Health and Landscape Photography.
This is something that, from the people that know, ask me a lot of questions. See, i am an insulin dependent diabetic. So, I get asked how do you handle this while hiking, camping and shooting. It can be done, very manageable , but also very hard.. and at times scary.
You have to plan.. and often times plan for the worst. It can be challenging. Unused insulin needs to be kept cold, supplies must be packed along. Insulin pens, needles, meds that go with the insulin, a container to pack out your used needles. All, of which take up space and add weight. Then you need to not only worry, but plan on the common the side effect of taking insulin, and that is rapid lows.. or quickly falling blood sugar. Dizziness, cold sweats, confusion, failing eye sight, feeling of passing out, shakes… all of which could happen miles away from help, often times in bear country. That leads to another issue… bringing along proper snacks, glucose shots or tablets … all to help you combat these lows… all of which again, takes up weight and space… and bears can smell. In these areas a bear bin is a must for these.
Often times when I know I’m going to be a a longer hike or shooting location, with talking to my doctor , I will lower my dosage of insulin. To help lessen the chance of these lows happening. But, always consult your doctor first. Changing blood sugar can be a very frustrating thing.. exhaustion, irritation, dizziness, confusion, shaking, blind spots in your eyes, can be a very very scary thing in the woods or mountains.. and if you are like me.. always alone.. can be even scarier.. To be totally honest, and I don’t heed my own advice.. if you are an insulin defendant diabetic.. I DO NOT recommend you go alone.. I have had this condition all my life and feel i can manage in these situations, though i have had some very scary instances over the years… and honestly as i grow older.. they do get more frequent .
Some things I do, when traveling, hiking and shooting alone.. I always when possible try to let someone know where I am going , when i plan to return. I adjust insulin and med levels to try and combat possible lows.. I have a Garmin InReach Mini 2 that will allow me to send for help by satellite in case of a dire emergency.. I carry my snacks, meds, insulin, emergency glucose in a good bear bin. Most importantly i listen to my body.. what warnings it is sending me. Have a level head and no self ego… know when you are pushing it too hard.
To be honest, the absolute hardest part of the whole thing is.. Realizing.. and it sucks… but there are and will be things you just can’t do like a “normal” person would be able too. No matter what someone tells you your capable of, unfortunately your body set limits on you.. It is up to you to make the best of the situation , be sensible , be smart, be cautious , and just be all the YOU you can be….
