What it’s Like Traveling with a Diabetic – Alyssa Interview Part 2

If you haven’t read the first part of this travel interview you can do that here – Alyssa Interview Part 1.

The best advice my travel companions, the Alyssas, can give is, “ask questions, be flexible, don’t be a dick.” It’s short and sweet, and I think it’s good advice. As the conversation continued these three things turned into Emily’s Three Laws of Diabetes. They’re good for traveling with a diabetic, and they’re also good for literally everything else.

If you don’t believe me, the third law of Emily’s Three Laws of Diabetes is actually Wheaton’s Law. Wil Wheaton, the actor, writer, and nerd has declared “Don’t be a dick” Wheaton’s Law.

Where Have We Traveled Together?

The Alyssas (as I call them) are qualified to give advice on how best to travel with a type 1 diabetic because we’ve done a lot of traveling together. The three of us have been on five trips together. From the Channel Islands off the Coast of California to New Mexico.

Separately, Alyssa 0 and I have been on six trips together. (And Alyssa 0 and I lived together for a couple years.) Alyssa 1 and I have been on four trips together. Needless to say, we’ve all traveled together a lot over the past 14 years.

Out of the total of 15 trips we’ve been on, 11 of these trips involved camping. A type of travel that takes more planning and flexibility, regardless if you have diabetes or not.

Y’all, This Isn’t a Competition

One question I asked was how traveling with me has taught them about themselves and society. Even though I told them this question in advance, they still had to think about it.

Fun fact: this was the point the two of them turned the interview into a competition. They asked what the correct answer was to this and other questions.

I didn’t realize I would have to tell them that there were no correct answers. They just had to answer truthfully for them. They also went on to proclaim which of the two of them had the better answer.

I reminded them, “if you’re turning it into a competition, that’s on you.” After dramatically rolling my eyes, we continued.

What Has Traveling with Me Taught You?

After some deliberation and back and forth the Alyssas came to the conclusion that you need to be empathetic and care about things outside of yourself. No matter who you’re with or where you are, “seeking out experiences outside of your personal bubble,” is good.

When traveling with a diabetic, it’s important to get involved and know what’s going on. The best way you can do this is by asking questions (Emily’s first law of diabetes) and getting involved. “I like getting updates, frequent updates about your blood sugar,” says Alyssa. Which is a perfect example of getting involved.

Just like the interview with my brother, the conversation turned to ranting about the American Medical System. But we don’t need to get into that here.  

As a Diabetic, Where Shouldn’t I Go?

Before my friends answered where I shouldn’t go, they made it clear that if I wanted to go somewhere, nothing would stop me. (I’m glad my stubbornness was their first thought. They were kind and didn’t use the word stubborn, they instead used the word “willful”.)

Their next thought was to say I shouldn’t go to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Which I get, but that’s not a real place, so I made them give a real answer.

Alyssa’s real answer is, “there are places you shouldn’t go regardless of whether you have diabetes or not. Because there’s just always going to be places that aren’t necessarily accessible or friendly to particular people.”

We’re so Happy We Had This Interview

All three of us were very happy we had this interview. It turned into an almost two-hour conversation. This conversation was something we all should have had a long time ago. We learned a lot about ourselves, and feelings towards diabetes and traveling.

As a diabetic, I personally recommend having an in-depth conversation about diabetes and all the potential complications with all of your travel companions. Be ready to ask questions, be flexible, get involved, and most importantly, don’t be a dick.

If you have any questions before you travel, as a diabetic or a friend of one, please have a conversation with your doctor. Disclaimer