March/April 2002
Page 1
Travel Tips for Ostomates during Heightened Security
In these days where extra precautions for security are being taken worldwide, it would be wise for traveling ostomates to do advance planning in order to avoid possible problems. Some suggestions are:
- Pre-cut all pouches at home, so scissors are not necessary in your carry-on luggage.
- Pack ostomy supplies in at least 2 places - carry-on and checked luggage.
- Take extra supplies in case you are stranded where supplies may not be available.
- A statement from your physician stating your need for ostomy supplies might be helpful, also a statement advocating a private area be used in case of an extensivesearch. UOA produces a wallet-sized "Traveler's Card" with this information that can be obtained by contacting the UOA office or your local chapter.
- If traveling to a foreign country, it is a good idea to have critical ostomy information written in the local language. One of the 70 member associations of the International Ostomy Association (IOA) may be of help with this translation as well as with locating supplies while visiting their country.
- A copy of Yes We Can, available through UOA Canada, has many helpful hints and advice for traveling and also has a dictionary of ostomy terms translated to several different languages. There is important contact information for resources worldwide as well as a wallet-sized statement written in 11 languages that asks for privacy if a search is to be conducted.
So go, enjoy, but be a good scout and "Be Prepared."
Editor's note: Yes We Can is available through the WOA library which is on display at our meetings.
Via UOA webpages (www.uoa.org/news/travel-security.html), via Inside Out On-line March/April 2002
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