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TO:  My fellow PD's (maybe not in spirit but in disease)

I need to tell you this tale for me to get it out, not necessarily to have
you respond or even understand.
I was invited to New Hampshire by friends for a rest of 2 yrs of changes,
flight from Elkhart, Indiana  to Manchester, New Hampshire was uneventful.  I
stayed for a week and headed back to Indiana on Friday, June 10 flying a well
known Airline that I will name after I talk to the CEO, on their position.
My first flight out of Manchester was late, making me miss my connection in
Newark, NJ.  They had advance notice that I needed a wheelchair to get to the
next gate on the other side of the airport which was not there.  It seemed to
be a hinderance to get one and the person pushing was having a conversation
with someone I could not see.  They were discussing a picture of a fire and
if this person had taken the photo.
Like I stated I missed my connection in Newark to Cleveland.  The next flight
to Cleveland was the one I was booked on this one was delayed due to a light
that would not light.  Yes the thing that it was attached to had to work and
was but we needed that light, I understand.  I started flying at 10:05AM EDT.
from New Hampshire.  I asked at each leg of this adventure to preboard due to
using a cane.
Was told that was fine but had to remind them each time.  One time they
completely forgot and I had to battle the crowd, which don't care if you walk
or not.
They no longer have meals on the flights so I was having a problem finding
things to eat.  Need to eat after some of the meds.  O'hare I found best to
get a light something to eat OH that is later.
I finally got to Cleveland, OHIO.  I kept telling my hosts I did not want to
go to Cleveland.  Over and over was my lament.  But Cleveland is a hub city
of this particular Airline.  I orginally started with a 4 hr layover in
Cleveland but due to missed flights, hobbling to gates etc, I had about 1 hr.
This was a trek from Concourse C to B opposite sides of the airport (Why are
they so far apart?) I had not been able to take my meds, I was hot, tired and
upset.  But I had done so well this whole week.  I was right "on".  While
standing in line at the check-in I found out my flight from Cleveland had
been delayed.  Twenty minutes later the flight was cancelled.  Due to
weather.  I looked around and not a cloud or problem appeared.  I felt it
coming, but I could not stop any of it.  Standing in line, I mentally went
away.  A wonderful young woman, her husband and daughter together asked if I
was OK.  She took a hold of my arm, took me out of line, set me down, and
asked if I was diabetic (I could only nod), I couldn't get out the fact I had
Parkinson's.  My Tremors had gone crazy.  I was shaking so violently that it
was hard to hold my ticket.  They gave me juice, candy and something in a
tube called glucose.  Told me they first thought I was drunk or needed a
drink and then realized that something else was wrong due to the color of my
skin, plus the fact of the cold, clammy touch.  The Airline representative
commented that she was going to get to me next.  TOO LATE
An ambulance was called, Perimedics put me in ambulance, and took me to a
hospital due to the fact that my blood pressure was dangerously high and my
blood sugar was so high.  They kept saying something about my heart and
wanting to give me Nitro.  In my confused state I cannot remember what they
said.  I will call hospital and have them tell me.
Nice little hospital, close to airport.  Doctor was very busy, say him only
very briefly but was hooked to D5 to lower everything.  I told them I needed
something to eat to take meds which I was allowed to use my own was given a
snack that was wonderful.  I was treated to a 6hr stint there with various
nurses visiting, sitting on my bed and talking, a wife of another Emergency
Room guest bringing her chair over to my cube and sitting with me.  I do have
a way with some people of being there for them and putting them at ease.  Two
ladies from the airline brought me Vouchers to go to a Hotel that night what
was left of it, to stay the night, Taxi Vouchers, and meal vouchers.  They
finally arrived after 3 hrs of promises that the vouchers were on there way.
Remember the Airport is very close to the Hospital.  I was finally released
and got a cab.  The young man was very rude to start but I just wanted to get
to a room, take a shower and rest.  He refused to take my travel voucher due
to the fact he picked me up at the hospital and not the airport.  So I paid
him.  Got into Hotel and asked for my room and was told I did not have a
room.  The real confusing part was they had my luggage.  Why did it go there
if I had no room?  I cracked, crying, I called home to rant, when the hotel
staff person said they had a room at the other hotel for me and a shuttle to
take me.  I ended up 25 minutes away from the airport now and not 5 minutes,
1:30 AM no food (I had some trail mix luckly) and so upset I could not get
right to sleep.  I had about 4 hrs sleep, ordered breakfast that cost $11.23
when the voucher was for only $8.00, and I ordered just a basic no frills
breakfast.
Got a shuttle, just for me to the airport for the flight the Airline had put
me on.  Which the Airport was a zoo, then I got to the check-in and again my
flight was cancelled due to weather (South Bend nor Cleveland had a weather
problem, I checked).  The next( 12:00)  flight was cancelled (Feeling like
the "Out-of-Towner).  They had put me on a 1:45 PM flight on another airline
to Chicago O'Hare now.  This flight had been schduled to leave at 12:03 now
was leaving at 1:45 PM, I felt that this would end up like the other flights.
 I went up to the counter, placed my ticket up there and said I am very ill
and I need to get home now.  She looked at me and agreed so booked me on the
1:30 PM flight to Chicago as I wanted to travel with the couple that had been
there for me. This flight was delayed.  We got to Chicago O'hare with no
problems.  No Wheelchair again, they called for one but it never came.  No
Electric Cart either and I was so scared that I would miss the next and final
flight.  From D Concourse to B Concourse walking with my cane but I made it
with time to spare.  Also, found a little stand and got some water, and a
lunchable to eat to take meds.  This flight was delayed once not due to
weather but something else.  Oh yes the flight never came.
I finally got to South Bend, Indiana (Notre Dame Fame) with one piece of
luggage with the other piece coming 20 minutes later.
This is a Nightmare that wouldn't end.  I am beat physically and emotionally.
 I lack the faith that I did have in myself.  I know many will say don't
travel alone, but I am new at this.  I have always been fiercely independent
and now have to confront my limitations.
I just needed to get this out and thanks for understanding.

gina