Stories

Get out there!

Wed 1 Mar 2017

Travelling is one of the most rewarding experiences I believe you can have in life. It is important you don't let your haemophilia stop you from exploring the world! I myself have haemophilia and I am a massive believer in not letting that get in the way of anything. A few simple steps can be taken to ensure that you are able to stay on top when away from home.

I encourage you to speak to your Haemophilia Treatment Centre about where you plan to travel. They will be able to help you prepare any documents that you need and they will be able to help you plan for your visit and let you know what to do and how to be prepared for particular countries or airlines.*

When transporting product, chances are you don't want to end up in a foreign prison!  Best way to avoid any hold ups is to ensure you have tonnes of documentation explaining why you have the gear. I just declare my treatment to anyone who might find it in my bag. I find language barriers can cause confusion, so being overtly open about transporting medication defuses any possible issues. Again, your Haemophilia Treatment Centre will be able to provide you with all the necessary documentation about your treatment.

The least fun thing to have in the back of your mind but perhaps the most important, is to be a little bit careful. You are likely thousands of kilometres away from home and when travelling it is easy to get carried away in a good moment. The last thing you want to do is end up with a bad injury in a foreign country; immerse yourself in the culture and experience everything you can, but it pays off to double check your decisions.

Get out there! 

Planning to travel? Don’t forget about travel insurance:
Make sure you read the fine print  and know what you are covered for, and what you aren’t (such as riding a motorbike)

* Keep in mind that travelling in a developing country can be challenging and many countries don’t have haemophilia treatmnet centres. You might be surprised to learn that the level of care is not the same as what you are used to, or there are costs involved for medical care. It is important to talk to your haemophilia treatment centre as they will be able to help you plan and advise you on what needs to be done.

Visit www.smarttraveller.gov.au for more information

Planning to travel soon? Read the travel section for important information on how to prepare and what to do.