Need advice on Air travel for PSP patient

[Anchit86]

Hello My father was diagnosed with PSP in the year 2015 though symptoms started to show two years before .Currently he is dependent for his movements , with stiffness in body , difficulty in eating .Also he make continuance noise which is not controllable by him.

I want to take him to my place where I am located due to my work which is a 2-30 hours flight.We are also concerned due to the prevalent covid situation.Can I travel.please suggest.

Kindly share if there are any support group which are based out in india will be helpful for us

[Yvonneandgeorge]

Hi sorry to hear about your father, my husband had PSP, he passed away a few years ago, we took him back to Cyprus from the UK to see his family, it was straight forward doing this, but with Covid around now, it would be very difficult, fingers crossed you find away to take him near you. Yvonne x

[Anchit86 in reply to Yvonneandgeorge]

Thanks for your reply Yvonneandgeorge. Any particular precautions you took while your airtravel

[Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Anchit86]

No not really, I was with the children when we went. Fingers crossed for you. Yvonne x

[Sawa]

Hi, I travelled with my husband (who had PSP) from London to Johannesburg. He was able to walk slowly with assistance at the time. I was luckily able to upgrade us to Business Class, and used a wheelchair in the airport. That got us priority boarding. Also told the stewardesses about his challenges and they were very helpful and supportive. We were last to disembark so could take our time and not be stressed. Definitely would have struggled in economy class seating, but this was a 10 hour flight. On a shorter flight, might be OK. I think the key is asking for help, so you can board first, take your time getting settled, and leave last. If you fly economy, try and get a seat without a seat in front so there's plenty of space. And just generally leave lots of time so you don't have to stress and rush.

Good luck!

[Anchit86 in reply to Sawa]

Thanks Sawa for your input

[Martina_MP]

If you or your father have resources, you could inquire with an air ambulance or air medical transport service which would transport him individually with COVID precautions—although there is always some risk.

[Anchit86]

Thanks Martina we would enquire about the air ambulance service though I know it's bit on the expensive side

[Farihaq]

I travelled with my father when he had a PEG, and a suprapubic catheter. He wasn’t independent so I helped him in and out of the aisle wheel chair ( the ones that go all the way to the seat in the plane) so yes travelling with someone with PSP is totally doable. However, I feel you’re putting him at risk especially with COVID and it’s variants .Have you considered a road trip if it’s within the country.