Traveling Reflections
June 11th, 2025
I was talking with one of my physical therapist just before I left before my trip. I owe them so much as they got me healthy to go on this trip. Many painful exercises and stretches where I have learned to go from crutches to cane to little or no help. I still need the cane for stairs both up and down, but that need is reducing over time. Without the help and encouragement from the fine team of my physical therapist office I would not be here this late morning.
I am on an adventure right now that I often worried about whether I would be able to go. There were the milestones of being able to walk the house without assistance. For 2 months I had to get around on a little creeper stool on wheels. I wore out 2 wheels on the way. I took the joyous first standing shower after months of sitting on a stool and getting my wife’s patience help.
Then there was the monotonous experience of sitting in bed for 2 month now a more and more distant memory. My only travel being from the bed to the bathroom. I did have the wonderful visual pleasure of seeing my work on the wall in my studio which was helpful. Many memories to look at and remember. Unfortunately they also made me wonder whether I would ever do something like that again. A long haul from creeper stool to walking but I have made it. Again only with the help of my physical therapists and my wife. Would not be here now without them.
The airport trip was relatively easy. Our uber guy picked us up and took us to the airport. He was gracious enough to carry our bags in and out of his escalade. He got us there in plenty of time and was happy to take my wife to the other terminal (She is traveling to visit family while I am doing wildlife photography).
Checking in and getting to the TSA area was easy once I got the hang of handling my rolling camera bag and clothing bag. Several Alaska airlines personel helped me get my bag checked in and directed me to TSA. One minor issue, the Alaska airline lady forgot to give me my passport back. I fortunately checked before I left for the TSA area.
First Class has several perks including a shorter TSA line which I was grateful to have since it didn’t strain my leg as much. Then there was the impatient TSA person who wasn’t happy how long it takes for a man with a weak leg to get his shoes off. Cane wasn’t enough of a hint and he was somewhat brusk. I uncharacteristically didn’t say anything back and moved on. His boss was kind enough to get me a chair to help get my shoes back on. After a short amount of walking, I got to the gate.
I found my wife nearby, she is on a different flight but we ended up in the same place. Weird. Got to spend an hour before I boarded. A really good memory from the flight was a very kind man who helped me get my camera back into the overhead and then out again when we landed. I am so grateful for the help and told him so.
