What an AMAZING day!

Two months ago Josiah was extremely self injurious, aggressive and destructive.  His quality of life was deplorable. His future at best, looked bleak.

This morning, he boarded a plane.

Josiah checked his baggage, secured a boarding pass, breezed through security, walked a very long way towards the gate, rode an electric cart, waited in the boarding area, walked through the plane, buckled his seat belt, enjoyed a snack on board and even visited briefly with the pilot in the cockpit before deplaning.

I’m still stunned it even happened.  Without the videos and pictures to prove it I might not believe it myself.

The Arc of Texas, United Airlines, the Houston Airport System and TSA joined forces to to provide a real-life simulation of air travel for families with children with Autism and other intellectual disabilities.

These phenomenal folks greeted us with incredible warmth and compassion. Everyone from those who kindly welcomed us at the Registration table to the very accommodating TSA agents to all the friendly United Airlines employees along with each and every one of the volunteers scattered throughout the airport were top notch.  It was clear they went above and beyond to create an amazing adventure for us all.

There were photographers taking pictures throughout the cabin, flight attendants stopping by to chat or answer questions and videos available to watch on the screens at our seats.

We listened as the captain made announcements pertaining to the weather in Houston and updated us with ‘flight’ details, watched the safety presentation and even stowed Josiah’s carry on in the overhead bin.  Everything about our experience was so realistic, I’m optimistic we could one day take Josiah on an actual flight, not something I would have ever imagined prior to today.

After the simulation, we headed to baggage claim.  It required a few escalator trips and a short ride on the below-ground Subway train. Josiah was a trooper through it all and even sweetly reached out to hold hands with a total stranger on the subway who just happened to be a high school teacher for children with disabilities.

At the end there was a reception for all participants with food, drinks, dessert and small souvenirs to commemorate the day. Employees and volunteers mingled with the families, taking pictures and sharing stories.

To say we walked away impressed is an understatement. It was such a blessing to rehearse air travel surrounded by families with similar challenges. Even with Josiah wearing his bulky batting helmet/face mask the entire time, we fit right in and felt like we belonged.

If you have a child with an intellectual disability, check out Wings for All and be sure to sign up right away.  https://www.thearc.org/wingsforautism

I promise it will be the smoothest flight of your life.