Flying with a Disability
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airline bladder relief
airline bladder relief
I no longer travel for work as it would be unsafe for me, in a power chair, to be on most construction sites. I’m a controls engineer.
However, I have been asked to travel for training purposes.
i have been reading the posts of some very adventurous people but I have an eye on the details.
I’m sorry if this is indelicate, but how does one empty ones bladder on a 12 hour flight? Is there special equipment one wears? I didn’t fit into an airline toilet when I was an able bodied person, I’m certainly not going to fit into one with a power chair.
Thanks!
- 8 Replies
Hello!
I have been on 13+ hour flights between Canada and Japan many times – not fun, but it can be done.
First off, on long-haul flights there are now “accessible washrooms”. Of course, they are not completely accessible, but they are about 2.5x the size of a regular airplane toilet. I used one earlier this year and I fit in with my personal care attendant. The airplane has an aisle wheelchair that you can use to get to the toilet. So, actually, the toilet fit me, my carer, and the small wheelchair. Just note that it can take some time for the staff to get and assemble the wheelchair – so don’t leave it to the last minute!
Other people use catheters that strap to the leg. Though, it can take time to get used to peeing when you aren’t on the toilet, so you may want to try it out a few times first!
Finally, my usual method (which you should ignore because it isn’t very safe/healthy!) is to avoid drinking a number of hours before the flight and to take a sleeping pill. For the most part it works well.
Hope some of that was helpful!
How would I know, in advance of a 12 hour flight to Japan, if the airplane had a wheelchair accessible bathroom?
Depending on the airline you are flying, I would think you should be able to contact them and ask. When we book flights we look at the layout of the airplane to understand whether there is an accessible bathroom and try to choose our seats based upon its location. Of course, there’s no guarantee the plane will be the same as we booked. We also confirm both at the gate and then again on the flight that there will be an aisle transfer chair available during the flight and ask that an attendant put eyes on it to confirm it is still in place. I’m sure the attendants find this annoying but they have always been kind in doing so and hopefully understand the critical nature of it for someone on a long haul flight who needs it.
I’m not sure, but I think almost all international flights with on planes with two aisles have them now by law… where are you flying from? What is the airline?
@dgrengineer how did things work out?
I used not to drink to lessen trips to the restroom, but of course 12 hours without water (and while on the air) will leave me parched. It took me time to get used to the idea of a catheter, but eventually I was eased into it because going to the toilet is one less thing to worry about.
Many airplanes now have bigger bathrooms for the onboard wheelchair. Have you tried them?
First of all it is not at all indecent to ask this question as it is genuinely a problem for lot of people. My Dad being in his late 80’s really struggles with this situation on a flight and he has opted for catheters that gets tied to his leg.But that’s because of his age factor as well.For him that is the most convienent way to address the nature’s call.
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