Traveling with a Diabetic Child.

[Caribbeanprincess]

I also agree about the insulin pump. My nephew has been on it for about 6 months and it's been amazing how much easier it is for him.

 

[buffettgirl]

Thank-you for all your help and advise.

Right now anyways she is on prescribed schedule of insulin...two shots a day. Before breakfast and before dinner with a combo of short and long insulin doses...

IF it is the same program in October it wouldn't be too bad to leave the insulin somewhere else.... I am just worried about carrying the stuff onto rides or leaving it somewhere and it going missing that would not be good!

I was hoping Disney would have someplace where I can look up how many carbs are in a Micky Bar, Dole whip etc...

I am no where near anyplace called normal yet...... in fact I am close to freak out mode usually..

don't worry, freak out mode is perfectly allowed. But it does really get better. I promise. It won't always be freak out mod.
And selket is correct. We're going to the FFL conference this summer for our first time and from what I hear, it's just absolutely amazing. I can't wait.

 

[visitingapril09]

My daughter who is 11 was just diagnosed with type 1 on March 17.
Prior to the diagnoses we had booked a trip to Disneyland (California) for Oct. 4-11.

WE are just learning to cope with diabetes and appreciate any and all info. to help us cope...

I had no idea that high temp could affect her blood sugars and being from the west coast in Canada we rarely have high temperatures so now I am very worried.

I have a few questions.

Is California in the 80's in early october?
Is there anyway to get info. about the carb counts of all the foods at the restaurants in Disney, beforehand?
Can we store her insulin at first aid where it will hopefully be cooler?

Thanks for telling me about GAC, I will need to explore exactly what it is and what it means...

I guess I will avoid lines in the sun if it is hot...

Hi there, We are in the Vancouver area. Our daughter is almost 15 and was diagnosed at 10. We are taking our second trip to Disneyland next week. If you want to pm me any questions please feel free.

 

[BCholly]

Hi there, We are in the Vancouver area. Our daughter is almost 15 and was diagnosed at 10. We are taking our second trip to Disneyland next week. If you want to pm me any questions please feel free.

Please let me know how it goes and where you ate etc.... that would be very helpful in easing some of my worries...

Is her doctor in Childrens? I live in Maple Ridge.

Thanks for the info about Children with Diabetes forum.... I signed up and started reading... I am afraid it is scaring me even more...ugh!

I am excited about the 2010 conference in Vancouver! We will be able to attend that one easily!

 

[mackay_j]

Hi to the person who was recently diagnosed and is going to disney- don't panic. I was in the same situation when we first went 9 years ago. My girl had only been diagnosed for about 1 month before we came over.


Since then we have taken my girl every where includding, US, Europe, skiing other adventure holidays and have even taken her to the Artic in the winter - so life can still go on, it does get better, you are in the worst part at the moment, give it time you will adapt and although the worries you have now will never go away completly they will subside. I am now at the stage were we worry more about all the normal teenage things than the diabetees.

I now run a suport group and have given info to many who travel. So if you have any questions just shout and I will try and help you out.


I would not recomend leaving you insulin at the first aid place. Its a long way back. If it is going to be very warm try and get hold of a 'frio bag', if you cant get these in the use freeze some slightly damp cothes and wrap arround a container holding the insulin- make sure that these cothes do not come into contact with the pen/needle/vial or the waltet they are kept in, this needs to go into a secondary container then get wrapped up. This frio bag keeps insulin at the correct temperature, and its small and portable it can also be used in moutain climbing and we used it in the artic to stop the insulin freezing.

We have done disney/ US several times since and have a few tips

Major excitement can also casuse sugars to rise or fall quickly so be careful on the 1st day/travel day (check with you consultants first but we run my girl slightly higher (8-10 Uk scale0 than normal on our travel day esp as we have a 8-9hr flight) as thats when they are most likely to be most excited.

Before any big thrill ride check sugars, do not go on if too low or too high.

I have never used the GAC (to be honest the 1st time I went I didn't know about it I probably would have taken it if I had known but as I have never needed it would bother now- but its up to you you may find it useful, My girl would not use it now as she insists that she is the same as everyone else and has fought to do the same as all her mates, includding climbing, absailing, water sport holidays so would not take kindly to me getting her that but she is now 16). If I have to leave a line I ask the person before/after us to keep our place and explian why, if we have returned after the time they reach the front then they say to CM and we explain on return - I find this is the fairest way to do this - no advantage -no loss. however, read below about high sugars and what you should not do if they are high enough to produce Ketones


If sugar levels are high (in UK normal is 1-7 so I would call this about above 15 need to ask what these should be in US scale) then you should limit the amount of exercise, that includes walking about too much This is when you will see most (but not all) of the children have to use the tiolet more often (some find dooing excersise brings the sugars down so get tempted to do this - Please do not do this. At this piont you should take time out to rest until sugars fall. Tissue damage occurs during excersie if ketons are present (usually because of high sugars). When this hapens to us we use the time to go and see a show or wait in a very long que.

I find that sipping gatoraid/ or equiv sport rehydrate drink on a hot day works well to maintain/stablise sugars (again make sure sugars are not high before allowing this to be sipped all day). You can buy 'cool' disney water carriers to make this a more kiddy 'cool' thing to carry about.

I would also always take a banana with you as during a very bad hypo postassium levels also drop and this can leave a person fealing week and awful even when their sugars come back up. So after glucose is give for a hypo we then carb restock with a banana. A nice treat altentative is the frozen bananas from the ice cream cart ( check I think these also contain nuts)

The other thing is not to be tempted to rush about too much if it is very warm. Infact the parks are better anyway if you relax and enjoy them at a slower pace.

Depending on the age of the child, and if they have any smaller siblings it may be usfule to higher the larger pram thing, we did this on our 1st trip as my girl was 6 when we went but had a younger sister aged 3 so we hired the double and the older one (who was at that time very small for her age climbed in when she got tired. It was also freezing cold that Xmas in Florida at times so the blankets kept them snug. However, we were only able to do that the once as she was too old on return visits and there was no way she would have got in.


If you are flying and on a pump do not go through the security gate scanner. you need to be hand scaned as stong magnetics can interfere with the pump. This is also true of some rides, so best to disconect a pump before riding then reconnect when over (Some even suggest for insurance that the pump should be removed before riding - we don't have an issue in the UK as pumps are only provided to extreem cases hard to control/ or control with too many hypos. And are repalce by doctors as required.

If on a pump make sure and know how to convert back to injections if the worst happens and the pump is broken.

Most of all go and enjoy!


If any teens have any questions about a 1st visit then let me know and I will give them the diabetic teen forum that my daughter uses. Please note that this has teans up to the age of 19 and I cannot speak for its content. Infact I have only just let my girl join now aged 16. If you teen is younger and they have questions ask them here or pm me and I will get my girl to reply back directly.

 

[Selket]

Thanks for the info about Children with Diabetes forum.... I signed up and started reading... I am afraid it is scaring me even more...ugh!

I am sorry you find it scary reading. I don't know what is scary but please introduce yourself there. We often talk about complex and esoteric issues dealing with pumping and the like but this is NOT something you need to worry about at the moment. Nor your child's A1c, etc. You are just starting out so it is a whole other place you are in. Believe me....for the first YEAR after he was dx'd I felt like I was being forced to get my M.D. degree I had so much to learn - so much reading, etc. You have to take one day at a time and once you get one thing figured out more or less...you can move to the next.

There is actually a long Disneyland thread on the parents board 1st page at the moment - check that out.

 

[bopper]

Make sure you keep the test strips cool too, not just the Insulin.
We had a time on vacation where my DH was reading very high, but it turns out he was very low. We think the strips got too hot when we were in Hawaii. Make sure the readings jibe with their behavior and what they have eaten.

 

[dlaushey]

Our DD11 was dx'd soon after our first visit when she was just under 3. We have made numerous (~50) trips since being dxd in 2000 (AP holders in Atlanta). We have never even thought about getting a GAC for diabetes (after reading through this I still don't understand why someone would, how would a GAC help manage her diabetes while touring a park?). Although she has type 1 we have never let this slow her down from doing anything or use it as an excuse not to do something. She is on swim team, dance team, soccer team, cheerleading and has an active social life spending the night with friends and family. Diabetes is a disease that can not be cured (will be soon!) but can be managed until the cure is found.

As far as planning and touring, be sure to keep insulin with you (or extra bottle close by if on a pump), bring extra syringes (even if on pump), lancets, strips, pump site changes and especially a back up meter. We have had many diabetes experiences at the parks; seizures (at an amusement park not Disney, whole story on it’s own), Highs and Lows, pump site failures, run out of strips, lost meter, forgot meter for the day, run out of insulin in the pump, dead pump/meter battery, overheated meter, run out of snacks/juice – if it can happen to someone with Type I at Disney we have probably done it. We have toured with a CGM and it was great! We didn’t have to manually check her BG as often which we usually do while standing in line. Her CGM died about a month ago and we are trying to get a new one for our upcoming trips.

We have only mentioned to CM’s a couple of times that she has diabetes; I cut to the front of a line to grab a Sprite when her BG was really low (explained to those in line after getting her to drink some) and we asked a CM while waiting for an ADR for some crackers or rolls since her BG was a little low (they just seated us at the next table which we felt bad about).

While at Disney or on any vacation we check her BG more often and give insulin more often (it helps that she is on a pump). As far as carb counts we just WAG it (just like at most restaurants) and check the BG again later and adjust. We are probably most worried at night since she has had a full day of exercise and a high number of carbs. She was very seizure prone when she was younger especially while sleeping. We have her go to bed with a little higher BG than normal and then correct in the morning. She has not been one who is affected too much by the heat although we do carry a lot of extra water bottles.

Anyway, for anyone who is traveling with someone with Type I just be prepared with supplies and watch for signs of BG swings, otherwise it should be like traveling with someone without Type I – a trip filled with Pixie Dust! Have Fun!

 

[mackay_j]

dlushy- I'm with you, from as soon as she was diagnosed we have told her that she is no different from anyone else, the year she had been diagnosed The brittish rower john redgrave had just won his 5th gold olimpic medal, and he is a diabetic. We told her all about him and if he could do that then she could try do anything she put her mind too as long as she was heathly enough. She also got to wonder around the hospital and mix with others a lot worse off than herself, we pointed out that they would do anything to be able to stay healthy just by taking injections and not eating the wrong foods. Now 10 years on and about to leave school to go to university after summer. I can honestly say, with pride in her, that she has never never complained about being diabetic (even although I am sure she must get cheesed off about it sometimes). On one occasion she had had a particulary bad day (she used to go high at the same time of day every day and nothing would get her sugars down, no more insulin could be given as she always crashed down after 3 hrs into a hypo, sometimes she would end up being sent home from school and be violently sick for a few hours), she said "today mum I started to feel angry about this, but only for a few mins as I quickly remembered the faces of those other girls in the hospital when I was diagnosed" Those are face I thought she would have long forgoten as it had been 5 years ago! She also used to swim for the county team -but gave up as she aslo plays clarinet and sax for county and school band so couldn't fit it all in with her studies. She has gone trips with the school which involved all sort of activies includding hillwalking absailing, sailing, skiiing and has toured other EU countries with her music bands.

I would not have wanted to get the GAC from when she was old enough to understand what it meant as that would contradict how were brining her up. But I do think its is down to both personal choice and also how well the persons diabeties is controled.

 

[dlaushey]

dlushy- I'm with you, from as soon as she was diagnosed we have told her that she is no different from anyone else.

Thanks mackay_j!

Btw, I forgot to mention in my post that the subject of the original thread should be:

Traveling with a Child who has Diabetes.

not

Traveling with a Diabetic Child.

No matter what a child may have the CHILD comes first. My child is not defined by her diabetes though it is a part of her.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Our DD11 was dx'd soon after our first visit when she was just under 3. We have made numerous (~50) trips since being dxd in 2000 (AP holders in Atlanta). We have never even thought about getting a GAC for diabetes (after reading through this I still don't understand why someone would, how would a GAC help manage her diabetes while touring a park?). Although she has type 1 we have never let this slow her down from doing anything or use it as an excuse not to do something. She is on swim team, dance team, soccer team, cheerleading and has an active social life spending the night with friends and family. Diabetes is a disease that can not be cured (will be soon!) but can be managed until the cure is found.

As far as planning and touring, be sure to keep insulin with you (or extra bottle close by if on a pump), bring extra syringes (even if on pump), lancets, strips, pump site changes and especially a back up meter. We have had many diabetes experiences at the parks; seizures (at an amusement park not Disney, whole story on it’s own), Highs and Lows, pump site failures, run out of strips, lost meter, forgot meter for the day, run out of insulin in the pump, dead pump/meter battery, overheated meter, run out of snacks/juice – if it can happen to someone with Type I at Disney we have probably done it. We have toured with a CGM and it was great! We didn’t have to manually check her BG as often which we usually do while standing in line. Her CGM died about a month ago and we are trying to get a new one for our upcoming trips.

We have only mentioned to CM’s a couple of times that she has diabetes; I cut to the front of a line to grab a Sprite when her BG was really low (explained to those in line after getting her to drink some) and we asked a CM while waiting for an ADR for some crackers or rolls since her BG was a little low (they just seated us at the next table which we felt bad about).

While at Disney or on any vacation we check her BG more often and give insulin more often (it helps that she is on a pump). As far as carb counts we just WAG it (just like at most restaurants) and check the BG again later and adjust. We are probably most worried at night since she has had a full day of exercise and a high number of carbs. She was very seizure prone when she was younger especially while sleeping. We have her go to bed with a little higher BG than normal and then correct in the morning. She has not been one who is affected too much by the heat although we do carry a lot of extra water bottles.

Anyway, for anyone who is traveling with someone with Type I just be prepared with supplies and watch for signs of BG swings, otherwise it should be like traveling with someone without Type I – a trip filled with Pixie Dust! Have Fun!

Have you used your CGM at the waterparks? We are going with a waterpark AP and I cannot decide to remove the CGM for the week because we will be away from the receiver so much all day or that we need it more than usual after a busy day at them. We had it on a cruise and I felt he did not get to do some things with it on--some of us jumped from the speedboat and swam ashore while he and others took the dinghy, he did not get in the really rough surf because I was afraid it would get knocked off. I also worry about the waves at TL knocking it off even though we use Tagaderm.
Thanks for the great post. We raise our son the same way.

 

[dlaushey]

Have you used your CGM at the waterparks?

Glad to hear you are raising your son the same way! We think it is the right way. Diabetes can be managed and will be defeated soon!

Funny you should ask about the CGM and waterparks. We had AP's to the Disney WP's last year (we alternate between Disney parks, WP's and even Universal). We got the CGM about the time we were going on a Disney cruise last Spring and waited until we returned to start using it. Once we started using it we really liked it until we went to a water park. It was impossible to keep signal (btw, we use the Minimed Pump and CGM) during the day at the water parks. So we went w/o the CGM and checked BG at least every 1 to 2 hours. I see your point wanting it on afterwards but I thought it was too difficult to get it going again. Also, the water on the site all day just made it unusable after a day or so. There was no way she was going to let me put a new one on her each day - not that I would due to the cost of each of the sites.

If you can (check with your Doc) I would highly suggest using Lantus to cover 50-80% of your basal rate and then have the pump cover the rest. We tried this last summer and loved it. Our Doc called it "Untethered Pump". Since she is disconnected from the pump so much while at the pool her BG's would run high. Then we would spend the evening and night to try and get them back in line. Using the Lantus kept her basal going even while unattached. It really worked great. The hardest part was remembering to give her the Lantus each night. This really worked great at the water parks. When we would check her BG we could give a correction if needed but she never got up into the 300's and 400's like she did w/o the Lantus. It was much easier to get her back in range. Our doctor had many of the campers try this while at summer camp last year. We were already doing it and continued until the pools closed for the summer.

Have a great trip. We loved doing the water parks for a year - it's taken us another year to dry out!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Just because some families do not need the GAC or choose not to use it does not need that another family may not need it. If they have a child who is indeed affected by the heat, that might be a situation where a GAC is warranted. As Sue has pointed out numerous times it is not the diagnosis but the manifestation of it that qualifies one for a GAC. Some lines are out in the sun for a significant period of time- especially if it is during a busy season adn the extended queues are out. In that case I could see a person needing a GAC. It seems that most people who have children with diabetes use the GAC as back up. They may never need it, but it's there just in case.

I also have to say, I'm glad that you are raising your child with persepctive, but I've never agreed with the mindset that just because others have it worse than you it means that you can't feel bad about your condition every once in awhile. Those feelings are very normal for anyone dealing with a chronic illness, and I think it's healthier to acknowledge them than to sweep them under the rug or feel guilty about them. (I apologize if I am misreading the post). Everybody has their own struggles that are meaningful to them. I'm sure that my friends with Crohn's would love to have switch places with me where my disease is much easier and less expensive to control, and I acknowledge that. But that doesn't mean there still aren't times when it's been a hard adjustment to make. There's always somebody worse off than you, but that doesn't mean that you always have to be a Pollyanna.

 

[mackay_j]

I agree with that and have both waited for and prepared for the day when my daughter will rebel against her diabetess, she is encouraged to do everything she can, but is also told by us that it is OK to feal down at times and that we all do regardless of any conditions we may or may not have. - but I am proud of her that it hasn't happed yet, (but would never tell her that incase it would make her feel compleled to never feel down and that would be very unhealthy).- that day may still come, and when it does we will still take the approach of trying to show her her fortunes rather than allowing her to become focused on any negatives, however, she does have the added prespective of a sister who has a tummor inside her spinal colum and for whom the outcome is so much more uncertain.

As I said I help run a support group for diabetic children, my daughter has moved from being one of the kids, to now helping the younger ones, she has been asked by our hospital to go into schools and do presentations to both kids and on occasions to only staff in schools where they were less flexibale on there treatment of diabetic children, She has also gone (again as a pacient represntative on behalf of our health board to meet with government and educational officals to discuss the issues of both negative and possitive discrimination.

My group has come accross all sorts of people who have many diff ways of coping with this, and as long as they are coping - then there is no right or wrong way, however, we have luckly got the funding for a child/family theripist whom we can call in when we feel it is appropriate and when the family (and usualy consultent team ,who give them our contact details to help) agree that they would like additional support. Every time we have used this so far it has been in cases where sadly (and usualy for very good/uderstanable reasons) the child is being protected for their condition and from 'real life'.

And I agree about the GAC, I even said if I had known about it when we fisrt went, when she was resently diagnosed I would have taken it. But would not do so now as my girl would not want it. She won't even apply for a special free bus pass that she is due to here in scotland (she sees that as possitive discrimination). and instead pays any for any journeys to meet her friends out of her own pocket money. And that has come completly from her as we had applied and used the pass (as I have a diff view of this than she does) until she reached 16 then she had to apply for it herself. She was excluded from a school trip, due to her diabeties, when she was 11 and has worked very hard to ensure that it never was allowed to happen to her again. I think that is why she is so determined not to be treated differently.


Again I stress that if having the GAC makes you feal more secure (and it would have for us on our fisrt trip) and you feel it will keep your child in better health on this trip then get it.

 

[Selket]

Just because some families do not need the GAC or choose not to use it does not need that another family may not need it.

Absolutely - taking a line from someone else - YDMV (YOUR diabetes may vary). The same medical diagnosis can have different consequences for different people at different times.

She was excluded from a school trip, due to her diabeties, when she was 11 and has worked very hard to ensure that it never was allowed to happen to her again. I think that is why she is so determined not to be treated differently.

She sounds like an awesome young woman and what a role model for the little kids! Kudos to you both and to all of us who either have a child with type 1 or have type 1 themselves.

 

[mackay_j]

Hi just wanted to come back about the gac and about diabetes in general, I have just gone through many past posts on the subject and wanted to add a few things in as some of the info out there is wrong, incase any new person reads it then they will hopefully read this too. (please excuse my dislexic spelling)

To give you some background- I worked in drug reaserch for many many years. 7 of which on a diabetees reaserch team until my daughter became diabetic (hows that for luck), and I couldn't do diabetic stuff 24 hours a day, there was also a conflict of interests for any data I was then to submit to FDA etc. So moved info other fields of research. This is why I want to put some info here.


HYPERS

I have seen it writen on here and other places many times about using the GCA when the child is running high (going to loo at lot so have to cut back into ride)- Please do not do this- do not put a child with high sugars on a thrill ride, or let them go running around in play areas, ketone production rapidly increases with exercise and can also do so if the body experences stress- Most very bad Hypers take place after exersise when sugars were already high. If the sugars go high take time out to rest the child (go and see a show as long as you don't have to rush to get to it, or just relax with a cool sugar free drink), you can go back into the que later when sugars return to normal. Heat is not usually a problem for high sugar situations execpt that some children feel sick if sugars go high and heat can, make that seem worse, so rest in the shade.



HYPOS - Low sugars

Luckly the recovery from slight lows is quite quick as long as you get them on time. If a low hypos happens this can usualy be treated on the spot with no need to leave lines/show as long as you have glucose/food with you (not so easy in locker rides). but make sure sugars are normal before riding and if its a thrill ride I would check them again after the ride, as adreniline can make sugars fall quickly.

For a major hypo very low sugars, then take time out, do not thrill ride again until you know your sugars are both normal and stable

Heat is more of a factor in lowering sugars and can for some be a main cause of going in and out of hypos all day. If this happens, it is worth reducing you backgrounds for following days (if you have experience to do this). For these people the GAC should provide a safe waiting area. However, don't worry if you have not got the card/left it behind as without the GAC, we have just asked a CM if there was a shadded place she could wait, and she and her dad waited there while we waited in the que until we were at the front when they rejoined us


The Pump

This needs (and the tubbing) to be kept from over heating if standing in the sun. Again if realy worried ask a CM, we just make sure that its in the shade of her or her dad. You also need to make sure that it is disconected (not just suspended) for thrill rides as magnets used in these could cause the pump to malfunction. Make sure and get hand scaned at the airport for same reason.



Drinks

Drink plenty in the heat. But I have read some things on disney forums about drinking 1pt per so many hours if you have ketones to flush them away- DO NOT DO THIS- IT CAN KILL YOU- Make sure they are kept hydrated in the SAME way as the rest of your family.


Sip gatoraid or equiv all day to maintain sugars, balances the carbs used in the amount of walking you do.


Card reloading

It is a good idea to eat dinner (or supper) and then not do much more walk about after that, giving the bady a chance to relaod before going to sleep. This is not always easy at disney as you may want to stay late to see the shows, So if your chlid can its a good idea to split dinner into 2 smaller meals one at parka then another supper befoe bed. Also a good idea (but doesn't feal like it for the parent at the time) to check sugar in the night after a particulary bussy day. (for us it is water park day that will casue a night time hypo, but everyones diff)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Thank you for this very useful information. It seems to cover most bases and is clear and not filled with technobabble.

 

[mechurchlady]

I love that post and it is the clearest advice, thank you.

Hands Sue a sticky to put his list in the FAQs

 

[buffettgirl]

Hi just wanted to come back about the gac and about diabetes in general, I have just gone through many past posts on the subject and wanted to add a few things in as some of the info out there is wrong, incase any new person reads it then they will hopefully read this too. (please excuse my dislexic spelling)

To give you some background- I worked in drug reaserch for many many years. 7 of which on a diabetees reaserch team until my daughter became diabetic (hows that for luck), and I couldn't do diabetic stuff 24 hours a day, there was also a conflict of interests for any data I was then to submit to FDA etc. So moved info other fields of research. This is why I want to put some info here.


HYPERS

I have seen it writen on here and other places many times about using the GCA when the child is running high (going to loo at lot so have to cut back into ride)- Please do not do this- do not put a child with high sugars on a thrill ride, or let them go running around in play areas, ketone production rapidly increases with exercise and can also do so if the body experences stress- Most very bad Hypers take place after exersise when sugars were already high. If the sugars go high take time out to rest the child (go and see a show as long as you don't have to rush to get to it, or just relax with a cool sugar free drink), you can go back into the que later when sugars return to normal. Heat is not usually a problem for high sugar situations execpt that some children feel sick if sugars go high and heat can, make that seem worse, so rest in the shade.



HYPOS - Low sugars

Luckly the recovery from slight lows is quite quick as long as you get them on time. If a low hypos happens this can usualy be treated on the spot with no need to leave lines/show as long as you have glucose/food with you (not so easy in locker rides). but make sure sugars are normal before riding and if its a thrill ride I would check them again after the ride, as adreniline can make sugars fall quickly.

For a major hypo very low sugars, then take time out, do not thrill ride again until you know your sugars are both normal and stable

Heat is more of a factor in lowering sugars and can for some be a main cause of going in and out of hypos all day. If this happens, it is worth reducing you backgrounds for following days (if you have experience to do this). For these people the GAC should provide a safe waiting area. However, don't worry if you have not got the card/left it behind as without the GAC, we have just asked a CM if there was a shadded place she could wait, and she and her dad waited there while we waited in the que until we were at the front when they rejoined us


The Pump

This needs (and the tubbing) to be kept from over heating if standing in the sun. Again if realy worried ask a CM, we just make sure that its in the shade of her or her dad. You also need to make sure that it is disconected (not just suspended) for thrill rides as magnets used in these could cause the pump to malfunction. Make sure and get hand scaned at the airport for same reason.



Drinks

Drink plenty in the heat. But I have read some things on disney forums about drinking 1pt per so many hours if you have ketones to flush them away- DO NOT DO THIS- IT CAN KILL YOU- Make sure they are kept hydrated in the SAME way as the rest of your family.


Sip gatoraid or equiv all day to maintain sugars, balances the carbs used in the amount of walking you do.


Card reloading

It is a good idea to eat dinner (or supper) and then not do much more walk about after that, giving the bady a chance to relaod before going to sleep. This is not always easy at disney as you may want to stay late to see the shows, So if your chlid can its a good idea to split dinner into 2 smaller meals one at parka then another supper befoe bed. Also a good idea (but doesn't feal like it for the parent at the time) to check sugar in the night after a particulary bussy day. (for us it is water park day that will casue a night time hypo, but everyones diff)

I don't want to be pedantic, but much of this advice works opposite for some kids - type 1 diabetes is a very much "Your Diabetes May Vary" type of disease.

For instance, there's really no reason why a child who is high cannot exercise if they don't have ketones. Exercise AND Ketones do not mix but exercise will not bring on ketones. For many kids exercising is a great way to bring down bg's.

For many kids, excitement can bring on lows just as easily as highs and for many kids it varies from time to time. for hypos, you should ALWAYS have glucose on your person. Always. In a pocket, tucked in your waistband, tucked in your bra but ALWAYS on your person. At disney you can always have your bags with you, so you should never be without your diabetes supplies.

For pumps, simply wearing them under your clothing should not make them overheat. NEVER hand your pump to a CM always keep it with you. ALWAYS.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I don't want to be pedantic, but much of this advice works opposite for some kids - type 1 diabetes is a very much "Your Diabetes May Vary" type of disease.

For instance, there's really no reason why a child who is high cannot exercise if they don't have ketones. Exercise AND Ketones do not mix but exercise will not bring on ketones. For many kids exercising is a great way to bring down bg's.

For many kids, excitement can bring on lows just as easily as highs and for many kids it varies from time to time. for hypos, you should ALWAYS have glucose on your person. Always. In a pocket, tucked in your waistband, tucked in your bra but ALWAYS on your person. At disney you can always have your bags with you, so you should never be without your diabetes supplies.

For pumps, simply wearing them under your clothing should not make them overheat. NEVER hand your pump to a CM always keep it with you. ALWAYS.

I don't think that was what mackay was saying, but I bolded your statement because it is very important. This has come up before. CMs will not (heck, we can not) take your pump. Not only is it a bad idea to leave your pump with a stranger, you will find that we will not accept it anyway.