Born in Y2K with Spina Bifida, I'm now a disabled 13 year old girl who uses leg braces and a wheelchair part-time. My parents are divorced.This Christmas holiday, I will be flying solo from Los Angeles to Denver to see my father. I'm probably not as frequent of a flyer as most of you here are, but.I'm comfortable about finding my way around an airport.
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Many of you will think I'm silly, but the only thing I'm worried about.is my new wheelchair getting ruined. A few years ago, my wheelchair was checked in as baggage and it arrived at the destination airport with a pronounced dent. This time I'm adamant about bringing it to the cabin with me. Here are my questions:
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1. Can my wheelchair be treated as a stroller in the cabin? My wheelchair size is 14'' (this is between the size of a child and adult wheelchair)
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2. If the above is disallowed and there is not enough space in the cabin (which is likely admist the holidays), may I disassemble it and put some parts in the overhead and some parts under the seat in front of me?
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3. If I hire a wheelchair pusher at the airport, am I expected to be seated at all times? I don't want to be disrespectful.
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Are there other young wheelchair users in this forum? Do you find the airport wheelchairs uncomfortable? I find them very big and difficult to maneuver...this is another reason why I want to use my own. Another reason is possible delay-- I wouldn't want to be confined to a clunky chair while strolling around.
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Sorry for the essay and numerous questions. Thank you if you got this far. Would really appreciate answers to these questions or better alternatives of handling a wheelchair.
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Got to go to school now.

Anna x