Welcome to our chronic illness section of Mouse-aid. This area will host articles relating to various types of chronic illness from crohns, to diabetes, to rheumatoid arthristis and more. Many illnesses can complicate our travel. This section is dedicated to all chronic illness, whether it's yourself or a loved one. Please share your stories with us in an effort to help others. Beth@Mouse-aid.com
Traveling to the Disney Parks with Asthma
By Sarah (Sarahmouse)
So you’re traveling to WDW but have asthma or a child with asthma and you’re not sure what to expect.
I was diagnosed when I was eight years old so I had challenges in childhood that carried on into my adult life. Traveling with asthma or someone with asthma can be scary because not knowing your surroundings makes it difficult to know how to get help if you or your child needs it. Thank goodness WDW is one of the best places to travel when you have any special challenges.
Planning a WDW can be very exciting for children and as most parents know excitement can trigger asthma symptoms. Make sure that children are part of the planning process; but, monitor them carefully for too much excitement causing breathing problems.
Before your trip, I would recommend that you see your doctor to make sure you don’t have any limitations to consider while on vacation. Also, seeing your doctor can make sure that you are current on all of your prescriptions and that medication adjustments are needed. Make sure you have not only your regular asthma medications, but your rescue inhaler and allergy medications if you have asthma that is induced by allergy symptoms. You may not use all of these very often at home, but certainly don’t want to be without it far away from home. You should carry all of your medication with you in your carry on bag. This way if your bags get lost or delayed you are not without your medications.
As you arrive to Florida you might have some issues adjusting to the humid climate. I came from a dry climate and always find my first few breaths of Florida air took some getting used to as it felt heavier to me. This can become a factor with touring the parks. Hotter parts of the year combined with humidity can make people with breathing problems struggle to keep up the pace.
When you check into your resort, let the front desk know if you have any special accommodations that need to be made. If you have nebulizer medication or anything that needs to be refrigerated the resort can either store it for you or provide you with a small fridge in your room. Make sure that you have numbers in your room for emergency services, doctors, and a pharmacy. Also make sure that you take your medications on your same schedule. The excitement of a trip can make you forget a dose putting you at greater risk of problems. If you find yourself in the parks with problems you can go to the first aid centers for help. Not only can they help you if you need medical attention; but they are a good place to sit inside where it’s cool to catch your breath or take your medications.
Some people have smells that will set their asthma symptoms off. Be aware that there are shops in Epcot’s World Showcase that have some strong, unusual smells. France has a perfume shop as well as the UK having unusual soaps, teas, etc. It might be best for you or a child stay outside of these areas to prevent a triggering of breathing troubles.
As with anyone with special needs, WDW is a wonderful and accommodating place to spend your vacation. With many helpful cast members there’s always someone around to help or to answer a question if you are unsure, don’t be afraid to ask.
For more answers please join our forum in chronic illness.