I have lived with a symptomatic connective tissue disorder, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), for four decades. My journey brought me through surgeries (Tethered Cord, styloidectomy, C1 resections to open my internal jugular veins, Chiari decompression, and craniocervical fusion) requiring travel from my Montana home to the heart of New York. Eight of the trips required I have a companion accompany me for surgery. Family could not go. Those experiences led to -My Zebra Companion, a company offering both surgical companion and medical travel services. You will find the following:

* Initial consultation visits designed to gain information and details that allow a draft proposal of travel logistics
Flights, rental car options, lodging needs, and special needs are all considered.

* Schedule required medical appointments
Surgeons may require pre surgical testing from neurologists, psychiatrists, ENT specialists, urologists, who understand conditions like EDS, HSD, POTS, MCAS, Eagle Syndrome, Chiari, craniocervical instability and more.

* Finalize travel reservations
By allowing My Zebra Companion to secure all needed travel logistics the patient can focus on getting better.

* Travel and/or surgical accompaniment
I offer to travel with the patient from home to hospital and back from the patient's home to surgical hospital and back.

* Provide a chauffeured rental car vs roll of the dice Uber experience while traveling from the airport to the hospital and to those additional medical appointments
Patients often times are sensitive to colognes, abrupt driving movements, and speed. I will transport as needed in a rental car.

*Provide grocery shopping, meal and snack prep based on dietary needs- if lodging includes a kitchen, pharmacy pickups, wash bedding pre- and post-surgery
Anything that is reasonable to aid in patient comfort, I am happy to assist.

*Provide required Surgical Companionship
I will maintain my presence at the hospital for the surgical procedure, being available for consultation with the medical team and providing updates to patient's family and friends.

* Feel supported by someone who gets it
Work with a travel and surgical companion who has been through it all herself. No need to go it alone - receive personalized, compassionate assistance.