Wings for Autism II....

Two years ago, our family learned of a very unique airport travel 'test drive' program 

called Wings for Autism. 

Created by Jennifer Robtoy Ryan of the Charles River Center, the program was designed to assist children (especially those with special needs such as Autism, sensory processing challenges, etc.) and their families in trialing airport travel from parking lot to plane and all steps in between. Having worked with a family whose Disney World travel plans were dismantled due to one of the children's inability to board a plane, Jennifer knew she needed to do something to help the children and their families. Wings for Autism is the culmination of her idea, with tremendous support from airport, airline, security and TSA personnel. The program, while founded in Boston, has since gone national, and is now being leveraged through major airports across the country. Wendy previously penned an article about our first experience with Wings for Autism for Bay State Parent (http://www.baystateparent.com/features/stories/Travel-Dreams--for--Autistic-Children-Realized-130778768.html) and we again participated in the November event to see how things have progressed.  While our kids love to travel/fly, we were happy to find that the Wings for Autism remains incredibly supportive and the personnel involved (JetBlue/United,  TSA, Logan Airport, Charles River Center) are so thoughtful that families should check with their local airport to see if a Wings for Autism event is scheduled. 

If not, contact Jennifer and she can help! :) 

Upon arriving at ticketing, families are met by a ticketing agent to help them get their tickets...

Once ticketed, families proceed through TSA security checkpoints...with support along the entire way.

TSA reviews all identification, asks questions, and prepares family members for the security checkpoint (bags on conveyor, shoes off, etc.

Members from the JetBlue team are available to answer questions and welcome families.

Once your gate is called...get ready to board! :) 

We board the plane and find a good seat.

Tony helps Abby with the seat belt...

While the boys figure out how to use the TV system located in the back of every seat on JetBlue. We prepare for snack (delivered graciously by JetBlue), visit the cockpit, and sit back and hang on the plane figuring out all the cool new gizmos and gadgets that are now on board since our last trip. JetBlue also delivered a BRAND NEW plane (never been flown commercially) for this event. It was so clean and beautiful...you could eat off the floor! :) 

Our globe trotters...ready for their next adventure/trip...but what they don't know is that it is already booked...and they are going to LOVE it! :)