Hi there - just wondering if there was anyone out there that could offer some words of wisdom when it comes to taking a child with a trachy on holiday?
We're going to France in 2 weeks with our son Luis who is 1, we're travelling by ferry (don't want to tackle an airport just yet!) and driving down to the Vendee for one week then back up to Brittany for a second week. I've let the ferry company know about Luis' condition, we have the details for the hospitals in both areas and our paediatrician will contact them, he's also suggested plotting the hospitals en route as a back up for the journey. We've got specialist travel insurance through All Clear (thanks to ACT) and Luis also has an EHIC card. Our community team have been fantastic and we've had all of his supplies for the holiday delivered already. We're getting a summary letter of his condition from the hospital that we're going to get translated into French (la tracheostomy!) and we're doing a holiday emergency contact numbers list - there's just so much to think about and I've not even started on general holiday things such as suntan lotion!
Are there any fellow trachy parents out there that have any hot tips? Is anyone willing to share their holiday experiences, good or bad? Has anyone travelled to the same areas with their trachy kid? Your advice would be really, really appreciated.
Look forward to hearing from you - Helen, Nigel & Luis x
5 comments:
I have immediately forwarded your message by email to our Secretary who will ensure you get some advice. I am sure all will go well for you all and you are able to enjoy your holiday in Brittany,
Webmaster.
Hi Helen!
I will post you an old newsletter which has 2 small articles from families about their travelling experiences - both travelled by plane but hope their advice might be helpful for you. Hopefully other members will reply to your message but I can always put you in touch with another family who has experience of travelling abroad if this would be useful. Sounds as if you have already thought of most eventualities for France and I hope you will all have a very happy holiday without incident. Just an idea, maybe when you get to your destination, you could seek out and befriend someone locally who speaks good English and who you could get hold of in an emergency to translate for you.
Amanda
You seem very organised. I hope you hve a fantastic holiday and we you return and come up for air, can you send me your holiday story for the Newletter.
Best wishes
June
New email for the newsletter is:
terry_june@hotmail.co.uk
Hello Helen,
You do seem pretty well organised!
Do you have enough european plug adaptors?
What about a spare humidifier (if used)?
We have just returned from our first Spanish family holiday and we took two copies of the passports and insurances etc (one each in two bags) and asked a friend to hold a third copy with the full insurance booklet - quite possibly excessive for some, but we certainly didn't have to wory about lost documents etc.
Enjoy your holiday.
Regards,
Kevin.
Looks like you are pretty well organised for your trip, hope you have fun. It would be lovely to hear of your experiences when you return as we are planning to travel to France next summer with Sam, who has just come off daytime oxygen after 4 years! We've only holidayed in the uk because of the oxygen requirement, but think that overseas is a possibility for next year now we just have the trach and g-tube to deal with.
Juliex
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