The best way to fly abroad when your child has cerebral palsy

How precise planning lands you the perfect plane journey

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Flying to another country
That last stage of stress before your holiday begins

And taking a child with cerebral palsy
has its own challenges

So prepare well to get your holiday off to a flier

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Before you go, you need to do plenty of research

Ask yourself, 'What could stand in our way this holiday?'

 
 
 

Will your child be comfortable on a long flight,
or will a shorter one be better?

 
 
 
 
 
 

Does your child need liquid medication on the flight?

If so, you'll need a note from your GP to take it through strict airport security

 
 
 
 
 

Will your child need a seat harness?

Some airlines supply them...

But not all

Don't worry. You can bring your own, and some websites even offer a hire service

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You can't take your child's wheelchair on board,
so it must go in the hold

Under EU law, you're allowed to check in
2 free items of equipment

And your child will be given a slim
'aisle wheelchair' to use in the airport

But...
A word of warning

Some baggage handlers have mastered the art of breaking wheelchairs

Don't risk an expensive electric wheelchair—take manual ones only

Fold down the chair and secure loose parts with tape

Remove accessories and put them into a bag to take on board with you

**Top Tip** Attach a laminated photo of your child to the wheelchair with a "Hello" message

This way, you humanise the wheelchair, so baggage handlers should think twice before throwing it around

 
 
 
 

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Thank you!

 
 
 
 

And you're all set.

Enjoy your trip!