Hi, my name is LilyS! Travelling with son abroad

LilyS

Hi. I’ve joined the community as the mother of a son with Cerebral Palsy and hydrocephalus. He has a VP shunt. I always get concerned about travel as I worry about him having problems with his shunt whilst abroad and if the country we are visiting would have neurosurgical facilities. Has anyone any advice about places that should absolutely be avoided ? He’s been invited to Crete next year not I have concerns about the hospital facilities there but at the same time I want him to be able to visit different places

LilyS

Thank you so much.

Rosie_Scope

Welcome to the community @LilyS! Richard and Lucy are definitely the people to chat to for Cerebral Palsy related issues, but I just wanted to say hello anyway!

As Bluebell21 mentioned, we have a Cerebral Palsy network that you might like to have a look at:

https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/cerebralpalsy

I hope you'll enjoy your time on the community 😊

LilyS

Thank you. It’s more the shunt issue that I am concerned about at the moment. Especially in relation to travel abroad.

Lucy_Scope

Hi @LilyS,

Firstly it is completely normal to feel nervous about traveling with heath problems. You are definitely not alone.

It is worth getting advice from his medical team - they can give practical advice and maybe medical teams they know of in Crete.

In terms of traveling, you can request assistance up to 48 hours before you travel this can be completed through the airline. The airport can also provide assistance such as through security and boarding.

Make sure you have a copy of his medical records just in case it is needed.

Check for local hospitals that are close to where you are staying to give you some assurance.

I have also found some good blogs which may be useful: Traveling with hydrocephalus, traveling with a shunt.

Take care,

Lucy

LilyS

Thank you. I’m sure this will be very useful.

Watson660

Lucy's suggestion is excellent. Knowing the location of the closest hospital can be quite helpful when traveling overseas, therefore I believe that kind of advance planning really reduces anxiety.