A Type 1 Diabetic Travels to all 7 Continents

Type 1 diabetes doesn’t have to define who you are and what you do. Just because it’s an auto-immune disease and a disability doesn’t mean you can’t go out and explore and see the world (assuming that’s what you want to do). At first, I thought I was really great for being able to travel around the world in spite of my diabetes, but that isn’t it at all. I have been able to travel around the world. And I have diabetes. They are two separate things. I have visited all seven continents and been in four out of the five oceans. I’ve been lucky enough to do that, for school, for work, and for fun. Having diabetes has made traveling more difficult. It requires more planning, but it doesn’t prevent me from doing it.

Having a disability or a disease doesn’t mean you can’t live a happy and full life, whatever that means to you. To me, that means being able to travel around the world. Not matter how much grief and emotion diabetes has given me over the years, it has also taught me a few things. It has taught me the importance of planning ahead, packing all of the snacks, being observant in a new city to know where to get glucose and food.

North America

This continent was easy, I was born and live in the United States. During my time on this continent, I have traveled to Canada and Mexico, in addition to 30 states within the United States.

Europe

My first international trip was to France when I was in high school. I went with my French class as part of a tour group and was bused around the country. This was in 2006; at the same time France was playing Italy for the World Cup. Most of my class was out in the streets watching the game, it was crazy! So many people, so many large screens, and so many cheers and boos. Luckily, we made it safely back to the hotel before it ended. France lost, and they were not happy about it.

Africa

The first time I went to Africa was to Tanzania. I went with a group that was providing small loans to women and local businesses and health clinics. This was the first time that I had eaten an avocado. Where we were, avocados were easier to get than butter, so for breakfast we all ate toast with avocado. They also had a street food that the leaders would always get, chipsi mayai, fried eggs and French fries. It was a very simple recipe, but it always hit the spot! You can search online to find many versions of this recipe. (It turns out that a lot of my travel memories involve food!)

Asia

Japan was the first country in Asia that I visited. It was incredibly clean and everyone was kind. When I stood in a train station and looked around confused, someone who spoke English approached me to ask if I needed help. A tall white girl standing in the middle of a train station in Japan looking around at all of the signs. I’m sure that was obvious to everyone that I could use some help. (I didn’t get any help when I was at this train station. It was empty….. but we found out way and got to where we needed to go)

South America

During my study abroad program in college, I went to Brazil. As a college student in southern California I was fond of a great pair of flip flops. I bought a pair while I was there in 2010 and to this day, those flip flops are still going strong! I haven’t been able to walk through them, like I have other flip flops. (When I was younger I kept duct taping the growing number of holes at the bottom of a pair of flip flops. When my mom found out, she quickly threw them out. She told me that when your feet touch the ground it’s past time to get a new pair).

Antarctica

The first job I got after graduation that had to do with my marine biology major was to participate in an Antarctic research cruise. When I listened to the voice mail telling me that I got the job, I screamed and jumped around my apartment. It was probably for the best that I wasn’t able to answer the phone call if that’s how I reacted. It was such an outstanding month of my life. I learned so much, made so many connections, and am still friends with and in contact with multiple people on that trip.

Australia

Last of all of the continents was Australia. I went to visit a friend from college who was finishing up her PhD in Tasmania. It is such a beautiful country and I am so grateful for my friend for allowing me to take 2 weeks out of her PhD time (which is a lot!). To this day, my favorite waterfall I have ever seen was in Tasmania. Sadly, I didn’t write down where specifically we saw this waterfall, but here is a picture. (this was before I got a phone with a really good camera, apologies for the quality, but just know that it’s beautiful!)

There will be plenty of more stories about my travels to all seven continents. I hope that by reading my stories it will inspire you to get out and do whatever it is that you want. Whether that be traveling, starting a new hobby, sticking with an existing one, or whatever you want to do. Type 1 diabetes doesn’t define you (or me). It’s not who you are, it’s just a part of you. And you are made up of so many additional parts, and all of those parts together are what make you the person you are.

Please check out my disclaimer and contact a trained medical professional if you have any medical questions.