Insulin dependent diabetics - any tips?

[Selket]

My son, age 2, has type 1 diabetes just recently diagnosed. I've made all my PS's for dinner at 5:30pm for our upcoming August trip. At home we normally eat dinner around 6 p.m. and I thought this would give us the best chance of getting seated and started eating by 6ish - and not get caught in any long waits for seating. I *do* plan on taking an afternoon break so this meal would probably be the first thing we do at the park (if the meal is in the park) or at the hotel before going, etc.

I plan to eat breakfast in the room and lunch either at the hotel (CR) or fast service somewhere (the chefs at the CR will make lunch for him if we need it - they have been very helpful!). The same child (age 2) is also deathly allergic to peanut items so we have quite a few constrictions on eating.

Do you think with a 5:30 PS we can be eating around 6? I really want to eat (with food in front of us) at 6 p.m. or close to it.

Any other tips? Anything I'm not thinking of? I will post on the disabilities board as well.

Since the restaurants will be making special meals for him what if have a problem and run a bit late - will they still serve us? (I don't plan to run late!)

Thanks!

 

[zulaya]

disABILITIES will probably give you the best advice. DH has been insulin dependent for over 20 years, but it's a little different when you have a 2 year old.

With regard to the allergy, call ahead to the restaurants and let them know you have an allergy. Many times the chefs will prepare something special or at the very least point out what on the buffet is safe for your child. Let them know when you check in as well and I am sure they will do their best for you.

 

[sherrie]

just a tip, with all of the exersice and walking carry a tube of glucose with you.i assume he is on an insulin that has a peak time. i take novalog which works 15 mins after taking so i can miss a meal or eat when ever. i just take it when i eat. his sugars will probably be lower than norm. keep fruit pr juice in your room, in case he is low while heading out to dinner

 

[jiminy14]

Make sure that when you check in at the podium that you tell the CM you have a diabetic with you. My DD was diagnosed at 2 1/2 and we have been travelling to WDW for the past 15 years. We have very rarely run into a problem. The restaurants are very helpful and have provided my DD with drinks and snacks to "tide" her over. Usually when I mention the diabetes, they mark it on the PS card and we are given the next available table. They are also very good at substituting items that a diabetic should not eat.
Another poster mentioned bringing along a glucose tube or tablets. These are good, but sometimes the taste isn't for a child. I purchase the little tubes of cake frosting that are used for decorating. They do the trick and taste much better.
Make sure you request a fridge for your room. There is no charge for medical purposes. The First Aid stations in all of the parks will store your insulin for you so that you don't have to carry it through the parks on a warm day. You can also return there to test your son's blood and give him his injections.

 

[Jacksmom99]

Send a PM to Zurg or Zurgswife. Their son was recently diagnosed and they have shared their tips for dealing with that. Or, do a search for their most recent trip report.

 

[sherrie]

jiminy great idea on the icing, never in 40 yrs. being a diabetic have thought of this.

 

[jiminy14]

No problem Sherrie. I found that these tubes are easy to carry and taste a whole lot better than glucose tablets. You can find them in the cake mix aisle of your supermarket.
Another product I use is Reddi Wip topping. I keep this in the fridge for emergencies. It's quick and easy to use plus it dissolves very fast.
My DD has had diabetes for 15 years and I am always learning new things. Glad I could pass a couple on to you.

 

[Selket]

My DS doesn't seem to like the icing or the cake gel. He will spit it out - LOL! If you are treating an emergency however I've read the cake GEL is better than the icing because it will dissolve faster in the mouth. I've found that pixie sticks and smartie candies work well for him. He loves drink yogurt too and that usually sends him up fairly quickly - but it isn't quite as portable since you have to keep it cold. With a 2 yr old it is harder to find absolutely dependable things he will consume for a low!

I was wondering if they will make a special effort to seat us promptly since he is diabetic. We prefer not to give too many snacks to tide over - it ends up replacing too much of his dinner! Or the straight sugar makes him go pretty high - we still haven't figured out that end of it due to lack of experience since fortunately he doesn't run too many lows.

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

Our son has had type I since he was six and as he is essentially non verbal, monitoring him is kind of like monitoring a very young toddler...without the growth spurts.

My best advice is always to have food with you.

I carry small cans of juice and apples. Neither can get squished and he'll always drink the juice if he has a low yet it's not overkill for him. Dole juice cans are 6oz. with 22 grams of carbs. No need to refrigerate.

I think you will usually have no trouble being seated quickly if you need to be. If all else fails...as in no open tables at all....WDW hostesses are great about getting rolls or juice to tide one over.

Good luck.

 

[LAWalz23]

My only advice would be to try and show up about 15-20 minutes early to insure that you will be seated in a reasonable time period. You should have no trouble with buffets but if you are ordering off a menu it may take more than 1/2 hr to order and be served, however if it is a special meal amybe not. Just make sure you let everyone know your situation and what needs to be done. I have found that just about everybody at WDW is very accomadating when faced with a special situation. Good luck, have fun and let us know how everything goes!

 

[Ambassador]

We just returned from WDW last week, and had 5:30PM PS for all our dinners, and the kids had food in front of them by 6PM. We were seated promptly, except at Spoodles, which was strange because of all the empty tables. You are advised to arrive early, because a PS is not a guaranteed reservation. Time of year and crowds will influence the wait time.

In general, the Kid's Menus are laden with carbs. You should phone ahead to each restaurant to speak with the head chef. Also provide specific requests and instructions to servers, which they accommodate masterfully. Mary, our server at Citricos, was great with our kids, and keep them happy through our four-course meal.