The Hamilton, Ontario-based G Adventurescustomer operations assistant manager says its all about thinking one step ahead.
I was 12 when I started feeling down with low energy.
When I mentioned I was thirsty all the time, something clicked for my mom.
Krista Llewellyn while on a canoe boat and scuba diving.Credit:Krista Llewellyn/Travel + Leisure
During that trip, I went on a meditation retreat inJaipur, India.
I had taken a vow of noble silence, as had everyone else who checked into the center.
I sat still,meditating for 10 days straight.
Krista Llewellyn while on a Tent Ridge look out in Alberta, Canada.Krista Llewellyn/Travel + Leisure
It was challenging, but a wonderful experience.
From there, I was already planning the next trip.
That means, theres a certain amount of auto adjustment that happens in the background throughout the day.
Krista Llewellyn skydiving.Krista Llewellyn/Travel + Leisure
Theres still a lot of manual work.
But now, I can eat mostly whatever I want, whenever I want.
It kicks in when the food is digesting and balances my levels.
Krista Llewellyn jumping in front of a cruise ship in Antarctica.Krista Llewellyn/Travel + Leisure
When I was first diagnosed, I was on multiple daily injections, which is a lot more manual.
I used to have to think more about what and when I ate.
There are also daily variables, including stress, which can throw things off.
Now, I can just look down and see if Im a bit higher or lower.
Its become a lot easier and more flexible, especially for travel.
Still, there are a few things I do when I’m on the road.
No matter what Im doing or where Im going, I prepare myself for the worst-case scenario.
I always keep candy, soda pop, or juice on me.
If not, I have to have it on my person.
Someone else has to administer it if youre unconscious and unable to consume food.
Since Ive been proactive, Ive been lucky to have never been in that situation.
The scariest and only real hospitalization I’ve ever had from low blood sugar was in Laos.
It wasnt the destination or the activities, as much as a combination of unfortunate events.
The levels were the lowest they had ever been, and I actually administered the emergency pen myself.
Friends who I was traveling with brought me to the hospital.
Thankfully, everything stabilized by the time I got there.
I remember waking up in the hospital room with lizards on the walls and bugs everywhere.
Lizards are actually great they eat the bugs.
I’ve also come to lovescuba diving around the world.
Again, this is where preplanning comes in.
Most dives at my level are between 30 and 45 minutes.
Then, Ill test to see to it my levels are stable.
You have to trust your body more than anything.
If I feel like Im crashing or cant seem to stabilize, Ill call off the dive.
Thats just the reality.
It’s not something where you could take risks, even not as a diabetic.
If you’re not going into a dive feeling confident, it’s not going to go well.
you could’t just turn the ship around and bring someone home.
They’ll be like, “Do you have any clothes in there?”
And Im like, I have two T-shirts I’m rotating between and the rest of it is supplies.
But this is what I have to do to make space in my luggage.
You do what you could.
Everyone travels for different reasons some to escape, and others to find something.
I’ve traveled for both of these reasons and met people along the way as a result.
But the most powerful thing is connection.
I’ve had a lot of smiles and thumbs up around the world over a can of Coca-Cola.
