THE CHALLENGES OF TRAVELLING WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES
Last Updated on 21st May 2020 by Bejal
This months travel link-up topic is all about challenges, challenges which have been foreseen, faced or overcome. I have chosen to write about a topic that is extremely personal to me and share my quite frank experiences of living and travelling with the chronic condition, Type 1 Diabetes.
THE REALITY OF A DIAGNOSIS
Within a matter of days following my eleventh birthday, the stubborn little ‘nothing can beat me personality’ inside me literally saved my life. It woke me from a life-threatening coma faced with the diagnosis that I will have Type I diabetes for the rest of my life. There was and (despite a hell of a lot of research) still is no cure. The only way I would be able to manage the condition, would be with daily insulin shots.
My pancreas had stopped making insulin, which is required to regulate sugar levels in the body and there was no way on earth that it would ever work. For that matter, there was no way I would ever stop having Type 1 diabetes. I didn’t eat lots of sugar at all, I didn’t bring it upon myself, I was unlucky. I got the influenza infection and my body decided to turn against itself and attack my pancreas, hence why Type 1 diabetes is termed an autoimmune disease. Most people have their pancreas inside their bodies, I just happen to be able to show mine off plus it has a little bluetooth remote control! I mean how cool is that and seriously it’s no big deal!
But, upon receiving this diagnosis, you know what? I didn’t care, I was alive and the first question I asked my mum was if I could still go on my French trip scheduled for that Spring! I think it was evident then that I would always have a passion for travel and that absolutely nothing would get in the way of me living MY life how I wanted to! Infact I can quote my Diabetologist as saying, ‘Diabetes decided to pick on the wrong girl’! Ever since that day I have literally been trying to kick its ass and live the best possible life that I can by managing the condition, its trials and tribulations (boy, do they drop on you in abundance) and trying to follow my dreams and aspirations. But most importantly for me, I will never let it define the person I am, even though it is and always will be the greatest challenge of my life!
THE DAILY GRIND
Life on the daily involves, checking my glucose levels at least 6-8 times a day, if not more, then setting on the task of regulating them, treating hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia (lows and highs in glucose levels), counting carbohydrates, administering insulin via pump therapy, juggling snacks, meals exercise, disease related complications, coupling this with holding down a full-time job in clinical research and writing a blog! Honestly, I can say hand on heart that life is amazing! Yes, I said life is amazing. I know life no other way and well we all have different routines right? Well, this is mine. I just refer to it as carrying out a number of checks to make sure I feel OK. One thing’s for sure, when you work in Oncology research, patients tell you to make the most of everyday you are here! See, breath and feel it all because you will never know what will happen tomorrow, the day after or the day after that!
TYPE I DIABETES AND TRAVEL
Travelling is my saviour and diabetes is my life. The two have to be friends and I made a damn good job of introducing them to each other early on and now I’m happy to confirm they have an envious relationship!
I’m not going to attempt to sugar coat life or even travelling with diabetes, no pun intended!! Airports are very interesting when you are wearing an artificial pancreas or ‘pump.’ The whole security process is amplified! Everyone wants a glimpse of the little fella! Body searches are a given-I am always that person who by default gets selected to be searched along with all my entourage of baggage and medical documentation. My pancreas almost always goes through the explosives testing drill, which kind of loses its novelty when you travel as much as I do! Needles and sharps are removed from my possession on flights, a special diet is inflicted on me even though technically I can eat whatever I like because the pump mimics a pancreas! It’s difficult trying to explain in a foreign country that you can eat an entire dessert trolley and it would be fine! However, that would not be recommended diabetes or no diabetes!
Beach holidays are always interesting when those around you insist on gorping at the cannula they see sticking out of your bikini bottoms (tankinis and one-pieces are my go-to swimwear) and then the barrage of FBI-style interrogation! I mean just lock me in a room and shine a light in my face!! The final decent comes in the form of THAT ‘I feel so sorry for you’ look on their face! Listen up people, I know life no other way so I’m happy! Super happy! I can’t really say that enough! I always say that because travelling is my love, (second to my husband) I will work with the anomalies it brings and the havoc-causing time zones just become part and parcel of ensuring that my condition is well controlled. The fact that I’m a bit of a control freak also helps!!
ACHIEVING CHALLENGES LIVING WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES
I have always been one for desiring to or doing things out of my comfort zone, whether that’s been changing jobs, meeting new friends, travelling to remote locations, scuba diving (ticked that off) and skydiving (celebrated 25 years of Type I Diabetes throwing myself out of a plane over Lake Wakitipi, Queenstown)! or climbing Kilimanjaro (still to do) Challenges don’t have to be as crazy as some of mine but life is certainly more interesting promotes awareness of self-development if you! everyone is different.
Photo Courtesy: NZONE Skydive, Queenstown, New Zealand.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I am lucky, I knew that my greatest passion in life would be to see the world, In fact it’s a priority. Maybe having diabetes has made me go out there and try even harder to fulfil my dreams. I will always hope to maintain a positive attitude for the future as research is ongoing and opportunities are plentiful and they say, you do make your own destiny! But one thing’s for sure, I am one insulin junkie (you can read more about my diabetes on my post entitled, ‘Type 1 diabetes and the adrenalin-fuelled junkie‘) who will never give up on the positive attitude that I’ve been blessed with, the most amazing pinch-me moments I’m experiencing, and the prize-worthy individuals that have to put up with me (Dr C!). Just the other day, I think I found MY song, ‘this is me’ from The Greatest Showman!
For now, this is ME and I accept challenges positively, they provide us with a platform that enables us to grow, learn and develop.
I hope you enjoyed my frank post about my challenges of living with Type 1 Diabetes and fulfilling my hopes to travel. Please do feel free to drop me a comment below as I’m always up for a little chat! By the way if you fancy asking any questions about Type 1 diabetes, go for it! I would also be really interested in knowing what your challenges are and how you face or overcame them.
À Bientôt…
PIN FOR LATER
Binny
I LOVE THIS!! You go girl! People who go for their dreams despite having challenges is amazing and I know diabetes is no easy thing to deal with, especially when you go abroad and have the added issue of language barriers. This is really admirable xx
Bejal
BinnyThankyou Binny for your kind words, It is a challenge but I just wanted to show that despite it being a chronic condition you can actually do pretty much whatever you like! Glad you enjoyed it! x
Mostlyfoodandtravel
This is amazing! You definitely don’t let it get to you and I would have never known you have Type 1 diabetes. Glad you can speak about it too cause I am sure many don’t
Bejal
MostlyfoodandtravelThankyou for your kind comments! Yes a lot of people say that to me until they see my stash of diabetes related goodies in my purse!!
1dish4theroad
So inspiring to hear about your experiences and adventures, Bejal! All the best for your travels to come..
Bejal
1dish4theroadThankyou for stopping by! My passion is travel and I will do everything i can to fulfill my passion of seeing the world.
Angie Silver
That’s amazing that you haven’t let it hold you back!! Go you!!
Bejal
Angie SilverThanks Angie! I just wanted to get the point across that you can do almost anything with the condition. It’s a challenge but one that can be overcome!
Jaini
This is incredible & so proud of you for living your dreams. ????
Bejal
JainiAww thankyou so much Jaini, that is a lovely thing to say. So glad you enjoyed reading it.
richa mina
Nice post. That’s amazing the way you’ve lived up to the challenges thrown at you and excelled too.
Bejal
richa minaThankyou so much for reading Richa. Lovely comments from readers like yourself always inspire me and motivate me to just keep going.
Lara Olivia
I absolutely love this line: ‘Diabetes decided to pick on the wrong girl’! You have the best attitude, becuase eventually, life hands us all a shit sandwich, just some shits are bigger than others. You got a pretty big shit right there, but it’s not the biggest shit. You’re alive and kicking and not going to let anything hold you back. Much respect xx
https://missportmanteau.com
Bejal
Lara OliviaYou hit the nail on the head there Lara! I know life no other way and intend to live the one I have because frankly you never know tomorrow will bring! Thanks for reading.
Emily Ray
Wowee! You’re absolutely incredible! It’s so inspirational to hear people facing their fears (or challenges life throws at them) and doing it anyway.
Bejal
Emily RayAww Thankyou! Thankyou for your lovely comments. I’m just a normal person doing everything I want to do like everyone else but just happen to have a condition!
Laura
It’s so good of you to share your story and put it out there. You have such a great attitude and you can clearly see it has never stopped you from doing anything!
Bejal
LauraThanks Laura! I can’t wait to share more of my crazy and exciting ideas with everyone!
Follow Your Sunshine
Your positivity and approach to life is truly inspiring! I’m sure sharing your story is helping many people.
Bejal
Follow Your SunshineThankyou Polly! I hope it does inspire other people as every day is a challenge but we need them to push us and grow!
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
I adore that you haven’t let this hold you back – the world is yours!!
Bejal
Emma @ Adventures of a London KiwiThankyou Emma! I really a appreciate the encouragement.
the Curious Pixie
Bejal I love your positivity. Many people would not bother, but it hasn’t deterred your passion. I’m glad as there is so much of the world to see isn’t there fellow travel junkie?!
Bejal
the Curious PixieThankyou Sima! My attitude is life has dealt me something different, that’s all! I just have to adapt my life around it!
Jennifer Douglas
I just found your article and it’s amazing. I came upon it while searching for advice on traveling to Belize with my Type 1 son. I would love to talk to you and get some expert advice if you ever have the time. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Bejal
Jennifer DouglasHi Jennifer! Thanks for your message, that’s very kind of you to so say! I have just emailed you so please feel free to reach out as I myself returned from Belize last week! I’m always up for sharing experiences if it can help others on their journey. I will say that having Type 1 doesn’t mean you have to make compromises with everything.