Travels With My Illness

Dear readers,

My new job forces me to travel a lot. I cover the whole of the West of Scotland, so travel extensively both within the boundaries of Glasgow and far beyond. Looking at my travel expenses log today at work got me thinking… how do I do all this with a chronic illness?

A few years ago, I would have thought it impossible that I would be taking multiple trips a week for work purposes. A single trip to Edinburgh, just an hour away by train, was enough to completely drain me of energy for that day. Travel was particularly awkward when I was using crutches, and navigating my way through crowded bus and train stations was just exhausting. But along the way, I’ve learned a few tricks which have made travelling much more enjoyable, to the point that I now love getting out of the office for one of my little adventures.

A key tip is to work out what your needs are, and what you need to arrange to make travel comfortable. Do you use a mobility aid or find standing hard? Reserve a seat at every opportunity. Is it difficult to carry heavy bags, especially on your shoulder? Opt for a lightweight rucksack or even a wheeled suitcase to carry all your essentials. Struggle to keep your energy up after long journeys? Try to break them up with rest breaks, or build in time to rest once you reach your destination. Once you think of all the reasons why travel is awkward or uncomfortable, you can start thinking about solutions!

Another tip is to keep a list of essential items to carry around with you at all times. My list comprises of the items in the photo accompanying this post, and they help to make sure that I stay safe and comfortable on my frequent travels. They include:

· My water bottle. This goes with me absolutely everywhere, because staying hydrated is the key to staving off my frequent headaches and dizziness. It’s also handy if I need to take any tablets.

· My inhaler. This should go without saying, but if you have any essential, life-saving medication (like an inhaler epi-pen or heart medication) you should carry it everywhere you go. Not only does my inhaler ensure that I can run for my train without dying, but simply knowing that I have it helps to keep anxiety at bay.

· My eyedrops. Along with EDS, I have a condition called recurrent uveitis; an inflammatory condition which affects my eyes. Even when I’m not having an active flare-up, I like to keep my eyedrops with me.

· Painkillers. Travelling is sore. I often have to climb stairs, struggle through crowds and walk long distances on my way to meetings. Nothing feels better than knowing that as soon as I get on the train back home, I can take a couple of painkillers to ease the joint pain.

· Tissues. Because I never know when my various allergies are going to act up! Even in the winter, if I have a meeting in a dusty room or find myself sitting beside a smoker, it’s useful to have a packet of tissues for my inevitable sneezing fits.

· Finally, a spare pair of shoes! While I call myself ‘Limping in Heels’ online, the reality is that wearing heels is both really sore and a bit of a safety hazard for me. I have very unstable, flexible ankles, which without the right support can easily bend and cause me to fall over. So whenever I’m wearing my heels outside, I carry a little pair of flat shoes in my bag, so I can walk safely and comfortably while still looking professional.

Your list of essentials might be very different from mine. Items I’ve heard recommended by other chronically ill people include:

· Ice and heat packs

· Something to fidget with

· Extra layers, like additional socks, jumpers, hoodies etc.

· A face mask to protect from allergies and pollution

Have a think about what would be on your essential travel list! Because that’s how I do it. By making sure I’ve always got what I need, and by resting in between periods of intense travel, I’ve managed to fit into a role which involves travelling the length and breadth of a beautiful part of the country, doing things I never thought possible.

Thanks for reading,

Rebecca