8 minute read
Recipe For Life: Special Needs Groups Need Getaways Too
By Kandy Derden / Things - to - do - Editor
Like so many people, I have numerous responsibilities. I have a family to care for and a home to maintain plus a fulltime job. I even find time for extra-curricular activities and volunteer work. Still, there are people who wonder why I’m such a list maker.
Approximately a year ago, I was asked for some suggestions regarding travel with people who have special needs, especially handicapped children. The list for this one is lengthy. For starters, carry any necessary paperwork with you. This includes phone numbers of parents, permission slips with secondary contact information, medications with instructions and information regarding personal care needs.
If any medications need to be dispensed during your trip, have them handy and yet secure in their original packaging so the instructions and dosages are clearly written. Trying to rely on memory can be potentially dangerous.
On day trips, prescriptions can be given pretty close to regular times, but don’t forget about over the counter items which might be needed. Have the patient’s name clearly visible on the package to prevent a mix up. If parents/ guardians have given oral instructions, write them down clearly and keep with the specific product. Insulin, inhalers and epi pens are items which are used in a time-critical fashion, so be familiar with the process before leaving. In a crisis, there might not be time to look for, find, read and carry out instructions. In other words, be ready! I might also suggest an insulated tote bag for carrying some of these items.
If anyone requires a medic alert bracelet or call button, be familiar with the specific issue requiring the usage of each. In addition to all the usual items you need, there is also mobility gear. Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, strollers, scooters, and crutches are indispensable to a percentage of the population. If you don’t have specialized license plates for the disabled, make sure you at least have a hanging handicapped tag.
Service animals are being used more and more these days. The training has expanded from seeing eye dogs to include hearing impairment, seizure anticipation, low blood sugar prevention, emotional support during panic attacks or to prevent self-harm or stress. This is a good thing, but it will require a couple of additions to your lists. The animals will need their harness and/or leash, food, water, possibly treats and pitstops in a grassy area.
After all that, it may seem like we’re ready to go. Not quite. We need to think about all the additional things we need to take along with us. Let’s discuss the most critical items first. For starters, if any of your travelers are non-verbal, remember to have their Nova Chat available and fully charged so they can express their needs.
If needed, a wearable ID tag will help in the event of a lost person. We all know there are some who like to wander off on their own. As a precaution, make sure everyone knows what to do if they get separated from the group. Meet at the flagpole, a specific statue, the main gate or some other easily recognizable location. Remind them also to reach out to police, sheriff or security guards. Don’t forget to snap a quick photo of your group at the beginning of the day. This way, you will know exactly what color clothes they are wearing and can describe them to authorities in the event someone gets lost. Besides, it makes a great memento for afterwards. I’ve seen groups who wear matching t-shirts on field trip day so it is easy to identify who belongs together. This is a great idea which is useful for children, families and senior citizens also. Just don’t select black shirts in the summer because it is way too HOT!
While we’re on the subject of shirts, let’s discuss other clothing. We all know how to pack a diaper bag for babies. However, for children, teens and adults who are incontinent, most any form of bladder protection can become bulky.
A backpack is a discreet way to always be prepared. This is always good advice along with a full change of clothes. This is especially handy for those with reduced motor skills. Spills, ripped seams, malfunctioning zippers, missing buttons and other accidents can be reduced from tragedy status to minor inconvenience. As an aside, spare dry socks and shoes are always good if you plan to be anywhere near water. Remember, an umbrella is for the head and shoulders. Feet still get wet, especially if you have a puddle splasher in your group.
Here’s an idea worth remembering: when traveling in large groups requiring a bus for transportation, have a chaser vehicle. It can be used for sending home someone who is not critical, but net feeling well. Or I have heard of teachers who use if to send home a misbehaving student. It’s amazing how well behaved everyone else is after something like that happens. In fact, I was asked to drive an escort car once because it is easier to put an injured person in a car and go get help than it is to round up the whole crew and take a bus to the ER.
If you are anything like my family, you travel with snacks. We try to avoid empty calories and select healthy options since most of the munching is from boredom rather than actual hunger. This limits the options a bit as does the weather. We all know chocolate in any form is likely to melt and make a huge mess in the process. Finding healthy choices which are easily portable, yet tasty and not messy to eat are rare indeed. Therefore, frequent stops for snacks or a light meal is something we must consider when planning our travel schedule. Otherwise, it might be easier to ask everyone to bring their own snack.
Recently, I agreed to go along on a school field trip to be a caregiver for one special needs child. What was I thinking? With a bit of prep time and a good complete list, field trips can be fun and educational. However, the list is two pages long just for a trip to Walmart. But wait; there’s more! We are stopping for lunch while out and about. This begins a whole new chapter of all the things to remember about dietary restrictions. We have students who cannot eat one or more of the following items: sugar, salt, gluten, dairy, seafood, nuts, red dye, berries or citrus. And this does not even include preservatives such as monosodium glutamate which can wreak havoc on sensitive digestive systems.
Imagine the headache involved to get food ordered for a group when each one has allergies, food preferences, and special preparation requests. In addition, there is the issue of knowing the amount of money available for each since most don’t understand the value of currency. In many cases, fast food isn’t fast for this group. Plus, these students require a bit of extra time to actually finish eating. Whew! No wonder most stay home a lot. But they are people too and need occasional shopping trips and fun. So be appreciative of the ones who do this job of helping special needs students navigate through new experiences. This is not a field trip for these volunteers; it is a job involving constant diligence and work. Rest assured they have done their prep work to make your loved one’s trip a pleasant experience. It allows parents and caregivers a few hours of peace, quiet, rest and a much need breather. Speaking of a break, depending on the activity, it might be wise to plan a midday rest period. If the students don’t need it, the caregivers sure do.
A couple of other things which might come in handy are earplugs, sunglasses, visors, hair ties, sun hats and baseball caps. So, there you have it: the complete list . . . almost. It may seem like you have everything except the kitchen sink. You guessed it. Take that too in the form of wet wipes or a wet washcloth in a zipper bag.
Now, I wonder what I should pack for myself. Perhaps I’ll start with a pillow for a quick snooze on the trip home, a blanket and earplugs. Hmmm, I think I need to make a list!
