Overcoming the Fear of Flying
Just a short post today between “trips”. Last Thursday I arrived home after a week in California with my “Aspies”. We journeyed West for a church conference. Four days of mingling with thousands of folks from our church was quite a social experience. I gave my girls the choice to go or stay home. They chose to go. Flying across the country for the first time was a “scary” new thing. Before we left I built up the experience and tried to explain what all would happen so there would be no surprises. I let them pack their own bags (When they weren’t around I did a little re-packing 🙂 My 16 years packed mostly sensory toys and her weighted blankets and pillows. 🙂 We had a talk about how limited our luggage was so the blankets (except for a tiny one) stayed home. She could choose two sensory toys, ( a squish ball and a little plastic thing she could bend in all directions) It was a good trip!
Today my 21 year old and I are flying to Managua, Nicaragua for a week long mission trip in the jungle with a medical mission team of around 65. My 21 yr old will be handing out hot ramen noodles and popcorn to thousands of very poor nationals who walked and rode busses from villages all over the country for free medical, dental, spiritual, food and clothes etc. She is so excited about this opportunity and I believe she will do fine.
I am so ready for a break from my daily responsibilities. It will be hot, hard work but can’t think of anything more rewarding or spiritually renewing. I come home from these trips tired but so refreshed. What I see in the poor villages of Nicaragua makes me realize that my load at home isn’t quit as heavy as I thought.
Do you have any problems flying in planes?
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wow this is so weird.
i used to have a HUGE fear of flying.
my first flight was from connecticut to washington d.c and that wasn’t so bad.
but then i flew from new york- california my first time from coast to coast.
i was a little freaked out. but i conquered my fear.
i would never be able to fly alone though. i have been diagnosed with aspergers (not too sure if I actually have it) and anxiety disorder.
=]
what air service plane thing did you fly?
i flew southwest. we got to choose our seats. i was afraid though because on the way back i couldnt sit near my parents. but i sat in the middle of them. one in front the other in back of me.
=/
That’s good you were able to get her up in the air and free from her fear.
My problem is that I fly airplanes and so anytime someone else is at the controls…it’s hard. I hate flying when I cannot see the instruments or be within reach of he controls. So I avoid airliners and all that at all cost…which leads to long drives in which I see much of the country.
My brother has Autism & adores riding planes. I guess because he’s always like that sort of stuff. While boarding we had to use headphones on him because of the loud noise though.
I used to be terrified of flying, but I’ve been dating a pilot for a few years now, and he’s mostly gotten me over it. I love being in little Cessnas, listening in on the radio and playing co-pilot. Sometimes big planes still scare me though
slightly uneasy during landings…
don’t think i have =P
I would rather drive the 18 hours from here to PA in my truck than EVER fly again, even if it is just a few hours in the plane. My ears HURT for days afterward. Also, it gives me time to adjust to the change in climate, altitude and everything else that is different between Florida and Pennsylvania. It’s only a small difference, but to someone who can feel the change in air pressure just by opening the front door to the apartment, it seems huge.
One of my dreams though is to visit Ireland and Scotland… so I guess I’ll have to endure a plane unless they still have transatlantic passenger ships… that could be interesting. I like boats and the ocean…I think I would try a short cruise first before committing to something like that though… as if I’ll ever have the money to do it, right? LOL
I’m usually good at take off and during the flight. It’s the landings where I’m most nervous. I’m always wondering if they have the gear down.
I did a bit of traveling last year and twice, that meant getting on a plane and going out of state. I was terrified, crying in my seat, trying to hide under my jackets hood, and pulling my hair or hitting my head on the window. That was the first time I flew, and I hadn’t flown in like over a decade. The next time wasn’t so bad, no crying but definite anxiety attacks. And the person next to me kept touching me. That was a bother. I’m sorta used to it but my preferred mode of transportation is driving there my own damn self.