5 Genius Items That Became Travel Essentials When I Was Experiencing Mobility Issues — From $20

I had never given much thought to the difficulties one could face when flying until I experienced some temporary mobility issues, leaving me nervous about traveling. It made nearly every aspect of travel more complex, but careful planning helped a lot. I researched accessible-friendly parts of town to stay in and considered everything that might happen on a flight. I soon realized that upgrading my carry-on with some simple accessories could take the worry out of flying with mobility issues. 

Below, I’ve gathered up the five mobility aids from Amazon that kept flying fun, comfortable, and safe for me. They empowered me to best take care of myself and avoid common travel problems people with different disabilities face. In addition to their usefulness, these travel essentials were compact and portable so I could pack light to make things easy on me (and those who would assist me). They quickly became mainstays in my bag for every flight when I had limited mobility, and have even received rave reviews from shoppers, too. 

Ezpik Folding Reacher and Grabber Tool 

When I first experienced limited mobility, I feared that I might drop something during a flight. If you can’t just hop up and grab what you drop, something as simple as dropping your phone can cause anxiety and leave you without essential tools and devices. The carry-on-approved Ezpik folding grabber was the perfect solution for me. If something fell, I could pick it up without even bending down. It made picking up things from the floor or the overhead bin easy and stress-free. 

In their review, an Amazon shopper pointed out that this reacher is “thoughtfully designed” and appreciated how it “folds up really small” to what they described as “purse-sized.” I also loved how the grabber tool expanded to 36 inches at full length and picked up things weighing up to 5 pounds. It was overall handy, and it gave me the peace of mind that comes with knowing I wouldn’t have to ask for help if I needed something out of reach. 

Mygreen Travel Document Organizer 

When you’re dealing with any kind of health issue, it’s crucial to have important health-related documents in your carry-on luggage so they’re available in case of an emergency. You’ll need to pack a copy of your prescriptions along with a list of medications you might need, a travel document that specifically outlines your specific needs, medical documents, and a variety of other papers. 

Once I gathered all the paperwork, I was immediately drawn to the Mygreen Travel Document Organizer. It helped me keep my documents in order and within easy reach. With multiple compartments, including an easy-to-grab mesh pocket, it kept everything separate so I could just reach for any specific document whenever it was needed. Also, this organizer is water-resistant, so I knew my documents would be safe even if water or another liquid leaked into my luggage. Additionally, I liked that it’s small enough to easily fit in a purse or backpack, and it has an anti-wear handle so it will hold up for many trips. 

Rehand Foldable Walking Cane 

While I had limited mobility, I tried to choose an airline seat as close to the front of the plane as possible, and I also tried to sit next to the plane bathrooms every time I flew. That way, I wouldn’t have to worry about too much walking during the flight. However, when I needed a little help walking longer distances around a plane, I found the Rehand Foldable Walking Cane extremely helpful. 

This walking cane has a comfortable, ergonomic hand grip, so I never felt it strain or hurt my hand even when I held onto it tightly. I am only 5 feet tall, so I appreciated that it adjusts to work for almost any height, and that it has a 350-pound capacity. It’s also easy to collapse when I am done using it and fits easily in my backpack. 

Kusshi Travel Train Case

I love everything about this Kusshi travel case. It’s shaped like a traditional train case, but it’s soft and flexible yet made with shock-absorbent neoprene to protect the things you store inside. I needed a case that was easy to grab and open in a hurry, and this fit all my wishes for a toiletry bag to carry while traveling with limited mobility. 

This well-designed case has three interior pockets, and I used one to put my small pill box in case I needed my prescription medication during the flight. The other two pockets stored other travel necessities like tissues, sunscreen, Chapstick, lotion, and mobility aids. One Amazon reviewer noted, “The layout makes everything accessible without having to dig around.” It simply made traveling easier and more fun for me.

Hugimals Heart to Hug Pillow 

Let’s face it: traveling while dealing with any level of limited mobility can get stressful, and it’s important to prepare to comfort yourself during a flight. When I would get anxious about what issues might come up next, I pulled my Hugimals heart-shaped, weighted pillow from my carry-on and hugged it on my lap. It discreetly soothed me a great deal, and I arrived at my destination feeling more relaxed and ready to take on my next adventure. 

The Hugimals pillow is only 12 inches wide, so it’s easy to hold while sitting in even a small plane seat. It weighs 5 pounds to provide deep touch pressure (DTP) to help people like me who are sensitive to sensory input. I appreciate the velvety softness of this plush pillow, and since it came in a protective, travel-friendly bag, it can be easily stored in my carry-on without getting damaged. 

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.