“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”
-Helen Keller
Of course, just living with a child like Cameron is an adventure. We don’t even need to leave the house to have periodic rushes of adrenaline! Usually, it’s “Should we bring him to the emergency room right now, or should we wait to see if he does it again?” or “Does he look pale to you?”
We must be suckers because we go looking for even more adventure, choosing to take that complicated kid out of this house and into the world whenever we can. There’s nothing simple about traveling with Cam – or traveling at all, for that matter – but over the years we’ve learned a lot about how to get him around with minimal damage to him, us and personal property. As Cam grows and changes, our methods are going to have to change, too. But for now, we’re making it work.
I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’m making it up as I go along.
If I don’t know the right way to do something, or I’m feeling kind of tired, I just fudge it. But it’s better than not trying. And over time, it gets easier.
None of the following tips and advice is going to work for everybody and none are intended to replace the advice of medical doctors. Or lawyers. Or your own common sense. Or your mom. (Please read my disclaimer here)
Plus, I’m quite sure most of this stuff you would have thought of yourself if you had the time to stop and think of it. I’m just trying to save you time.
Currently my biggest cheat: Cam is still small enough to carry. Soon, he’ll be confined to a wheelchair for real, all the time, and I’ll have to add to these tips as I figure them out. Which reminds me! If you have any awesome advice or hints for others in our position, send them to me and I’ll add them in (and give you credit, of course). Maybe we can have a contest or something some time.
Anyway, sometimes my hacks and cheats work out great. Sometimes…not so much. I’ll give you both. And here’s what I got for ya:
(stay tuned for links…I’m working on it!)
Cameron’s travel tips
Edinburgh, Scotland
London, England
Colorado Mountain Road Trip
Florida Make A Wish
Boston for a Summer
California Beach Road Trip
Camping with a Disabled Kid
Our Future Goals for Cameron: Cam’s Ten Before Ten