Work and study considerations Carry all the diabetes supplies you will need in your hand luggage. It can be difficult, though not impossible, to obtain all your diabetes supplies away from home if they are lost. Best to keep them close to hand so you don’t have to waste precious time traipsing around an unknown city. It never hurts to have spares in your checked in luggage in case of mishaps. It is possible to replace lost supplies. If you do find yourself in this predicament, start with a major hospital’s emergency room. They should be able to supply enough to get you through. Alternatively, phone the diabetes organisation where you are and ask someone to explain how you obtain diabetes supplies in their state/country. If heading overseas, you can find contact details for the local organisation in advance by visiting the International Diabetes Federation’s website www.idf.org. Wear ID. Make sure you have some form of identification that says you have diabetes, such as a MedicAlert bracelet, especially if travelling alone. Watch out for hypos. Always carry hypo supplies, especially on long flights, and don’t be afraid to ask the flight attendant for a lemonade or extra food if you need it to manage a hypo. There are hundreds more tips and tricks that you can learn from others with diabetes who have travelled extensively. The T1DN website (www.t1dn.org.au) contains some stories of people’s travels or you can visit the Reality Check forum to ask more specific questions relating to your travel plans.
I have travelled extensively [as a type 1 diabetic] and highly recommend it to everyone! For your diabetes, it’s just about being prepared and always taking 3 times more food/hypo treatments than you think you’ll need as well as insulin/spare pump/ spare everythings and carrying a letter from your doctor explaining about the nature of your medical condition. Sally, Age 47, Diagnosed Age 12
Work As long as you keep your diabetes reasonably well managed you can do most jobs without too much hassle – although some are restricted including commercial pilots or army positions in deployment. Some jobs may require medical evidence to prove that you can do the job safely, such as commercial truck driving. However, like all aspects of diabetes, work can mess with your routines, so it’s important to let your employer know you have diabetes. It’s not compulsory, but it is generally a good idea. Letting your supervisor and a few colleagues know that you have diabetes means that they should be more understanding if you need to take a few extra breaks, and you can let them know what to do in an emergency. Having to explain why you need them to run and get that can of soft drink as you’re going off into hypo-land is never fun. If you feel your employer discriminates against you or treats you unfairly because of diabetes, the Australian Human Rights Commission can investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination. Always keep a stash of food and supplies in your drawer or work fridge (clearly labelled – again talk to your supervisor about this) and something in your bag to make sure you are prepared.
Be prepared. I store extra insulin and a hypo-kit in the fridge at work along with a few stashes of lollies. I have been caught out and it’s the worst having to try and explain what’s happening when you are low. Jackie, Age 41, Diagnosed Age 35
Study The same thing goes for study as for work – it is generally better to let your teacher/lecturer know so that they can be supportive. If you are studying at uni or TAFE, consider registering with the disability services office. You can possibly arrange for extra consideration for exams to allow more frequent breaks, extra time if you have a hypo and not require a medical certificate if you need an extra day for your assignments due to issues with your diabetes. Stress affects diabetes – your medical team will tell you that – so it’s important to know you can get the support you need without feeling like you’re using diabetes as a crutch.
I like to use the weeks leading up to exams to make sure my control is as tight as can be on the day. Kait, Age 23, Diagnosed Age 8
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