I get emails on a pretty consistent basis from people looking to contribute content or repost good material from other sites. Million Mile Secrets sent me this great guide to traveling with chronic pain and illness. They have affiliate links for credit card promos, which is something I’ve been meaning to learn about in detail because I feel like I always leave money on the table simply because I refuse to learn the points game.
Some highlights:
- Keep prescription medications in your carry-on luggage (that way, you never lose it if your bag doesn’t get to your intended destination)
- Don’t sit at the back of the plane, because turbulence is worse back there (and you can’t recline!)
- Sign up for a credit card that allows access to those fancy airport lounges where you can relax before a flight instead of suffering in terrible airport chairs (this had never occurred to me, I thought you had to have like a billion dollars and a black AmEx before you were allowed in those lounges)
- How to use popular apps like Uber, Lyft, and AirBnB with appropriate filters for wheelchair-accessible vans and easily accessible properties to rent
The article even includes wheelchair accessibility and rules for each airport, a snapshot of which is included below:
Traveling with chronic pain and illness takes a lot of planning and foresight. Oftentimes, we end up paying more simply to make our travel a smoother experience. I’ve definitely spent money on additional services just because I’m so exhausted and I want to get to where I need to go. This year, it’s time to start being savvier with my spending — especially on travel, because now I know I can do it!
Wear, Tear, & Care 
Great advice, Jennifer! I’ve traveled a lot and when I developed chronic back pain, it became very difficult for me to stand for more than a few minutes and/or walk any kind of distance. In daily life at home, I use a rollator & cane for assistance, but I can’t manage in an airport. I’ve learned you can ask for non-wheelchair assistance, which is basically just to be picked up and transported by in-terminal shuttles. I have to confess, though, that it took me a long time to admit to myself that I really (desperately) needed those services…and that I had to ensure that I planned for a lot of additional time in the terminal (and with flight layover times and such) when using either shuttle or wheelchair services. I chose the shuttle services because they are actually faster than wheelchair service in many airports, and they can accommodate my rollator and my (small) carry-on bag when they pick me up, which the wheelchair service can’t easily do. Also, believe it or not, the shuttles are more dependable…I’ve actually been “forgotten” when waiting to be picked up by the wheelchair service! And to make it worse, I was forced to wait in a dark, dank “special” waiting room that did *not* broadcast flight announcements when that (being forgotten) happened. Out in the terminal, the shuttles run constantly and you can at least flag one down if you’re running late…*but* I’ve never been “forgotten” by a shuttle – do you believe it?! It’s certainly challenging and you have to be a strong advocate for yourself and/or travel with someone who is willing to do so for you!
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