Question for type 1 diabetics...

[ranthony]

I'm not sure if this is really the right place to post this but I'm hoping someone has had experience with this. Here's the situation:

My brother (age 41) is a type 1 diabetic and takes 4 shots a day. How would he handle bringing insulin and a needle into the parks? I think the insulin needs to be kept cool, as well.

We'll be down in March and he's currently laid-off (darn economy ) so I was thinking he might want to escape the cold of Buffalo for a week and stay with us at OKW...we'll have the room. But before I extend the invitation I'd like to know how he would handle this because I'm sure it would be the first thought that crosses his mind.

We'll have the kitchen at the resort so it's really only the parks I'd be worried about.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[Janet Hill]

The answers you get will vary greatly in the amount of preparation and thought that goes into a day in the park with needles. My husband is Type I and has been for 30 some years. He just prefills the needles for the day and keeps them in a small insulated pouch that attaches to his belt. He has never had a problem with the insulin not being in the fridge while at the parks. He also will just shoot up whereever. Many times he just takes the shot as we sit at a table waiting for our meal (by the way he just injects right through his clothes). So for him he doesn't do much to prepare for the day, and he has very tight control as his HA1C are in the 5.75 to 6.5 range.

I'm sure he could use some cheering up. I hope he was able to maintain some health insurance. That's our greatest fear. I'm about to lose my job at the end of the week, but our health insurance is through my husband's employer and his job is pretty safe right now.

 

[mechurchlady]

As stated you can get a small Frio pack and keep it in a purse or bag. The nurse's station will store medical supplies and medical stuff like insulin that needs refrigeration. Frio packs keep stuff cold and you can check FAQs for links to stuff related to diabetes and the parks.

Do make sure he checks his feet regularly in the park as one tends to sweat more in Florida. Good luck and that is so nice of you to invite him.

 

[ranthony]

I'm pretty sure he has a frio pack, or something of that sort already.

There is never a problem with security bringing the needles into the park? Does he need some sort of note from his doctor?

Thanks for the reminder about the feet. I can see him just relaxing by the pool too while we venture off to the parks...he gets tired quickly.

 

[Talking Hands]

I'm pretty sure he has a frio pack, or something of that sort already.

There is never a problem with security bringing the needles into the park? Does he need some sort of note from his doctor?

Thanks for the reminder about the feet. I can see him just relaxing by the pool too while we venture off to the parks...he gets tired quickly.

I carry my insulin in a small lunch pack and throw it in my backpack. Use gel freeze packs when it is warm. When it is cool I just carry it and the syringes in a glasses case. It easily fits 2 vials of insulin and a syringe or to. I also carry my meter in a separate case. I doing the poor man's pump as well

 

[mechurchlady]

REnt him an ECV to help save his energy.
There is no problem with bringing medically required needles into the parks. Just keep them in their little bag or container and they really are more after hand guns and weapons and picnic lunches. They do allow drinks and snacks be brought in by all guests. They also allow any food needed because of diet such as celiac, diabetes and allergies. At DLR I never had my testing equipment bag opened ever, I used to have lows too often and would have to test sometimes.

If he is tired he can lay down at the nurse's station.

Forgot to add that you do not need a doctor's note for the medical supplies or the GAC.
I am past nap attack time.

 

[ranthony]

OK-it sounds like this should be easily managed. I'll call today and extend the invitation.

 

[buffettgirl]

We've never had trouble bringing in syringes. When we were last there I simply said "my son has diabetes - these are his supplies" As long as you have things like meters, insulin etc then a syringe will not look out of place and they won't question it. I can see if you tried to go into the park with a syringe and no other supplies that they might question it.

What I'd be more concerned about is making sure you have resources for carb counts - disney does not publish carb counts for their food, so bring a book like "Calorie King".

 

[Selket]

The Zurgs are Disboard members and have written this awesome FAQ for allearsnet.com on doing WDW with type 1 diabetes: http://allears.net/pl/diabetes.htm

That is mandatory reading IMHO.

First Aid is excellent - he should feel free to use that if he needs to store insulin or rest. Of course he should feel free to test and treat himself anywhere he is comfortable - he doesn't have to go there to test or give insulin, etc.

I have personally found that my son has more problems when it is very hot outside. When it is cooler, the issues are less.

Two best pieces of advice: use a good touring plan like Tour Guide Mike. I have used his plans for the past 4 years (my son with D is 7 now) and had great success. TGM will keep you out of the huge lines and hot sun as much as possible. Highly recommended. And secondly, don't plan to see it all and do it all....at least with him....if breaks are needed. I make sure that the must-do's are done. If you have young kids, he might want to split up while you're doing the Dumbo dash, for example. Of course he might be gung ho on doing it all - he knows himself best. I would just leave the "splitting up" as an option.

As everyone has said, it shouldn't be a problem. If he has other medical issues besides the diabetes that cause mobility problems or excessive tiring, he could rent an ECV. A friend of mine with type 1 has other issues and does this and just motors from attraction to attraction. Sometimes she needs the ECV to sit in if there is a long wait to get in, other times she parks and leaves it. It is not uncommon to see people using them to get from place to place and parking it...especially in bigger parks like Epcot.

 

[ranthony]

Thanks for the link Selket...there really is a wealth of information there.

We're members of TGM..."IspeakWhale" over there and I agree with you 100% on the value of doing things the TGM way.

I'm hoping he'll take us up on the offer because I think he's a bit depressed with everything going on in his life right now. It would be totally fine with me if he joined in with our touring or just hung by the pool at the resort.

We'll see, the most I can do is extend the offer. I just know he could use the 'escape' at this point.

 

[ranthony]

Well, I called and invited him and he said he'd think about it. Then, a little while later he called back and he said yes!

I'm excited for him. The last time he was at WDW there was only the Magic Kingdom.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Selket]

Awesome!

I see you're going spring break time - cooler weather so that should help. At least not the burning hot of the summer!

I hope you have a first class vacation!

 

[ranthony]

I hope you have a first class vacation!

Thanks. Now I just have to work on all the ADRs. It's no big deal though, I'll take what I can get and make it work.

 

[Maryr1]

Hi! I am a new type 1 (diagnosed 11 months ago at the age of 48-go figure). We travel a lot (I went on a ski vacation 48 hours after being diagnosed and starting on insulin). We were in Disney in November and it was a breeze! No problems with going through security with my supplies, I had fruit snacks and cookies with me (for hypo reactions). I just mentioned I was a diabetic and they waved me right through. I wear a pump so my insulin is at room temp for 3 days at a time. When we go to the water parks I do bring a neoprene case to put my pump in when I disconnect to go in the water. My only suggestion is if you go to the water parks as you wander about make sure you bring snacks with you. I forgot and had a hypo reaction and my food was way across the park. My husband quickly got me icecream and the crisis was averted! I am a marathon runner and have had a pretty good year running wise even with being a new IDDM. Please feel free to PM me with any questions. So far this year I have been to Colorado skiing,Hawaii,Disney,on a cruise all the while adjusting to this new life style. I also have run a full as well as a half marathon. Good luck, enjoy your trip!

 

[ranthony]

I can't imagine having the energy to run like you do at 48 (I'm 41) with or without diabetes!

You sound like you haven't missed a beat. Good for you for continuing to do the things you love.