Wheels For Life

Sorry to disappoint, but this blog is not about the fabulously risky and sexually charged novel by Erica Jong. No, the title simply refers to my actual fear of getting on an airplane.

In all my 27 years, I’ve never traveled by plane. If I have to travel far, I take a train or boat. I’m usually one of those people who is all about positive thinking and optimism, but when it comes to flying all that goes out the window. I’m basically a wreck.

In November, however, I will have to conquer my fear. I’ve been invited to speak at OCALICON, an autism and disabilities conference in Columbus, Ohio. It is an all-expense paid trip that was organized by OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence), and the hotel reservations and flight plans were taken care of for me. I am excited to speak at my first national conference, but the thought of making it there in one piece nearly overshadows the mission itself. What happens if the plane hits turbulence or the pilot loses control of the plane? Who would help me and how would I survive? I am afraid that I won’t be able to help myself.

I have read many of the statistics about how safe flying is compared to other modes of travel. According to the Bureau of Transportation, 1.73 million people fly each day. That’s 631,939,829 people in the air every year. The Bureau reports that the likelihood of a plane crashing is one in a million. I have images stuck in my head though, from television broadcasts of terrible plane crashes. The stories and pictures are so vivid that they make it hard to find comfort in the minuscule numbers.

I do believe that I will be able muster up the strength to travel despite my nerves. Thankfully, I will be flying with a dear friend, so I won’t be alone. I am hoping that once I have one positive experience on an airplane, my fear will diminish and I’ll be brave enough to fly more often. Until then though, my fear is firmly in place.