Not only were we still shell-shocked with the diagnosis and not really understanding of how to manage our son’s condition (turns out what we learned in Thailand was pretty lacking), but we had certainly never had to carry needles onto a plane.

We survived all 17 hours of the flight however and here’s how we did it:

1) Organized: We were very organized with all of our gear and snacks. We separated out all of our needles and insulin (pens and syringes) and we separated out a couple cartons of juice and some snacks. We had all of this in an individual bag.

2) Prepared with Documentation: We had 2 copies of a note from our physician there in Thailand, both in Thai and in English. The note clearly explained that our son had diabetes and that it was necessary for him to take insulin via injection at regular intervals. This note was absolutely necessary getting through security and on-board.

3) Open: We were very open at each stage of boarding our plane. Before getting to the airport we called the airline and alerted them. When we checked in, they saw the note in our file and we once again reminded them of our need to carry needles onto the plane. At security, before getting in line, we alerted the officials and they worked with us to move through the line and the bag checks. When we arrived at the gate we told them once again of our situation.

4) Persistent: When we got to the gate, the cabin crew required us to surrender our insulin and syringes, explaining to us that they would hold the medication with the head crew member. We accepted this, but before the doors of the plane closed, we sought out the cabin crew manager and had her physically show us that she had possession of our insulin. Soon after takeoff, she actually came by our seats and gave us all the medication to hold onto.

Once we were in possession of everything we needed, we simply managed as normal, giving our son his injections right in his seat. And with all long flights, we made a point of getting up and walking around in order to keep our legs and minds fresh.

There were a lot of steps to go through to get our insulin on a plane, explain our situation to the airline, and ensure we could manage our son’s diabetes in a normal fashion. But with a little forethought and persistence, we found that traveling with diabetes on a plane was not that difficult.

Author: James Hirsch

Review: Very good

James Hirsch has been surrounded by diabetes his entire life.  He was diagnosed with Type 1 at age 11, his older brother is a leading diabetologist, and as he was researching this book, his 3-year-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 as well.  It would be very easy to expect him to write a passionate portrayal of life with diabetes.  But Mr. Hirsch is also a well known and respected journalist for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal and as such he is able to combine his own life experience with well documented and researched thoughts and information about the state of diabetes in our society.

Mr. Hirsch’s personal journey was a comfort as I read his book on the plane flying to join my newly diagnosed son in the hospital.   At the time I knew very little about diabetes and held all the typical fears associated with knowing your child is suffering from a lifelong and potentially debilitating disease.  Mr. Hirsch’s ability to convey his own emotions associated with tending to his son as well as his ability to place the disease within the larger aspects of his own successful life (it just becomes another aspect of you), helped to calm my fears and set me down a path with a set of principles that I too hope will help my child excel.

Along with his inside story however was Mr. Hirsch’s excellent detailing of the history and research behind the disease.   I had no idea how brutal this disease was just a half century ago and had no idea the endurance exhibited by my previous generation.  In detailing the history, Mr. Hirsch also provides a very straightforward explanation of the causes and management of diabetes.  By the time I had landed I was well armed to question the doctors that were looking after my son.

The final few chapters of Cheating Destiny start to take on more of Mr. Hirsch’s own views and personality as they explore the current research and politics surrounding the disease.  Science and academia are rife with political behavior and I commend the fact that Mr. Hirsch did not shy away from stating his own views of the issues.  Not everyone will agree with those views, but I feel it’s always better to have the viewpoints of the author be explicit so you’re sure where they are coming from.

For a parent of a child with diabetes or anyone who wants to learn more about it, this is a book that will enable you to get emotionally drawn in while at the same time gaining a true understanding of the magnitude and manageability of this disease.