Just because you live with an illness doesn’t mean that you should never not be able to travel and see some of the world. Yes, it means that things are going to be a little trickier for you, but it shouldn’t stand in your way. Every condition is different and unique to each person – no one is a textbook this or a textbook that. And everyone requires different levels of help, medication, equipment and so on. There are things linked to illnesses that might stop you from traipsing through the rainforest or climbing Kilimanjaro, but taking a trip to another country shouldn’t be out of your reach.
Multiple Meds
This also goes for any equipment you might need like feeding tubes or ostomy bags. Always carry twice what you’ll need and split it between two bags. If you’re travelling with someone, have half the stuff in one suitcase, and the second half in the other. That way if one gets lost or damaged, you have the other one to fall back on.
Permission
No matter where you go, make sure you have all the relevant notes from your doctor explaining the meds you have and why you need them. You might not have to explain yourself, but if you’re traipsing through airport security with fifty plus tablets rattling around your bag, they might grow a little bit suspicious, and without viable proof, you could end up being detained.
Travel Insurance
Most people have it as a matter of course when going travelling, however, you might need to be paying a bit more than the average joe. And you need to make sure that your insurance is going to cover the cost of shipping any equipment you might need, and not just covering the cost of the items themselves. Going for a higher band will always work in your favour here.
Travel Companion
If you’re travelling alone, it might be worth hiring a medically trained travel companion for your flights. There are no hospitals in the sky, and it’s sod’s law that if anything were going to happen, it would be when you had zero access to medical help. Evac international is one company who offer a travel companion to see you from A to B. If you don’t need or want a professional, then make sure you contact your flight company to ensure that the hosts are properly briefed on what to do in an emergency situation and that they deem you fit for travel.
Providers
A lot of equipment people get comes from a third party provider, and not sent through a doctor or hospital. In these cases, you’ll need to notify them of where you’re going and make sure that they are able to get any items to you if you should need them.
Leave a Reply