Type 1 Diabetes

[TinaLala]

My DD12 has just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She is handling it incredibly well, however win our upcoming trip I'm wondering if others can post their suggestions or 'wish I had known before' items when going to Disney or day to day!

Thank you for your support!

 

[puffkin]

My DH has Type 1. We keep hard candy on us at all times (lifesavers, jolly ranchers, etc). Everyone is different, but with the heat and stress in Disney, he tends to have quick drops more frequently than at home. It isn't a huge deal....just something to stay aware of and make sure he is staying at the correct level and eating correctly.

He uses the Omni Pod pump and Dexcom CGM and he hasn't had any issues with his equipment there with flying or on the rides. He does use these Tegaderm patches though over them when in Disney because of all the moisture, to help them stay put. Also, don't forget extra batteries and always pack extra supplies. You just never know.

 

[lanejudy]

Take plenty of testing supplies and test OFTEN. You will probably find that she is much more likely to be low from the heat and activity rather than high, so make sure you have your quick-sugar available. Take breaks, stay hydrated. And did I say test often...

Sharps containers are available on request from Mousekeeping at your resort, and also available in public restrooms in the parks.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go over to the Disabilities Board; lots of good info there.

 

[merina888]

If your daughter is recently diagnosed, the amount of insulin her pancreas is producing is slowly decreasing so be sure to plan for that. My husband brings an icepack type thing. He leaves it will bell services when we are in our room so it freezes since most rooms at Disney do not have a freezer.

 

[TinaLala]

Thank you everyone. Definitely made me think! Keep them coming

 

[Rhetts1stWDW]

My experience during our first trip in 2009 was that the first aid centers know nothing about diabetes, so don't look there for help. They do not carry anything like glucose tabs anywhere on property. So whatever she prefers to use to correct a low you should bring plenty of from home. I went low so often on that trip (I was brand new to my pump) that I hardly remember anything. Since then we successfully went to Disneyland a handful of times and got a second World trip in as well. I just made sure to test more often, drink lots more water, and remember to keep eating/snacking.

Some positives, all rooms on property now have fridges which makes insulin storage easier. I also had no trouble finding sharps containers (I believe if you request at the front desk they will bring one to your room, but I haven't personally done this.)


Just as a PS, I belong to a great support group on Facebook for diabetics. Let me know if you are interested in joining. It's nice to get advice from fellow diabuddies, all these years later I am still learning.

 

[puffkin]

Is she on a pump and CGM? My DH was diagnosed at age 6 back in the early 80's so he dealt with the shots and finger pricks for so long. He went on the Omni Pod 5 years ago and while it does have some draw backs, I can say it was life altering for him. He resisted the CGM for a long time but finally did that about 6 months ago. With a child, I would absolutely get one if at all possible. It is so nice to see the trends and to get an instant reading, especially as the second party.

Ironically, I grew up with a Type 1 Diabetic brother diagnosed at age 5 so I have been dealing with this stuff for 25 years now. I can say though that common sense goes a LONG way when dealing with this disease, but both my DH and my brother have lead basically full, active, and normal lives even with their diagnosis. We have a close friend who also has type 1 and she lets the disease define her.....my DH and brother have never let it define them or stop them....except for some of the inconvenience and extra doctors appointments they don't let diabetes control their lives. But I also think getting diagnosed so young and never really knowing anything different might play a part in that too.

 

[TinaLala]

No pump yet. They told us after a year of the pen and syringe we could talk about a pump. We did well thru Easter, took Drs advice and gave her a candy meal with an insulin starter. We're getting there.

 

[holden]

I don't have any diabetes specific help to offer, but I'd suggest mentioning her condition when making dinner reservations. They will note it on the reservation and the chef will probably come out to discuss good menu options (i.e. low carb). He/she can even modify a dish if you want.

 

[dsneygirl]

First I am sorry it's a lot to process in the beginning.

We have been 3x since dx and it does get easier. Before we had a CGM we tested all the time, there were huge swings depending on food/activity/heat etc. Carry EVERYTHING with you at all times. We were stuck in a back up on the Speedway because of a broken down car. I could see he was going low and just broke out the candy right there in the car.

We test anytime, anywhere, in line etc.

For meals we never even bother. They will offer you a sugar free dessert but you're probably better off just counting and dosing based on what you have. Calorie King is a great book/app to get carb counts for common foods and you will really start to learn the foods you have all the time. (Like a chicken finger is usually around 7-10 g).

Ask Mousekeeping for a sharps container. Most bathrooms also have them but I found them full more often than not

If you're not ready for a pump ask your doc about the CGM it's a game changer.

We haven't let us slow us down at all. Good luck!

 

[Tigjam630]

Sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosed. My 3 year old was diagnosed last fall about a month before we had a trip to Disney scheduled. We debated cancelling, but decided to go for it. It was a great trip- we tested a lot, especially while swimming and while we were at the parks because it was so hot. We used a Frio cooling pouch to keep the insulin cool. I have heard you can store insulin at the first aid stations in each park as well. We also downloaded the calorie king app onto our phones- that was really helpful with estimating carbs. We also brought about 3x as many supplies as we would normally use just in case. Request a sharps container from housekeeping. We are going on our second trip with diabetes this upcoming week....our first time since he started an insulin pump.