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Gill_Parkinson

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Hi I'm Gill,
I'm 14 years old, live in Blackburn and have had type 1 diabetes for 18 months. I'm currently on 4 insulin injections a day and am handling everything okay (I think). I have 3 friends at school who also have diabetes so I don't feel alone. I've only just found this forum so I thought I'd join up.
Btw do any of you have advice about going abroad with school. We are going from Liverpool airport and last time I flew from there they searched my bag despite me telling them I'm diabetic and showing them a letter from my doctor. Is there anything I can do to prevent this because its really embarrassing? I'd appreciate any advice you have.
Thank you :) :) xx


 
From some stats I just read there are nearly 3 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with diabetes. The people at border customs must see lots of them every day.

I can't quite see why having diabetes and having a letter from your doctor to that effect would exempt you from a normal luggage search.

It might be embarrassing but you might as well get used to it since It might become normal if you travel abroad in the future.
 
Rick, husband of a type 1 diabetic

Hi all, new to this site. My wife was diagnosed a Type 1 Diabetic, some 35 years ago. So far there have been no complications. Probably due to plenty of testing and correction action. We follow the American Diabetic Society recommendation of testing at least 5 times per day. Fortunately Insulin and test strips are free. She is on Lantus night and morning and Novo Rapid for meals. She watches what she eats, occasionally having a treat.
We have a son and 2 Grandchildren that are type 1.
 
Re: Rick, husband of a type 1 diabetic

janrick said:
Hi all, new to this site. My wife was diagnosed a Type 1 Diabetic, some 35 years ago. So far there have been no complications. Probably due to plenty of testing and correction action. We follow the American Diabetic Society recommendation of testing at least 5 times per day. Fortunately Insulin and test strips are free. She is on Lantus night and morning and Novo Rapid for meals. She watches what she eats, occasionally having a treat.
We have a son and 2 Grandchildren that are type 1.
Click to expand...


Hi Janrick

Welcome to the forum.

Mary
 
hi Gill

welcome to the forum,

The most I think you can do is to have the letter from your GP and expect your luggage to be searched as anyone else's would be.

I guess in the past if you've travelled, you've been on family holidays, where an adult/parent would have been looking after your parafinalia and they wouldn't have been in the least bit embarrassed.

With experience comes confidence, you've been through it once being the 'responsible adult' for yourself. Next time it won't feel so strange. Perhaps if you do go away with the family ask your parent/adult to let you take your own stuff through to build those experiences.

I've made loads of assumptions above so ignore if totally off kilter.

Mary x

BTW there is a youth section on the forum you may find useful.
 
Squire Fulwood said:
I can't quite see why having diabetes and having a letter from your doctor to that effect would exempt you from a normal luggage search.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry I didn't make it clear: they were searching my bag because of the needles and medication I was carrying, it wasn't just a normal luggage search (of which I have no objections against).
 
Gill_Parkinson said:
I'm sorry I didn't make it clear: they were searching my bag because of the needles and medication I was carrying, it wasn't just a normal luggage search (of which I have no objections against).
Click to expand...


More than likely a random bag search which they are entitled to carry out Gill, I'm type 1 too and always carry a gp letter just in case and have yet to have my bag searched, hopefully next time you fly you'll escape the dreaded search :)
 
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