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Returning to air travel after rehabilitation for a complex injury — such as a spinal cord injury (SCI) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) — can be daunting. As patients anticipate the transition back to their communities following inpatient rehabilitation, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab team members help them not only prepare to adapt to their home environments based on their current abilities but also to navigate complex, real-world settings — such as airports.
To help prepare patients for a return to air travel, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s recreational therapy team plans and facilitates regular outings to the airport to practice all aspects of air travel.
Follow Gio for a Special Trip to the Airport
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Recently, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab coordinated a visit to Chicago O’Hare International Airport as part of an ongoing collaboration with United Airlines.
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“Our airport outings provide patients with limited mobility an opportunity to practice all aspects of air travel before transitioning home after rehabilitation — and to learn about accessibility in different community environments,” said Mike Wehner, manager of therapeutic recreation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
One of the participants was Michael G., who goes by Gio. Gio came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for intensive inpatient rehabilitation after experiencing an SCI. While Gio can walk for short distances, he often uses a wheelchair for long distances and mobility.
During Gio’s visit to the airport, he gained real-world travel skills, learning all the steps to board and deplane. For example, Gio transferred into an aisle chair from his wheelchair on the boarding bridge, and then from the aisle chair to his plane seat. The aisle chair is narrow enough to go down the aisle of the plane, making it easier to get to his seat and access the restroom.
Gio also went through the full Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening process, an important part of checking in at the airport.
“Understanding TSA screening is typically a big concern for people flying again for the first time,” said Natalie Bilynsky, MS, CTRS, an inpatient recreational therapist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. “Gio and our patients learned about specialized services available to them through TSA and the airline, and also how to navigate barriers effectively with the support of airport staff.”
The airport training came just at the right time for Gio. He was preparing to transition from inpatient rehabilitation to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Burr Ridge Outpatient & DayRehab Center to continue his recovery. At the same time, he and his family wanted to go forward with a trip to Florida that they had planned prior to his SCI.
“This community reintegration experience was amazing. It gave me the confidence and resources to continue with our plans,” said Gio. “Everyone involved was so amazing — from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to United Airlines, TSA and the O’Hare airport staff.
“The trip to the airport was just a ton of fun, especially to get out of the hospital for a bit … I just wish I could have stayed on the plane and gone to Rome!” he continued.
Community Reintegration Training Beyond Air Travel
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In addition to airport outings, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers other community reintegration training opportunities to prepare patients for returning to community activities after discharge.
For example, the hospital’s recreational therapists take patients on outings to explore accessible locations throughout Chicago, such as farmers markets, coffee shops, cultural events, museums and park district facilities. The team also provides accessible travel training for public transit, demonstrating how to use buses and trains.
“When we take patients out in the community, they gain a better understanding of community mobility considerations, gain important insights into accessibility and problem solve around barriers to access with their recreational therapist,” said Mike.
