Today decided to travel to the capital of the land below the wind (“negeri di bawah bayu”) – Sabah. Just got to know why it’s called land below the wind – because it lies below the typhoon belt of the East Asia and never really battered by any typhoons – fun fact.
The story today does not revolve about the trip to Kota Kinabalu (at least not this post) but the experience of traveling with Ruzain on a 2 hours 10 minutes flight there. It’s not even the flight itself – Ruzain was fine in the plane as both of us watched ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ throughout the flight with lunch and toilet breaks in between. Post toilet break was a bit annoying as took a while to get back to our seats – but rather not write about that experience.
Traveling is something that I have always enjoyed as an individual – it’s just fun to see the world, different cultures, sceneries, people – most times just a change of air. While it can be challenging to travel with a child on the autism spectrum, Ruzain has always been exposed to traveling via various modes of transportation from young. But like I mention, it can be challenging especially when he was much younger. Nowadays he is a bit calmer but his obsession with time can come in the way particularly when there is a flight delay – which is really beyond anyones control.
The trip to Kota Kinabalu would be the longest flight duration since post pandemic. Actually when he was much younger, did a trip down to London for 14 hours – come to think of it, how did I actually survive that – only God knows and simply, alhamdulillah.
A lot of times, the challenges doesn’t really happen when we’re up in the air – up there it’s usually just frequent toilet breaks, which he is able to control as he grew older. It’s really the waiting and transit at the airport that can trigger him a bit – the hustles of people around, unfiltered noises and the waiting – I don’t blame him, I get annoyed waiting too long as well. Who doesn’t?
But his reaction is like the wave of the sea (easiest analogy that came to mind as literally in a hotel room by the sea), at times can be strong and simply unpredictable. Coping with it can be a challenge and I’m sure parents in the same boat would understand.
The idea that small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system.
The Butterfly Effect
This time around took a chance to randomly explore “The Butterfly Effect” facilities and services provided by Malaysia Airports catered specially to accommodate and help passengers with hidden (or non-hidden), usually learning disabilities such as autism. Long before I heard about it when my good friend Anne, who was at that point of time the secretary of National Society Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) shared the launch of the project. The Butterfly Effect came together in collaboration between Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, NASOM and Autism Behavioural Center (ABC).
Honestly, did not put any expectations; all I knew there was a facility called the calm room in KLIA that could be a hangout place for Ruzain while waiting to board the plane – at least he could go on stimming and jumping comfortably without people giving us a stare. So just registered online for Ruzain and tried our luck.
After checking in the bags, followed the instruction to register and obtain the Butterfly Effect kit at the information centre, which includes the butterfly printed lanyard – the simple miracle key to the whole experience.
From there on, it was an unexpected experience. Firstly, there was a dedicated officer who accompanied us to the calm room and ensured we safely got in.
The “Calm Room” was a secured room with security lock ensuring only eligible individuals can enter located at the end of KLIA, which to me is good too as it is far from the crowd. The size of the room itself wasn’t too big but just nice and comfortable enough to chill and hangout. Inside there were a number of activities focused on sensory management available for individuals – both children or adults with autism or learning disabilities of which they can explore and enjoy. As a parent of a child with autism, I definitely know that these activities were designed to help structurally channel any sensory overloads for them.
Ruzain got himself comfortable in the room before starting to explore and enjoy the various checkpoints around the room at his own pace.
The most wonderful thing about the room was it was a safe place – where Ruzain can simply be who he is without anyone surrounding judging him. Just being himself without having to be conscious of his surrounding. People might think he isn’t sensitive to it where in actual fact he is – at least that’s what I observed for many years. He is rich with feelings.
Earlier when the staff dropped us off at the calm room, he asked what time we would like to proceed to the gate. I confidently mentioned 9.45am as on the ticket it mentioned boarding at 10.15am and I didn’t want to rush Ruzain to the gate.
At 9.45am sharp, the next staff on a duty, a lady I didn’t get to catch her name was waiting at the door ready to pick us up. She actually mentioned that it seemed pretty early but the naive me thought its quite a walk to the gate so should be on time. So we moved to the security check, which Ruzain got preferential treatment and was ushered to the lift. Usually we would just take the escalator down and start walking slowly to the gate. To my surprise, there was a buggy ready to chaffeur us to the gate. I was actually a bit overwhelmed at that point as wasn’t expecting it – never in my life I had gone on a buggy in the airport. Could not say no to the offer so hopped on the buggy and enjoyed the ride (Ruzain was definitely enjoying it – I was kind of embarrassed).
Obviously we got there early (just like the lady mentioned) and the gate wasn’t even open yet. So brought Ruzain for walk around to buy some gardenia breads for the trip. Then, we boarded the plane bound to Kota Kinabalu – already contented and happy with the whole experience in KLIA.
We landed in Kinabalu International Airport and I was just expecting to walk through the whole process like any other person but was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by an airport staff who quickly identified with us as “Wan Ahmad eh?” – our surname.
He (again – I was so in awe I forgot to ask his name) explained that he will be ushering and help us check out from the airport. It all started from bringing us through the premier lane for immigration, to waiting for our bags (literally helped prepare the trolly and carried our bags) and usher us out to our rented car. I was surprised beyond imagination – never felt so special in any of our journeys before. I could only smile and expressed sincerest appreciation, which is what I truly felt.
As I sat down writing this experience, I now realised how this special experience actually means a lot to families who has children with autism like Ruzain. For so many years, traveling preparation always meant being one step ahead anticipating what can go wrong, a game against time to ensure we get through it as quickly as possible with a radar keeping an eye on what’s happening with Ruzain, our surroundings or just cautious of what can happen. It’s always a relief to be able to get out of the experience smoothly – the moment we’ve reached our destination or at a safe space. While I seldom care about how people around look at us or judge us – it’s impossible not to notice at times. So there’s that.
Today was definitely an experience that showed kindness and love. Malaysia Airports – you the best, thank you and we love you.