type 1 diabetics & amusement parks ?

Question

hello, PLEASE READ, it will mean a lot to me.
i have type 1 diabetes (for 5 months). My friend's youth group is going to kings island in Cincinnati, Ohio on the 8th. It is 2 hours from my home. My parents would not be going and they don't know if i can go yet becuase of my diabetes and who will help me if i need it becase they aren't there. i would only need help if i was too low that i couldn't do it myself becuase i'm 16 years old and responsible. My best friends are going and they know what to do.

i would bring a drawstring bag for my stuff. but what do i do with it on rides? how do i keep my insulin cold(it'll be 90degrees F) ? how do i convince my parents to let me go( i can take care of myself) ?

THANK YOU ! i really want to go and enjoy it like my normal friends :/

Answer 1

You keep your insulin in a cooler, or buy a special little case for it called a Frio. My son's diabetes educator carries them, see www.integrateddiabetes.com.

If you know how to take care of your diabetes and you are with people who understand what your issues are then your parents should let you go, however, you are newly diagnosed and your parents are rightfully concerned so they may not be able to let you go all day to someplace they can't get to fast in case of emergency.

Sit down and talk to your parents and explain that you feel responsible and you will never be alone in the park. Can one of them go as chaperone?

You may not be able to convince them because they are new to diabetes and they have as much to learn as you do about living with diabetes.

By the way, even though you have diabetes you are still NORMAL!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Create a kit that you can wear in a fanny pack or something else you can secure on your body for rides. Your insulin wont go bad in one day exposed to heat, but to be safe, you can either use an insulin cooler, or throw out the insulin sooner than normal (within two weeks of opening the pen, instead of within a month, should be fine) to keep it safe.



Also keep glucose tablets on hand incase you go low, and keep a glucagon kit with you! If you don't know what a glucagon kit is, or don't own one, talk to your endocrinologist, and ask them how to teach your friends to use it incase you ever become too low to help yourself. Obviously, also keep your glucose meter in your bag. If you don't have a medical ID stating that you're a type 1, get one, and start wearing it all the time, not just at the park!



You definitely can go to amusement parks and have fun! You're super new to the diabetes thing right now, so your parents are being overly protective of you. Show them that you're prepared and responsible, show them that you can be consistent in testing and will test when you are out, and remind them that you can live a normal life with diabetes as long as you are a prepared and responsible person.



Have fun on the rides.

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

Contrary to what most people are saying, I think that could be true! You're not born diabetic as such, but it's likely we're born with a genetic print that is just waiting for a trigger. We could go decades, or maybe our whole lives, without meeting the trigger that causes the auto-immune reaction... or we may get a virus (Or whatever causes T1 D - we don't know for sure yet) at a young age and be diabetic from then on. To all who think you can cure diabetes with diet and exercise... please be aware that we're talking about type 1 diabetes which is an auto-immune disease and can happen to ANYONE at any time, regardless of their diet and exercise levels. It is *not* curable... yet! A type 1 diabetic can not produce their own insulin. They will be on insulin injections or a pump for the rest of their lives... or at least until some wonderful people come up with a cure!

Answer 6

You said it yourself. Your best friends are going and they know what to do. Just bring your glucagon shot with you and tell them that if you faint or something due to a low, they need to give you the shot. Remember, they are your best friends........they wouldn't mind.



Also, check your blood sugar more at the amusement park, especially right before rides.



As for insulin shots, it'll be a bit tricky. I'm sure you are fine doing them in front of your friends and they understand. For keeping the insulin cold, bring a couple of thermos's (you can buy them at stores like Target). Fill them up with ice but put a cloth over the ice and have the insulin rest on the cloth so it doesn't freeze. I'm sure there will be a trip back to the car at some point and you could switch thermos's or something just in case.



For rides, you can get a medical pass for your bag at the Customer Service booth before you enter. It makes going through security much easier and you will be allowed to take the bag through lines.



I remember going to an amusement park with my friends and it was easier than I thought with my diabetes. Just relax and have fun!

Answer 7

There is a lot of stuff on the internet that is basically fat-shaming diabetics for causing their own diabetes with their bad diet and lack of exercise and general lack of moral fibre. A lot of this stuff is written by non-doctors, often with a supplement or diet or training plan to sell that they claim will completely cure diabetes if only people stick to it.



I read this interesting book https://tr.im/jFuVF that gave me a lot of useful tips about my disease and also a different perspective on the best therapeutical approach. I think you should read it too. 



I hope it helps

Answer 8

I agree with what has already been written but would add, I always have glucose tablets with me in case of a low, easy to pop into your mouth whenever you need. There are various insulin/insulin pen cool packs - try this one: http://diabetic-style.com/

Answer 9

#1 Food That Reverses Diabetes : http://Help.DiabetesGoGo.com

Answer 10

Answer --> http://DiabetesGoGo.com/?OGMV