Talk me down: how the hell do we do this?

[eyeslikebutterflies]

OK I need some lovely, calm and wise MNetters to talk me down / tell me to get a grip. DS diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year. Diagnosed with coeliac disease 2 weeks ago. We're going on our first holiday since covid AND diagnosis, in July. Abroad. Europe. Flying from the world's worst airport: Manchester. I am doing SO MUCH planning as I have read horror story after horror story about that particular airport (with one memorable story focusing on airport security telling a 13 yr old that her diabetes medication would cause the plane to crash because it couldn't go in the hold....). But I am starting to panic now, with all the shit shows that keep on happening in airports, and that's without having a kid in tow whose whole life has been turned upside down twice in the space of a year.

So far I have:

• Contacted Manchester Airport, 2 months ago - no reply yet


• Negotiating a waiver letter with the airline that says he can have an extra bag to carry on his medication (it can't go in the hold - the temperature will destroy it plus we can't risk it going missing - there's a LOT to take).


• Have a letter from his consultant, saying he has to carry his medication with him, and that he can't go through a scanner due to wearing a continuous glucose monitor (can't be removed from the body, will be broken by the scanner).


• Have copies of his prescriptions.


• Have UK government guidelines printed out re. glucose monitors, scanners and carrying medication.


• Have airport and airline's own regulations printed out, in case we encounter a jobsworth.


• Have a copy of the Diabetes UK guidelines for airports.


• Have checked on the airport and apparently we should get fast-tracked if we can find my son a lanyard that signals invisible disability. Note that I'm not arsed about queue jumping, I'm just worried it will take us a lot longer to get through security due the fact that DS carries needles, liquid meds and can't go through a scanner!

My whole message to my DS since diagnosis no. 1 is that - life goes on, and your life will be no different, we just need to plan a bit more. I so want his first experience of travelling with these shitty diseases to go smoothly, but I keep waking up thinking - what if it's not. What else can I do? What have I forgotten? Does anyone have any advice / experience of flying with T1? THANK YOU WISE MUMSNETTERS.

Insulin pumps and cgms through airports can be a bit difficult sometimes. It sounds like you've got everything in hand. There is a medical card that you can use too but it's a bit hit and miss and Manchester has a crappy reputation. jdrf.org.uk/stories/the-medical-device-awareness-card-making-airport-travel-easier-for-people-with-type-1/ Some adults just let their pump and sensors go through the X-ray but you are entitled to ask for a pat down. I'd say we've had about 50% good experiences and 50% really stressful ones. Check on the websites for the kit your son uses (e.g. Dexcom, Medtronic, T-Slim) and see if they have any specific guidance you can print out. Have a lovely time. It'll be worth it.