I'd forgotten about that part.

In the UK I asked other passengers to help me, in Spain (as MJV is such a small airport) I asked the security staff directly.

I doubt I would have even traveled solo as I was too concerned about the obstacles and problems. My grandmother is getting quite old now and it's impossible to dismiss the idea that she won't be around if I postpone the trip further. When my husband had to cancel, this was what motivated me to go regardless (it helped that I found an uber-cheap replacement return ticket so I could cut the trip short.)

I didn't like the idea of being reliant on others and having to ask either. But the alternative was not to go at all. It turned out to be much more straightforward than I would have imagined. Nobody seemed to mind at all, and the journeys were particularly pleasant ones as I got to chat with most of those who assisted me. I know if my back was better I would be (and have been) happy to be helping someone in the same position. Flyertalk is full of people who genuinely like to spend a minute or two helping others. So is the real world.