Field Trip to Madrid!!!

We were told to report promptly by 8:45 on Wednesday morning to load up and head out to the Atlanta Hartsfield airport for plane practice. Now, please know that this was only our second morning together with our new routine, so I had some real fear that we’d miss the bus entirely. Somehow, we rolled up right on the dot. David and the 4 other Shepherd patients rode in the bus with the staff and a nurse with a carryon suitcase full of every medical supply any of us could possibly need; the 6 care partners went in a big van. 

Shepherd Center is all about independence. They WANT their families to travel and live life to the fullest and given their prominence and longevity in Atlanta, it is no surprise Shepherd has deep connections with other Atlanta institutions, including Delta. Every month there isn’t a government shutdown that affects TSA staffing, Shepherd takes a group of their patients & caregivers to the airport to show us how navigate TSA, boarding, and flying as a family who has someone with a spinal cord injury. Two TSA agents met us, told us about TSA Cares (a service anyone who needs extra help getting through security can request in advance), and walked us through the security process. Once we made it to our gate, Unifi staff expertly helped David & the others get on board the Delta plane as the very knowledgeable Shepherd staff looked on, giving us pointers so we’d know for the future. Delta’s two chief resolution officers (did you know that every airline has one at each airport in case you have problems? All you have to do is ask for one), plus 3 flight attendants who volunteer their time each month to do this with Shepherd families, told us our rights under federal law as well as some pro tips about how to make sure we get the help we need when we fly home. Invaluable. 

Delta had us use a plane at an international gate because they tend to stick around a bit longer in between flights, so one of the group members decided we were flying to Madrid. No doubt the food and wine would have been better than what we got at the airport after we deplaned, but riding the trains, getting lunch, and just navigating the airport were probably more useful. 

While I took off Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to get us settled in our little apartment on the garden, Thursday was back to work for me. I’m so thankful for UsAgainstAlzheimer’s flexibility, understanding and patience as this

process continues forward. It wasn’t an easy day but Friday (today) went more smoothly. I’m hoping that as David and I get into our routine through mid-June, it will all be a bit more straightforward and feel a bit more normal. 

While David has become friendly with different people during his time here, I’ve only gotten to know one family who arrived at the same time we did in February. Dylan and his parents Kristi & Steve (@team_bounceback on Insta) are good people and through them, this week we’ve met other patients & care partners who have been here around the same amount of time as David. This week’s Tuesday night family dinner (where bingo is played) and the airport field trip helped us get to know them a bit better - for which I am so grateful. Many in this group went to the airport with us, we now eat lunch with many of them, and now we’re planning a Memorial Day potluck. 

Tonight David and I had dinner in our apartment and watched the Nats game on TV. We figured that was probably what we would have done had we been home - pretty damn close to whatever the hell normal is or was. Saturday (tomorrow) is our Nats game - hoping the rain holds off and the cab I had to pre-order today actually comes to get us (and bring us back!). 

One week to Babycat! See you then and thanks for hanging with us! 

Love, Erika & David