What happens when the prosthetic leg you depend on suddenly will not charge-thousands of miles from home?

In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I’m sharing the honest story of my first international trip as an amputee. Returning to Paris carried special meaning for me because my previous trip there in 2018 ultimately led to my decision to have an above-knee amputation. This time, I returned stronger, healthier, and determined to experience international travel with my prosthetic leg, but the journey still tested me in ways I never expected.

Security line in Charles De Gaulle airport

Waiting at gate to board plane home

Ugh! Got thru gate only to be held back for 15/20 minutes in a long line to board plane.

We got further back in line due to my son being chosen, at random, for a full bag check AT the gate!

Before leaving, I prepared for the long flights, airport security, possible swelling, phantom sensations, and everything I would need to care for my skin-fit socket. I packed my medical supplies, prosthetic charger, tools, cleaning products, electrical converters, and surge protector. What I could not anticipate was that plugging my charger into the hotel’s electrical system would blow the power-not once, but twice.

Although my prosthetic leg was not connected when the electricity failed, my surge protector was burned and blackened. Suddenly, I had no way of knowing whether my charger still worked. After going more than a day without charging my prosthetic knee, I found myself lying awake wondering how I would make it through ten days in France if my leg stopped functioning.

Our updated rig and the first time, in 4 days, that I was finally able to charge my leg!

In that moment, I had never felt more disabled.

With help from my prosthetist, my Össur representative, the hotel staff, and an electronics store in Paris, we found a safe European power strip and adapter. After three days without charging, I finally watched the green light come on. The next morning, my prosthetic was at 100 percent—and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude.

One time we had some rain, but some of the uneven brick roads we walked on all week long.

Huge day, seeing The Cure at Pagaille Festival in Bordeaux. A TRUE test of my ability to stand, in thick crowds for hours!!!

The trip also taught me important lessons about accessibility outside the United States. ADA standards do not follow us into other countries. I encountered cobblestone streets, restaurant bathrooms located in basements, showers without grab bars, large steps, slippery floors, and roadside toilets without seats. I had to use my balance, towels, creativity, and willingness to adapt.

Despite blisters and days ranging from 12,000 to 20,000 steps, I experienced Paris, Disneyland, Bordeaux, and everything this incredible journey offered. International travel as an amputee takes preparation, but it is possible.

Seeing the Mona Lisa (above), but when an attendant saw me she flagged me over and brought us in front of EVERYONE to get up close!

A great perk of being an amputee (below)!

If you are an amputee planning an international or domestic trip, reach out and share your questions with me. I would love to help you prepare, avoid the mistakes I made, and travel with greater confidence. You can do this, you simply need to prepare well and be ready to pivot.

Have a beautifully blessed day,

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,

What if every new thing you accomplished earned you another stamp-not just in your travel passport, but in your confidence passport?

Solo flight to Chicago, O’Hare

Travel has always been a big part of my family’s life, but traveling as an amputee has been an evolving journey. Seven years into life as an amputee, I’m still learning something new every time I walk into an airport. And with every experience, I become a little more confident in what I can handle.

Recently, I took my second solo trip, flying to Chicago and doing something I’d never done completely on my own before: renting a car, navigating the rental process, driving to my destination, carrying my own luggage, returning the car, and getting myself back through O’Hare.

Then came the real test: a three-hour delay, three gate changes, crowded terminals, weather issues, hunger, bathroom logistics, and hauling my luggage everywhere I went.

Long corridors to get from point A to point B

But I did it.

In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about traveling with a prosthesis, from navigating TSA and understanding your rights to medical bags, prosthetic tools, wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, long airport walks, and preparing for the unexpected.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that, as amputees, energy is currency. A mile-long walk through an airport may not sound like much until you add luggage, standing in lines, gate changes, socket discomfort, fatigue, phantom pain, and everything you still want to do once you reach your destination. Sometimes independence means walking the airport yourself. Other times, independence means recognizing when using available assistance allows you to save your energy for what matters most.

Rental car pick up late at night in a packed tram

After several delays, I finally got on the plane for home!

And now I’m preparing for my next stamp: international travel.

This will be my first international trip since becoming an amputee. I’m thinking about cobblestone streets, crowded attractions, international accessibility, charging my microprocessor knee, adapters, and all the things I don’t even know I need to think about yet.

That’s part of the adventure.

Because ultimately, this episode isn’t really about airports or airplanes. It’s about confidence.

Every “first” becomes another stamp: your first overnight trip, first flight, first TSA experience, first solo trip, first rental car, or first international adventure.

Each one says:

I did that. And maybe I can do the next thing, too.

What’s stamped in your confidence passport?

Think about everything you’ve accomplished since limb loss—and then think about the stamps you’re still missing. What’s something that still scares or intimidates you? What experience would give you more freedom, independence, or confidence?

Choose your next stamp and start working toward it.

And make sure you come back for Part Two, because after my international trip, I’ll share what I learned about traveling abroad as an amputee—the victories, challenges, surprises, and everything I wish I’d known before I left.

Let’s keep filling those passports together.

Have a beautiful week, and Ill see you all in 2 weeks as we explore what I learned on my international journey!

Until then and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,