Being disabled and traveling in a wheelchair brings unique challenges. But as an adaptive sports athlete traveling with two wheelchairs and baggage can be very complicated and challenging. Given that I only have two hands and need both to push my chair, I have had to develop clever solutions for this situation.
- I have found that placing the large bag on top of my sports wheelchair acts as a perfect carrier for my bag. I put my backpack on the backrest of my everyday chair, which perfectly holds the backpack. Then I push my everyday chair with one hand while holding and pushing with my other hand on the back of my sports chair.
- Don’t check your sports chair as baggage at the airport. Keep it and push it to the gate. Too many times, my sports chair has been lost or damaged by the airlines. No chair for me means I can’t compete.
- The sports chair is a perfect holder for any baggage or carry-on luggage. Meaning you only have the chairs to push but no extra weight to have to carry.
Happy travels, everyone!