Two things I’ve learned in the past forty years is, “never say never” and “I’m not invincible.”  I could have used this wisdom many times in the past and would have saved myself much agony and embarrassment.  Now, however, I am wiser and yet still find that situations occur in which I could have made better decisions.  One such situation recently occurred when I placed myself in a “sure to have an accident” position.  Driving down through the seventeen mile drive around Pebble Beach, at each view point I stopped the car, set up my photography equipment, and made some fabulous shots of the exquisite beauty there.  Much to my dismay just past viewpoint fifteen, I came across a beautiful scene which was photographically obscured by a chain link safety fence.  Having a relapse of memory regarding safety, I climbed up on a four inch railing to get a better “shot.”  Oh yes, I got the shot!  It cost me an excruciating knee injury and ruined the remainder of my trip.  What climbs up on a rail with expensive photography equipment, must come down!  In my case, I landed wrong on my feet while trying to protect my equipment, thus the end of a beautifully orchestrated photography trip.

When you are planning a vacation, one never expects to have physical or medical problems.  We somehow put out of our minds how vulnerable we are especially when out of our familiar environments.  Unless you are an individual coping with a handicap or have developed chronic illness, thoughts about transportation, mobility, and special needs rarely cross your mind.  Having interviewed countless hundreds regarding their perspective on health and well-being, everyone will tell you, “When health is lost – everything else is lost.” 

Before embarking upon your favorite vacation spot, make sure someone back home knows your plans.  Place important confidential and business documents in a fire proof safe box or bank safe deposit box.  Leave a trusted family member or friend with an itinerary and phone numbers should an emergency arise back home.  Those vacationing should keep in wallet, or purse and luggage, a copy of contacts with emergency numbers and copies of medications taken, along with any chronic illness information which would help facilitate your treatment in the event of illness or accident.   Prescription medications should always be kept in their original containers.  Keeping a copy of written prescriptions will always facilitate the refilling of lost or ruined medications while traveling out and abroad (www.aarp.org).

Know your limitations!  Should mobility be a problem, use the appropriate level of mobility related devices.  If you have trouble accessing stairs, plans may need to be altered when viewing some travel related places.  Having visited lighthouses on the east and west coasts, I know about how many steps I can walk up without needing assistance.  Lighthouse stairs and I do not get along well, so I satisfy my experiencing the lighthouses by walking around the lower levels and reading available literature about the entity (www.high-altitude-medicine.com).  Photographs are lasting memories of places you’ve visited.  Sure it would be great to go on up the fifty or sixty steps to get a “birds-eye” view, but why risk injury.   By reading about the sites before visiting, you will avoid having to either turn yourself away from a long awaited travel site or develop negative feelings about a particularly beautiful experience.

When the “unexpected” does occur and an injury has been sustained, assess your situation.  Call for help if emergency services are required, in the USA, 911 works well especially if you can give a location marker.  Should you be traveling with a group, the buddy system is always the best way to help deal with emergencies.  For the lone traveler, cell phones are an extension to others (provided a signal can be acquired)!  Once you have assessed your situation, start making plans for action and follow through.  Planning and follow through may be as simple as resting a couple of days and nursing sore muscles or strains, all the way to ending up in a hospital far away from home.  Should the extreme happen be assured that USA hospitals offer discharge planning and case management services which involve helping you get home with the least amount of difficulty.  The patient, caregivers, and family or available friends are all included in the planning process to maximize a successful outcome.

That’s all wonderful but what if I’m alone and handicapped by injury not necessarily needing treatment by healthcare professionals?  Seniors can sometimes find themselves in this dilemma.  The lone traveler navigating with luggage and self, through airports while handicapped, can be overwhelming.  Ask for help.  There are public relation personnel in every airport.  Even the ticket counter salespersons will assist you in acquiring wheelchair assistance.  Although airport security has slowed down the process of clearance through security check lines, the handicapped/injured person will have continued help through the security checks.  I’ve found that maintaining an attitude of composure and polite calmness helps facilitate the airport experience! (www.makoa.org , www.usinfo.state.gov , www.direct.gov)

With careful planning and remembering “you’re not invincible,” a mishap during vacation can be minimized from emergency to “just a bump in the road.”  From someone who has experienced the “unexpected” firsthand, my travel expectations have not been dampened!  I hope yours won’t be either.  Stay safe and Happy Traveling!