Even three medical conditions won’t stop my mum from travelling

Travel writer, Teresa Machan, interviews her mum, Christina, to learn how she remains an avid traveller despite her medical conditions. Here’s how she does it.

My 73-year-old mum loves to travel, even though she’s been living with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and bronchiectasis for 28 years. While her adventures with Dad might not be as spontaneous or far-flung as they used to be, she’s still a huge inspiration.

I recently chatted with her about how these conditions have affected her travels and what advice she has for others who might be hesitant about travelling with health issues.

How do you plan a holiday with a medical condition?

“Planning a holiday was always easy. If your father and I saw something we liked within our price range, we booked it – usually two or three months before travelling.

“We return to Greece most years and are never disappointed. We love being there – finding new islands to explore, hiring a car in search of villages, quiet harbours and traditional mountain restaurants.

“Back in the 1990s, we travelled further afield. As you’ll remember, Teresa, when you lived in Asia, we travelled there a couple of times. I also visited you when you were backpacking in Australia.

“Now, if we see something we like, we work around the obstacles. I know my limitations so I tend not to choose something that would make a holiday less of a holiday. I might contact the provider and ask about walking distances on tours, or steps with rails at a guest house or hotel, for example.”

How do you manage your medical conditions when on holiday?

“I have several medical conditions requiring medication and planning for travel. Bronchiectasis, a lung condition, is managed with antibiotics and inhalers. The Sjögren’s requires eye drops and regular sips of water. My most challenging condition is severe spinal stenosis, which makes walking and stairs difficult.

“Your Dad and I love to walk, but we’ve had to adapt our travels. Steep steps, narrow paths and cobblestones can be tricky. Sometimes I relax by the hotel pool with my Kindle while he explores. This has given me time to read, something I never had time for on holiday before.

“The biggest concern for me on trips is the mattress. If it’s too hard, I have trouble sleeping, which affects my mobility and arthritis.”

Have your holiday habits changed because of your health conditions?

“We used to dash about a lot as we had more energy. These days we prefer a bit more luxury. For example, we enjoy the environment and taking day trips in a hire car. It’s less demanding and we can go at our own pace. 

“We also enjoy cruising now. It suits my condition. Your Dad, who is more physically able, can go on as many excursions as he likes while I chill by the pool, use the spa, enjoy the library or watch a film. Flying to the cruise ship can be managed by booking assistance at the airport.”

What do you do about health insurance when you travel?

“We are both covered up to the age of 80 with our insurance policy.
Each year I update our current insurer with our conditions. We’re aware that insurance from the age of 80 will be trickier. I may need to look at specialist travel insurance that considers my medical conditions.

“I would hope travel policies are adapting, because so many people in my generation are continuing to travel later in life.”

Do your medical conditions or insurance limit where you can travel?

“I've had three medical insurance claims in 20 years without issue. While we haven’t consciously limited our travel, we realise our choices have been influenced by my health. We’d like to visit Japan, but long-haul flights in economy class could be uncomfortable due to my conditions. Business class would be necessary to minimise discomfort and ensure I can enjoy the rest of the trip. If you want to prevent conditions from becoming a problem, you have to accept it comes at a cost.”

What tips do you have for travelling with medical conditions?

“I would say, be brave. Always travel with a watertight insurance policy. Recognise and respect your physical limits and accept there are things you may not be able to do. Stay for longer to give your body time to recover. Take reading material and your own pillows if you need to! I pay for extra luggage to accommodate a pillow and roll-up mattress.

“Although I find the first day or two a bit uncomfortable, the change of scenery and sunshine outweigh that.”

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