in seven mostly easy steps…

How do you plan a trip? Some people love to book a ticket and just show up. If your family is anything like mine, you know that can’t work for a grocery run, no less a vacation. Honestly, the process can feel overwhelming. And yet, I do it – over and over again: because it’s so worth it! I’ve learned a lot in the process to make it easier, especially if you’re just getting started, so I thought I’d share. If you break the planning down into manageable chunks, traveling with special needs is doable and so enjoyable.

1. Identify what’s holding you back

This may sound silly, but it’s not. I used to be leery of going out of the house at all. The whole idea of it felt overwhelming: the kids, the equipment, not knowing what we would or wouldn’t be able to actually do, not knowing how the kids would respond, etc., etc.. Instead of feeling a pile of fear, give each fear a name so you can call it as it is! Most of my fears were actually pretty tiny. The first one that needed to be handled was how to get around. My son can’t walk. When this was new, it was daunting and I wasn’t sure how to maneuver through the world.

2. Think about how to overcome those obstacles

Ok, so we have concerns with accessibility because of mobility. Now what? What is it that you want to do, and how can you make it happen? We wanted to hike. So, we’d need a way to get someone who couldn’t stand on his own through a trail. My first thought was some really rugged wheels. So I started to research.