April 29, 2018 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Travel Made Easy: Wheelchairs in airports

Can you hear it now? “I don’t need a wheelchair at the airport” No, I’m sure you’d rather be exhausted when you arrive at the gate and worry about finding the connecting gate and getting there in time.

It’s hard admitting you can’t do what you used to do. Using a wheelchair in an airport can be a challenge, physical and mental. It’s more about giving up control of your time and environment. It’s accepting something that you are fighting to keep. Believe me, I understand. But most airports cover huge distances between terminals and let’s not even talk about TSA lines.

As a traveler, you can end up standing in line for undetermined amounts of time and then walking to distant gates. And if you’re changing flights from domestic to international, who knows the distances. And that’s just it: Who knows the distances? When I first started traveling after a stroke, I had no choice but to accept the use of a wheelchair but now I am a firm believer in making my life easier so I can continue to travel.

To arrange for a wheelchair to or from a plane and for transfers between flights: Simply let the airline know you need a wheelchair when you make the reservation or call the airline after finalizing the reservation. Be prepared to tell the travel agent or airline agent if you can walk onto the airplane. When you check in for the flight, remind the agent you have requested a wheelchair. And yes, tip the wheelchair attendants who love to receive tips for service.

Walking down the ramps to board the plane can be a challenge especially when a thundering hoard of people is rushing behind you to get on the plane. So upon arrival at the gate, I always inform the airline personnel behind the desk that I walk very slowly and need a little extra time to get to the airplane. I’ve been accommodated every I’ve asked for a little extra time.

It isn’t the same as before but then again, what is?

Travel Tips: Request wheelchair services when making flight arrangements. Don’t fight using a wheelchair. This will make your life and your traveling companion’s life much easier.

About Kate DeLosso

Kate DeLosso is a travel professional with over 20 years of experience traveling the world on land and by ship, visiting over 30 countries with an emphasis on travel in Asia. Kate DeLosso Travel is a home based travel agency that helps individual travelers and groups explore the US, Europe and Asia. A number of years ago, Kate had stroke and had to re-learn how to walk, type and drive a car. With a mobility handicap, she became aware that travel was “different” for people with physical challenges. One of her missions has become to share the knowledge accumulated after 20 years of traveling the world as a mobility challenged person. Kate DeLosso is a Certified Travel Counselor, Special Interest Travel Specialist and an Accredited Cruise Counselor and founder of Kate DeLosso Travel. She has lived and worked in Chadds Ford since 1999.

Hank’s Place celebrates anniversary

Local News, Local News Birmingham, Local News Chadds Ford, Local News Kennett, Local News Pennsbury, Local News Pocopson

It’s been a year since Anthony and Katie Young bought Hank’s Place from Peter and Voula Skiadas. To celebrate the anniversary, the Young’s are planning a celebration for Friday, May 11, 367 days after the sale was official and one year to the day of their reopening.

The celebration will run all day that Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. with customers getting free coffee and cake. It’s the Youngs’ way of saying thank you.

As with most businesses, the first year of operation has been a learning experience. Anthony said he’s learned to not take himself too seriously, while Katie said she’s learned that every day is different and that she can’t let the everyday stress get to her.

They absolutely agree on at least one thing: “The best part of this year has been our clientele,” Anthony Young said. “They’re the kindest, nicest and most loving I’ve ever met in my 30 years in the restaurant business. They embraced us, and that’s refreshing.”

Katie Young added, “They come in as guests but leave as family. It’s been a wild ride but a good ride.”

She also said the celebration is just as much a thank you for the staff as it is for the customers.

“They’ve been helpful, and we’ve relied on their guidance. They’ve bailed us out quite a few times. It’s us [her and Anthony], but it’s all of us,” she said

When the Youngs took over the Chadds Ford landmark last May, the idea was to keep things the way they had been, and they’ve done that, but with some almost unnoticeable changes. Anthony Young said those changes include now buying hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken. Looking ahead, he said they’ll be looking to gradually bring in “gluten-friendly” and other healthier options, such as a beet and arugula salad, and more fresh fish.

And while Hank’s Place is best known as a place for breakfast and lunch, they’ll be looking to raise the visibility of dinners.

Hank’s Place, named after its original owner Hank Shupe, grew during the 26 years that Peter and Voula Skiadas owned it, and the Young’s want to build on that history.

“It’s a responsibility,” Katie Young said. “We’re the stewards of the tradition now. It’s people, community, art and good food.”

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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