Passport to Possibility

Traveling With Confidence as an Amputee What if every new thing you accomplished earned you another stamp-not just in your travel passport, but in your confidence passport? Solo flight to Chicago, O’Hare Travel has always been a big part of my family’s life, but traveling as an amputee has been an evolving journey. Seven years into life as an amputee, I’m still learning something new every time I walk into an airport. And with every experience, I become a little more confident in what I can handle. Recently, I took my second solo trip, flying to Chicago and doing something I’d never done completely on my own before: renting a car, navigating the rental process, driving to my destination, carrying my own luggage, returning the car, and getting myself back through O’Hare. Then came the real test: a three-hour delay, three gate changes, crowded terminals, weather issues, hunger, bathroom logistics, and hauling my luggage everywhere I went. Long corridors to get from point A to point B But I did it. In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about traveling with a prosthesis, from navigating TSA and understanding your rights to medical bags, prosthetic tools, wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, long airport walks, and preparing for the unexpected. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that, as amputees, energy is currency. A mile-long walk through an airport may not sound like much until you add luggage, standing in lines, gate changes, socket discomfort, fatigue, phantom pain, and everything you still want to do once you reach your destination. Sometimes independence means walking the airport yourself. Other times, independence means recognizing when using available assistance allows you to save your energy for what matters most. Rental car pick up late at night in a packed tram After several delays, I finally got on the plane for home! And now I’m preparing for my next stamp: international travel. This will be my first international trip since becoming an amputee. I’m thinking about cobblestone streets, crowded attractions, international accessibility, charging my microprocessor knee, adapters, and all the things I don’t even know I need to think about yet. That’s part of the adventure. Because ultimately, this episode isn’t really about airports or airplanes. It’s about confidence. Every “first” becomes another stamp: your first overnight trip, first flight, first TSA experience, first solo trip, first rental car, or first international adventure. Each one says: I did that. And maybe I can do the next thing, too. What’s stamped in your confidence passport? Think about everything you’ve accomplished since limb loss—and then think about the stamps you’re still missing. What’s something that still scares or intimidates you? What experience would give you more freedom, independence, or confidence? Choose your next stamp and start working toward it. And make sure you come back for Part Two, because after my international trip, I’ll share what I learned about traveling abroad as an amputee—the victories, challenges, surprises, and everything I wish I’d known before I left. Let’s keep filling those passports together. Have a beautiful week, and Ill see you all in 2 weeks as we explore what I learned on my international journey! Until then and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,