5. Three cheers for Qantas!

Being one to naturally push myself to fit everything possible in I had decided to work right up to the day we flew out. Finishing work at 0700 hours, I was now officially on eight weeks annual leave and both excited out of my mind and totally exhausted!! Three hours sleep post a 12 hour night shift, was just enough to get me through the final day of chores, packing and at the airport with time to enjoy the Qantas lounge and a few champagnes before we boarded our 10.55pm flight on the QF009 to Dubai. Whoop whoop!!!

Overall most things were organised and it really was a matter of just finishing the packing, dropping our very spoilt Staffy at her 'Aunts' and doing the final check of our house before we jumped in the cab. We had listed our home on Air BnB and for anyone heading away for more than a week or two we would so thoroughly recommend taking the time to clean up, pack up important personal items and enlist the help of a cleaner or friend to be your 'caretaker'. Of the eight and a half weeks I was away we managed to have it booked for what totaled seven weeks all up! What luck!



Coming off two night shifts proved to be a brilliant idea, as I slept so well on the plane to Dubai, aided by the champagne of course and then slotted in to the European time zone fairly quickly. Sure I was super tired, but other than movies, sleep is the perfect pass time on a long haul!

Packing was a funny final chore and despite having an allocated 30kg for the long haul flights, our two internal flights meant we would have a 20kg restriction when we flew from Venice to Dubrovnik in week five. I had formed a pile of 'possibles' to take and at 6 pm that night I was down to culling. Dickey was convinced I could not fit everything in but the challenge was accepted, the zipper was secured and the final weigh in was gold! We had managed 23 kg in each case. Close enough!! While I was worrying about shoes, clothes, books and toiletries, Dickey had to worry about the added weight of his 'personals'. Calculating he had enough self care products to get him through 10 weeks away as well as the space and weight to carry them. Being a para or quadriplegic is most certainly not just about losing the ability to walk it is so many other factors, that are very often more frustrating or debilitating. The positive was that as the time away lengthened his stocks would depreciate... less weight, or possibly more space for shopping!

We were lucky enough to have gotten hold of some Qantas International Lounge passes and it was the perfect way to kick off our trip away. Comfortable, clean and quiet facilities, great food and a good wine list to get us winding down and ready to relax.

The Qantas A380 and the entire Qantas experience was just brilliant and we had the most epic trip over. Everything was seamless and easy and totally exceeded our expectations. Like many people with mobility restrictions you come to expect confusion, disruption, panic and ignorance. But there was none of it. The staff always spoke directly to Dickey rather than look over his head and talk to me (insert frustrated scream here!). They were aware that he would need bathroom access during the flight at some point and when giving us our welcoming brief insisted he call them ANY time he needed help or to move during the flight. In almost all cases we are the first on and last off the plane, so get used to waiting. It also means we often get to know the crew as they tend to have time to chat more. The QF009 crew on April 21st 2016 were just awesome!

We were taken to our seats and found we had the middle row to ourselves, at 5'4 I now had my own little bed in economy!! I was stoked while poor Dickey had to get his head around having to sit up with minimal ability to move and no independence for the next 14 hours. He kept assuring me it was worth it to be able to experience this dream trip away. Next surprise was being delivered first class champagne, in glasses!! Total bliss!! A fabulous friend who is cabin crew for Qantas had managed to pass a message on to one of the QF009's crew and as a birthday surprise for us both had asked for Champagne to be delivered. We were pinching ourselves with excitement!

I never intended to harp on about Qantas so much in this post, but they were truly that good. When needing the bathroom they had the aisle chair ready for Dickey in minutes without fuss and headed down to the facilities. What most people likely don't realize is that the two middle toilets on the A380 have an alternative door configuration that can be opened out in to the walk way, creating a wider, accessible space. It is such a welcoming and brilliant change to flying. Sitting for so long we were also a little worried about pressure care. In the wheelchair he sits on a special pressure care cushion. Due to the thickness is was not practical to use it in the plane seat but we had managed to source a square piece of lambswool and this proved to be an extremely valuable purchase. No pressure issues for the entire trip!

With movies, surprisingly good food, lots of napping and no ear popping due to the difference improved air pressure on the A380 we landed in Dubai early on the morning of the 22nd April. With no issues we were helped off the plane and with a collective exhale of breath Dickeys wheelchair was delivered to him and he regained his independence. Those hours apart are stressful, but all was well and we were ready for our first stop - 24 hours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.