If this is your first time visiting this blog because you want to know about my DBS journey, please go right down to the first blog (Backpedalling), and read from there up...that's where all the interesting stuff is!
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's 12 years ago, I have done a lot of traveling both locally and overseas.Living in Australia, this is no mean feat; it is 15 hours straight to The USA, and can be up to 25 hours to London, depending on how long the stopover is.
My mantra is; "Just go, sit there, do it". Whilst the ideal scenario would be to purchase a Business Class Ticket, the average person cannot afford the luxury, so here are my tips for traveling.
Travel Insurance
Don't leave home without it.
If relying on your Credit Card for insurance, read the fine print.
I use Covermore, and they put a small premium on top; not much.
DBS does not enter into the equation. I was told that it was Parkinson's that I had to declare, not DBS.
Hospitals, doctors, missed flights etc can be very costly. It is a MUST!!!
Medication
My husband always insists that I get a letter from my doctor, stating which meds I take, how often, and what strength. This is not just a precaution when going through customs, but also may come in handy if an emergency came up. If hospitalised, all info would be there. I keep it with my passport. Having said that, noone has ever asked me for it. But you never know...
If you are one to forget when you took your meds, pack them into weekly dosettes, and keep a day's worth in your handbag/backpack. With time changes, this is handy.
I always pack HALF in my suitcase, and HALF in my hand luggage; that way if one goes missing, i have the other half.
ALWAYS leave meds in original boxes. (besides the day's doses).Therefore, I have TWO boxes of everything, packed into 2 makeup purses.
When taking long flights, and skipping over time shits, I take my meds every 4 hours when awake, and start my day's meds with breakfast on the plane, which usually is before landing. If landing late at night after an extra long flight, I take a normal daily dose, to last til bed time. Either way, this usually only ends up being one extra dose taken.
DBS Charger (if applicable)
This is the situation that makes me dislike the rechargeable battery so much, and this trip I think I made it better for myself.
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Medtronics provide a carry bag for it similar to a camera bag. Whilst traveling interstate, I loathed it because it was something else to carry. With a suitcase, an overnight bag and a handbag to worry about, I did not need a fourth bag to carry.
This trip I solved the problem!
I removed the charger from the bag, and packed it flat into a toiletry bag I found.
Then I put it in my overnight bag. Voila! One less bag to carry and put through the airport screening.
Now I only had to remember to charge the charger at the hotels. (remember an adapter), and find the time to charge it! If hiring a car or going on a bus tour, an excellent time to charge is when traveling as a passenger. You have to sit still for hours, so make the most of it.
Going Through Airport Security
If you have had DBS, you cannot pass through airport security. Your device can be switch off, or ruined.
I always carry my DBS ID Card with me, and flash it at the attendants with the words, "Pacemaker!"
I don't bother going into DBS; many have never heard of it. Sometimes I say "Pacemaker to the brain" in conversation, but these people are well versed in Pacemakers, and the result is the same; you will be searched by an attendant of the same sex as you.
Just cooperate and enjoy the ride!
Dont Overdo It
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| Resting at Muckross House, Killarney, Ireland |
If you don't get much sleep (like me), schedule a morning and afternoon activity, with a hotel rest in-between. Not always possible, I know. If on a bus tour, sleep in the bus. A 15 minute 'nanna nap' does wonders.
And if going to The Theatre in London, New York or anywhere else, make sure your day is a light one, with a proper rest. You don't want to be nodding off during "The Book of Mormons" Hm hm...
Phones
My husband and I spent a long time investigating whether or not to take our phones.
We often split even for short times; he likes Galleries, I like shops! Even when shopping, we split; he takes too long in book shops. We needed to be in touch not just because of my Parkinson's, but just to know where we were.
Four years ago, before DBS, we were in Prague without phones, I came across a cobbled street. It was not particularly busy with traffic, but I just could not step across it. I stood there frozen for almost 30 minutes while my husband waited for me in a restaurant. Usually the solution to this predicament was to get down on my hands and knees and crawl, but I thought this action inappropriate in a main City street where I couldn't speak the language. However, frustrated at the situation, I eventually did just that, and arrived at the restaurant 40 minutes late, in an agitated state, to a very concerned husband.
So we decided that this time we needed a phone, but with Roaming Charges so high, it was recommended that we leave our SIM Cards at home.
When I traveled to America, years ago, it was cheaper to buy an inexpensive phone at Walmart, which included a SIM Card, but traveling across Europe, poses a dilemma; each country requires its own SIM. They are not compatible. Even Ireland and England required different SIMS.We discovered that there are a range of International SIM Cards, and I diligently compared all rates. We both have iPhones, and taking them proved to be a great idea. Not only could we ring/SMS each other, but under our Hotel's WIFI, we could keep in touch with family and friends via email, Whatsapp, Skype etc. Sure we had a laptop and an iPad, but we could take our phones down to breakfast and chat to family and friends, use the phone as a GPS, and look up travel info on the go.
Here in Australia, I found The Safeway Card the best, but there are lots out there, and they work well in all countries.
OK, I admit it... my husband and I flew Business Class to London this year; but we did not pay for the ticket. We flew to London via Hong Kong , and back via Singapore on Frequent Flyer points.
These points, or 'miles', were earned NOT by flying, but by spending on our credit cards. Check carefully if your credit cards are working for you, and link your Frequent Flyer card to as many services as possible.
In my case, I have a QANTAS Frequent Flyer Card, With both my VISA and AMEX connected. In addition, my phone provider (Optus) gives me points every month. I also receive points every time I shop at the Supermarket (Safeway). When hiring a car overseas, I choose one which offers points, and some Hotels do too. It's amazing how quickly these points accumulate with the right cards, through every day spending.
We only had to pay the taxes.
It will be hard to go back to economy next time....
