If she is still struggling with ambulation (walking under her own power) she will be required to sit in a disabled seat away from exits and such. Her rights under ADA and the Air Carrier Access Act require that the airline be notified at least 24 hours prior to departure. If you do not make this notification, until the last minute, she loses her ACAA rights.

Some airlines are better than others. Read up on the ACAA so you knwo how to protect her rights.

btw, Southwest tries to limit these rights because of their no-assigned seating policy. ACAA give her "bump" privileges. That means, she has access to any seat on the plane that she can meet the qualifications for. She can bump VIP's. This does not get her an upgrade unless the airline wants to offer it to help her with her needs.

At the TSA checkpoint, she will be ahead of the game by being in a wheel chair. Ask for assistance with an airport wheel chair. There are usually wheel chairs ate the entrances. Have her sit in one and start pushing her and someone usually shows up to help her. Some airports have electric carts that they will drive you to the gate in.

Take ear plugs and even head phones ( I used both early on), sun glasses, some pain/head ache meds and even some diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to keep her ears clear. Ask her doctor if the Benadryl is OK for her.

Be prepared for her to have a rough time after the flight. The extended period at 8,000 foot cabin altitude can cause her to be very tired and need time to recover.

Ask the airline if you can get a courtesy pass to the VIP lounge to wait for her flight. This will get her away form the noise and confusion.

If they will accommodate you and there is a jetway to board the plane, ask if she can board last. The commotion of the others getting seated and the risk of getting hit in the head by the carry-on luggage as it flies by will be avoided. This is an especially good way to board if she sits up front .

I'm confused. Did she need to relearn to walk due to neurological damage or from the broken bones? If it is the former, then take every precaution possible. If the latter, she should have less struggles other than negotiating the walk to the plane.

Let us know how it goes.

My best to you.