Planning on a family vacation? Don’t worry trips and other family outings do not have to be restricted because your child has been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. You can do it all still but there are some extra preparations and planning that will have to happen first. The preparations you make is going to be dependant on what kind of trip you are planning, for how long and the activities that you will be participating in.It is a good idea if you are going out of town on an airplane or by car to get some documentation from your doctor. You should get a letter that explains your child’s condition and an extra prescription for any unforeseen eventualities. If you are going on a lengthy plane ride, you will need the letter to get permission to bring your child’s medicine and syringes onto the airplane with you instead of storing them in your luggage.

If you are unsure what special arrangements you are going to need to make, speak to your doctor. If you are going on a vacation that will involve lots of extra physical activity (such as camping or hiking), be sure that you bring extra food to replace the energy that is going to be used up. If there is going to be less physical activity, more frequent testing of blood sugar levels will be necessary to make sure too much insulin isn’t being used.

When traveling a distance that involves crossing different time zones, be prepared to make additional adjustments to your child’s eating schedule. No matter what the clock says, your child is going to need their insulin and food on their body’s time. Again, your doctor can help you make a plan for this adjustment and it will be based on the length of your trip, the difference in time zones, and your child.