carrier to put in the belly of the plane. Besides, coast-to-coast trips don't usually have an option of driving so when a shorter trip is possible it feels good to be able to drive.

Springtime driving in the West includes much green, both in the forests and rolling hills or farmland. There is a chance of timing it right in order to see the wildflowers bloom in the hills of California, with a palette of beautiful hues that fade away in a few brief weeks. It is also an easy drive, with a four lane freeway the entire distance. By contrast, the trip by air usually provides only a view of mountain tops sticking above the clouds, and even less to see from an aisle seat.

Most of the preparations have been completed, with tires rotated and balanced. The van has had its oil changed and is lubricated. Tire chains and a roadside emergency kit, including a small snow shovel, are stored in the back just in case a spring shower of that white stuff is encountered. Hotel reservations have been made for both legs of the trip, based on past experience on the same route. My spare shower chair will be loaded soon, along with a suitcase full of supplies and clothing for the trip. We’ll also pack some bottles of water and a few granola bars, just in case delays are encountered.

This will be the first long trip for the van from hell, as the three times it has traveled cross-country have been on the back of a truck. Much has been invested to make it suitable and safe for me to drive, and I plan to be able to attest to the positive aspects of this trip in a future blog. Wish me luck!

© 2011 Michael Collins

If you think it is necessary to spend big bucks for a vacation to remember, think again. Some of the more exciting adventures of your life may be found within a few hours, or minutes, of home. Flying is the key, and it doesn't always involve commercial airlines.

Virtually every major vacation destination features businesses which offer scenic flights, or more challenging activities, in the air. I've viewed the inside of the crater of Mount St. Helens from a helicopter, and circled Mount Rainier in the front seat of an open-cockpit vintage biplane. It takes two or more husky people to wrestle my 200-pound frame into the passenger seats of more exotic aircraft, but it's definitely worth the struggle.

I’ve been in a two-seater glider circling through desert updrafts, and in a float plane over Puget Sound, and the change in perspectives from those aerial viewpoints is amazing (I do regret skipping the scenic helicopter flights during visits to Phoenix and Las Vegas, but business and blackjack kept me busy). There are other options ahead for me soon; it’s possible to para-sail behind a speedboat and get winched back down to the rear deck without getting wet, hot air balloons look like fun, and a nearby airport advertises flights in an authentic WWII warplane. All I will need is someone to help transfer me, and less than $150.

To find out what flight options might be available, there are several methods that work. Check out the local yellow pages for flying services, or call the manager at the nearest private airport or check out Able Flight. Most businesses involved with flying will know if there are scenic flights available locally, or where the owner of a vintage airplane might be found. The Chamber of Commerce is another good source of information, and if you’re on vacation check out the brochure rack in your hotel’s lobby.

Keep in mind that the Air Carrier Access Act doesn't apply to this type of flight, and call ahead to assure that your situation can be accommodated. Be prepared for a little indignity during the loading process, and wear comfortable clothing. For open cockpit flights, be prepared for cooler air and wind at higher altitudes. If you fear flying, don’t forget ferry rides, river rafting, scenic cruises and sternwheeler trips. All of the above can make any day worth remembering, and adventures don’t need to be expensive to be memorable.

© 2011 Michael Collins