I was able to make all the arrangements for going up to Orlando and meeting my son and his family in March! This is big for me, as scheduling correctly is in an area that my brain was greatly affected. Let me share just what I needed to do, and you can add in what stress you think it involved.

Email friend who is going with me, about flight schedules. She lives an hour south of me, and works 9-5 normally. The last flight out from the airport which is 45 minutes north of me is 7:45 pm. She has already "taken" that Friday off from work, but now needs to get someone to work her late hours on the flight day. She has to be at my home by 5 pm, because the airport shuttle has to pick us up then.

Before securing flights, book room at Disney World. It's in season (Resurrection Sunday week) and peak rates, and they are already filling up. ( I just can't stay at a value resort there this time, as it is too far out. Plus, the motor coaches are farther apart 20+ minutes, they only take 2 wheelchair ppl at a time and I would have to take Caleb on one to the kennel where I will let him play during the daytime.) Find passholder numbers. Oh well, no discounts during peak season.

Book flights. Fill in all forms regarding wheelchair battery handling, and service dog flying in cabin. In midst of booking online, have to find my rapid rewards number. Have to also find the flight voucher numbers. (They damaged wheelchair last trip, gave me flight credit.)

Arrange Magical Express, free airport transportation when I stay on site. Accessible vehicle.

Arrange airport shuttle. Accessible vehicle requires an additional contact. I've learned to go ahead and book as a regular trip online, get my reservation #s and then request the accessible vehicle. Otherwise they try to charge extra and also say they can't provide the service.

Email to the MS society requesting use of motorized wheelchair bounces, twice. I use a different email address of my own, and it goes through. Now waiting to hear. It's complicated this time, because I also need it for 10 days ahead of the Orlando trip, for some Scouting volunteering. They've dropped it off and pick it up afterwards at the Council office before (and Council moves it to the school with their equipment.) BUT I need them to pick it up and bring it to my home for my trip. AND I have to schedule it for when I am Home! Whew! No reply yet. If this falls through, I will have to rent one.

I think there was more. I do have to renew my dining experience card, and make dining reservations. I sent son an email with suggestions. IF he doesn't reply today, I will go ahead and make them; one can always cancel what I don't use/need, but at least my friend and I will be able to sit and eat while there!

Make copies of all reservations, documents. Send copies to friend via email. Create trip folder for all documentations.

whew! Now to finish Caleb's training so he flies in cabin with me. He's done really well this week, btw.

Being able to do all this is wonderful! (I'm working on self appreciation ) Yes, it's taken 21 years of therapy to retrain my brain and also my mind and body, but look where I'm at now! Yes that is a long time, but if I hadn't stayed on path, I would still be "here" but without being able to do this. Thanks for reading! I hope it will encourage others to stay the path of healing.

I thank God for His mercies in helping me stay calm through all this, and even though it took a few tries on some things, I was able to keep focus to complete the tasks!