For a long time, it seems as if those of us with chronic illness could not travel and see the world. But this is no longer the case. Indeed, with the fantastic global travel network we now have and with hotels and venues always improving on their care for chronically ill people, travelling the world is now not only possible but enjoyable too. Of course, there are some actions we can take to make travelling with chronic illness easier and more successful. Read on to find out some of the most vital ones.
Carefully choose your destination.
The first thing you can do to travel well with chronic illness is to carefully pick your destination. The one that's most suitable for you will, of course, depend on the type of chronic illness you suffer from. For example, destinations that are at a high altitude, such as mountainous regions, may not be the best choice for those with conditions like COPD or inflammatory bowel disease. This is because there is less oxygen available in the air at altitude, and this can aggravate these types of conditions, making them much worse.
Similarly, destinations with travel warnings either for political unrest or disease may be best avoided unless completely necessary.
Prepare and pack well ahead of time.
Another thing you can do to make travelling with a chronic illness easier is to make sure you prepare and pack well ahead of your trip. This is because the preparation and packing stage can be quite exhausting in itself, and in turn, this can leave you with a flair up as you travel or as soon as you get to your destination.
With that in mind, it's a very good idea to prep and pack well ahead of time, so all you need to do on the day is grab your case and get to the airport. In terms of preparation, this means making sure you have all the clothing, shoes, and supplies you need well before you begin packing. It also means ordering enough of your meds to see you through to the end of your trip and beyond. Remember, your energy levels will likely be low when you get home, so having to deal with ordering a pickup for new meds is best avoided during this time if possible.
Aim to finish packing your case at least 2 days before you leave. This will allow you those two days to rest and relax so you have as much energy as possible for your trip. Although you can always change the duration of this window to suit your personal needs better.
Consider special accommodations at the airport.
Over recent years airports have got so much better with the accommodations they have for disabled, unwell and chronically ill travellers. With this in mind, you may want to make your trip a great deal easier and less taxing by choosing to embrace some of these.
One option is to use the quiet room when waiting to board your plane. This is a space that is set apart from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal. It usually has good seats, is quieter, and there are way fewer people, so it can be a lot less draining for those of us with chronic conditions and sensory needs.
Another option is to use the special assistance services when you arrive at the airport. These will differ from location to location but generally they include help with things like getting into the airport from your transport, carrying your baggage, going through check in and security, getting to your plan, getting on the plane, and getting off on the other side, assistance with luggage once you have arrived at your destination.
If mobility is an issue for you, then you may be able to request the use of a wheelchair and someone to push it. Also, having help getting through check-in and security can make these already stressful experiences much easier, and so use up fewer of your spoons, leaving you more for your flight Just be aware that most airports require around 48 hours' notice if you will need the services of their special assistance crew, so be sure to check their website before you travel.
Pack your meds in your carry-on.
It's also a good idea to make sure that you pack all of your meds in your carry-on. This is because even in the unlikely event that your bag gets lost, you will still have access to your medications!
Of course, there are a few things to remember when packing your meds. First of all, it's best to pack them in their original blister packs, if you can, as well as the original outer plastic or cardboard packaging. This will show security that they are authentic and have not been tampered with in any way. With that in mind, resist placing your meds for the week into your pill organisers until after you travel.
Also, if you are concerned about being questioned by security, taking a copy of your perspective or a letter from your doctors can be helpful. Last of all, if you have meds that need to be kept at a certain temperature, be sure to inform the airport and airline ahead of time so they can make provisions for this.
Equip yourself with things to do when you have a flair up.
Chronic illness can be unpredictable, and just because you are on vacation does not mean that you won’t get a flair up. Yes, it's frustrating, but working within your limits each day is always the best approach, even if that means spending some time relaxing rather than exploring.
To that end, it's a very good idea to make sure you equip yourself with things to do if you do have a flare-up or your energy levels suffer. After all, there is no reason you can’t still enjoy yourself while taking it easier.
One option for this is to pack your favorite Blu-rays and have a box set binge as you rest. Especially if you book a hotel with a player, or take a portable one. Another, and one that many of us in the chronic illness community rely on, is to play video games. Indeed, packing portable systems such as the Nintendo Switch makes good sense, as you can play while in transit as well. Although if you haven't remembered your games system, you can still play great online games like blackjack, mahjong, and backgammon for free in your laptop or phone browser. Oh, and there's no need to worry, as many blackjack sites allow you to play the game without playing any bets or risking any of your holiday spending money.
Choose the right kind of accommodation.
Choosing accommodation when travelling is always important. However, when you have a chronic illness, it's crucial because it can have such a huge impact on your energy levels and health during your stay.
That is why you need to think about the factors that are crucial to your comfort and wellbeing during your trip.
Accessibility, for instance, is important for many of us with chronic conditions as walking up flights of stairs every day will drain what little energy we have. With that in mind, choosing a ground floor room, or a hotel with elevators can make a huge difference.
Similarly, choosing accommodation that offers free transport to key destinations like the magical express bus service at the Disney resort means you know it will be easy to get where you need to go each day without having to walk or book expensive taxis.
*contributed post*
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