TRAVEL & T1D

Strategies for Traveling with the Diabetes Dragon

Travelling can be stressful for anyone. Travelling with a child with diabetes can add additional pressure: If my child has a low blood sugar, will we have access to low treatments? What if we run out of diabetes supplies? What if we run into problems at the airport? Will they let me bring juice on board the plane? What if my child gets sick while we are away and blood sugars are out of control? Tasks that you may not worry about at home, even tasks that are second nature, can seem daunting when your routine is altered and you’re in an unfamiliar place.

But check your hesitation at the door, because a good life is lived in activity, in relationship, in moments of joy and adventure. And the great news is that with a little advance planning and preparation, a trip away from home can be enjoyable and low-stress… even with the diabetes dragon tagging along. We have traveled with our T1D son many times and had a blast, with very few diabetes-related bumps.

Articles about Diabetes and Travel

In this Traveling with Diabetes section, we’ve collected all the necessary information and tips for your family’s adventures away from home:

Before You Go suggests things to consider when planning your trip.
Packing Tips for Travel with Diabetes includes a printable Packing List for D-Supplies.
Tips for Air Travel includes info on navigating airports and airport security.
During Travel shares ideas on how to manage blood glucose levels along the way.
At Your Destination offers some tips and reminders to tame the dragon once you get there.

Also, for all of your adventures away from home, near and far, check out our article on Low Kits , outlining which take-along supplies will keep the diabetes dragon in its place when you’re out and about.

I sincerely hope the information on these pages helps you focus less on the dragon and more on life… Let’s dance!

Other Resources for Travel and Diabetes

These are a few of the resources that have been valuable to our family as we have traveled with the diabetes dragon within Canada and beyond. We hope this information helps you on your family’s journey!

The information below contains external links. Clicking on those links will take you to a different website outside of WaltzingTheDragon.ca. Waltzing the Dragon is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained on those websites.

Travel and Tourism Canada / Voyage et Tourisme is a Government of Canada website which offers a wide range of travel information on how to have a safe and enjoyable journey whether you are travelling in Canada or abroad, including trip planning, travel advisories, news bulletins, country information, passports/VISA’s, Tips on Travelling with Children and FAQ on Medical Matters.

Public Health Agency of Canada – Travel Health section / La Santé Des Voyageurs. This Government of Canada website offers information on a wide variety of public health topics, including travel health notices and travel vaccines.

International Travel Clinic (Alberta Health Services) located in Calgary, Alberta, offers travel-related health advice and travel vaccines. Similar travel clinics exist in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and in other provinces… contact your local provincial health authority for more information.

International Association For Medical Assistance To Travelers offers links to help you find a doctor abroad in a number of countries around the world. It also has links to embassies and consulates in Canada, the UK, and the US, as well as other essential travel health resources.

I sincerely hope the information on these pages helps you focus less on the dragon and more on life… Let’s dance!