EnableMe | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Following my stroke in 2013 and three subsequent TIAs one of my deficits is sensory overload. This affects me every single day and is brought on by myriad of stimuli; for some reason flying is one of those things. This means I need to book Special Assistance and a wheelchair for when we get to our destination.

I am one of those survivors with unseen deficits so am often met with disbelief when I say I've had a stroke. That disbelief is magnified when I try to explain how I can go from being a capable, mainly independent, person to one that requires a wheelchair and assistance with communication.

A couple of years ago I had an idea to create a video showing how I get affected when flying but after recording the footage I never got around to putting it together. I have a StrokeSafe presentation coming up that is for students aged 10 - 15 and I thought it would be great for them to see how I can change so here is the clip I have created. Please excuse the video editing. I haven't done any in about 15 years so spent time Googling how to use ClipChamp.

Toni you are incredible, and very inspiring to share your travel experiences. thank you. How long does it take for you to recover, hours / days?

EHaverfield, I am so sorry that my reply is so delayed. I responded while away but was having trouble with wi-fi and so I'm thinking my reply never actually made it.

My recovery is varied. I can often statr walking about 30 minutes after getting off a plane but I do need to use my wheelie suitcase as support. Other times I'm on 'glow slow' for the next day or so; I do find the longer the flight the longer the recovery.

Have you tried travelling and if so how did you find it?

Toni