Travel & MG: MGA Executive Director Reflects on Navigating MG while Traveling

By Allison Foss

When I first started my role at the MGA some-five-years ago, I was speaking to a support group and a question was posed about how myasthenia gravis impacts travel. I recall responding, “Of course, you can travel!”

Following the meeting, I received feedback that my answer was not an adequate response to the patient's question. Since then, I have thought about that conversation numerous times and have tried to be more specific in my response in whatever question may be asked of me. We are always learning, right?

And, oh, what I have learned about travel and myasthenia gravis in the last eleven months. As my MG turned more aggressive last February, I was actually sitting at the side of a hospital bed pondering just how in the heck I was going to catch a flight in 2 days. I have tried to not let MG stop me for the last 35 years and I wasn’t about to let it stop me now.

Equipped with a dear friend and registration on the airline’s website for special services, I safely landed at my destination last February. What I learned were some very important tools that are available to you if you are impacted by a disease, especially one that wreaks havoc on your muscles, respiratory and nervous systems, making life a bit unpredictable.

For this particular trip and most of the trips I’ve taken in 2022, I have utilized wheelchair assistance through the airlines. As a patron, you are able to select if you want the wheelchair from gate to gate or just assistance when getting on and off the plane. This can easily be done by getting on the airline website and checking the box, for requesting special services. I would recommend doing this at least 1-2 days in advance. Shout out to American Airlines, my preferred carrier who has come through with 5 stars on this!

Additionally, because I now have a portable ventilator in tow and move rather slowly due to limited lung capacity, the wheelchair assistance has become an invaluable service which has allowed me to continue to enjoy one of life’s pleasures like travel. With this assistance you are assigned to a worker who gets you and your bags to the gate in plenty of time to catch your flight (that is, as long as you get to the airport in plenty of time).

In my experience, this service also ensures that you have support going through customs and security so if lines are long and you can’t stand, you have the wheelchair to rely on. For the most part, the workers I have encountered have been extremely friendly and helpful.

As a culture, we have become so fixated on what we "can’t” do and while traveling with MG can look complicated, it can be done. Always keep your mind open to being flexible to accommodations and giving up some control. I will not lie and say this has been an easy decision to swallow. I fear the people that stare and gawk at those being pushed in wheelchairs through the airport, however; I am well aware that if I want to to continue to live and explore, this is an accommodation I will need to make.

MG will never stop me.