It Has Begun

Aerial view of Penang Bridge's middle span
Aerial view of Penang Bridge’s middle span.

Pre-travel anxiety is not a nice feeling. As the day draws nearer, the jitters become more intense. Clothes and toiletries are strewn all over Wuan’s house. Everything is in a state of disarray. I have an inkling of what I need to take along but where do I begin? How many of each item do I need?

Aerial view of somewhere between Penang and Kuala Lumpur
Aerial view of somewhere between Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

The primary concern is whether I can survive the initial six hours and forty minutes journey from Kuala Lumpur to Narita without my diapers leaking. How many trips do I need to make to the cramped toilet on the small aisle chair in between? Questions, questions. And why am I not taking it one step at a time?

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

10 thoughts on “It Has Begun”

  1. I know it’s scary. I think you should think in small parcels of activity. If you must go to toilet every two hours on the plane then you must. Did the airline give you the strategic aisle seat near enough to the toilet? Some airlines make sure that the seat next to you is empty. If you contact your travel agent or better still the airline, then inform them what are your every needs, I am sure they will try to accommodate them. Here’s hoping, and wishing you a good trip!

  2. LecturerUM,
    It is an early morning flight. If I need to go to the toilet so often, I will be arriving in Tokyo all worn out. I will reconfirm my special requests again tomorrow – special diet, aisle chair and a convenient seat. Thank you for your advice. 😀

  3. literally translating from cantonese “one road smooth wind” 🙂 reach there safe safe, come back safe safe!

    perhaps u could also request for a personnel to help you when u touchdown in narita (and make sure that fella can speak english!)

    take care ya, will miss u

  4. erizabesu,
    Thank you for your good wishes. Between the three of us participants, there are two personal assistants accompanying us. The host will be picking us up from Narita. That should not be a problem.

    allison,
    I hope I come back in one piece too. Thank you.

    suanie,
    Muaks! I will find one your size. Want onot?

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