Flight Instructions

Art and I were commenting this week on the fact that Kate has really been listening intently to conversations lately and asking very thoughtful questions about the topics discussed.

It reminded us of the time that he and Kate flew from Arizona to Illinois together. We didn’t just pick up and move to Arizona one day. It was a five-year plan to get the four of us here. A lot of preparation must be taken when moving disabled adults across country successfully.

Once we had purchased our home and I had secured a position, we needed to get Kate enrolled in her Day Program, Marc Community Resources. That is a three-month process… three months too long for her to be sitting around the house. Structure is one thing that keeps us all sane.

Stage one was getting the dogs, Art, Kate and myself out to Arizona into our home, becoming Arizona residents and getting the paperwork started for Kate. Once that was complete, Art flew home with Kate and she returned to her program at Our Place and he went back to work until the final move.

We were both very nervous about them flying. Kate had flown once when she was little and I’m pretty sure I sedated her. Then there is the bathroom issue… he can’t take her in there and she can’t go with him. Being able to use the family bathrooms was life changing! She went first, then Art went, and she stayed right outside the door and he talked to her the entire time. He then made sure neither one drank any liquids till they got to Illinois.

As she does talk, a lot... to anyone about anything Art made the decision for the benefit of his fellow passengers to wait for the plane at a different gate so not to wear out the ears of the people on their flight. So, the people at the “waiting gate” I’m sure were thankful that Miss Chatty wasn’t on their flight and the people on his flight had no idea the kindness he had just shown them. Such a smart man.

While waiting he suggested they go to the window and look at the planes, thinking this would entertain her. They did, and in doing so they walked in front of someone who had taken off his shoes, so of course she did also. Try to explain to her why she shouldn’t do that in front of an adult who did… awkward.

Finally, they boarded the plane and he was getting her all settled in, she was in the middle and he was on the isle. Pretty soon the stewardess was making the airline safety announcements. The first instruction to come across the loud speaker was “Please put down you trays and electronic devices and listen to the instructions.” Kates’ response was “No thank you”.

Then they explained how the life vests operated. Art said the look on her face was priceless when she asked him, “Do we need these?” Then came the exit and emergency evacuation instructions. She wanted to know what emergency and where do they go… keep in mind she doesn’t speak quietly. I’m sure the experienced passengers around her got a chuckle out of that - and maybe paid attention since she asked such pertinent questions.