Words by Cassia Percival-Day (she/her)
I feel like festivals, gigs and raving culture can seem like an intimidating and almost exclusionary space (hello geography degree). It is not perceived as suited to people living with a disability. However, anyone with lived experience of a disability knows that the ‘challenges’ are not about you inherently, but the limitations created by society. Everyone deserves the right to go out and have fun, and everyone can! It may just require some extra thinking and a bit more planning for those with experience of disability.
These are my nuggets of wisdom that I have gathered from my personal lived experience.
Everyone has unique requirements and this will not be completely inclusive. I’m a Type 1 Diabetic which means I will face different challenges than someone with a different lived experience. Disability is a very broad umbrella term, so take the advice that serves you. That being said, I would like to think this advice is useful to anyone. Even if you don’t have lived experience, hopefully you will take on board something that can help you or a friend.
This advice has come from my experiences of festivals, gigs & parties but could be applied to anything from one epic night to a multi-day festival.
Go with good friends or people you trust
They don’t have to know how to perform CPR or the intricate details of how your insulin pump continuously shoots insulin into your body. But if you say you need to chill for 10 minutes, they won’t abandon you because they really want to dance. It’s more about trust and loyalty than it is about medical capabilities.
Don’t pass the point of no return (or try really really hard not to)
One of the first things people ask me when they find out I’m diabetic is if I can still drink or do drugs. When I was 14 I vowed to never have a sip of alcohol as I had the perception it was too dangerous for me. Shortly after attending my first high school drinks and getting major FOMO, I realised it was going to be unrealistic to live by my previous rule. I also discovered I could still drink & get drunk as long as I don’t get black out—or ‘past the point of no return’. Basically, just don’t get so fucked up you don’t know whats going on. It’s about testing your boundaries. You will probably over do it at some point and it still happens sometimes when you think you know your limits. That’s why rule one, going with good people is of utmost importance.
Eat good kai before you fly
Universal rule, whether you have an insulin pump attached to you or not—never drink on an empty stomach! That also applies to any other drug, it’s always good to line the stomach and fuel up for the night. Doesn’t have to be anything crazy, but especially for drinking, some good carbs will set you up for a good night.
Start slow and build up your experience
No one became a master on day one. The most recent festival I went to was three nights long. That was made possible because I had been to a two day festival before that, a single night before that and a day festival before that. The Russian nesting doll strategy™. This year I’m doing four nights, but that’s only because I have put in the mahi to get here. Every time I go to a festival I learn more about myself, what worked, and what nearly sends you to the medic tent.
Be prepared
I’m pretty sure that was the Girl Guide motto (I was once a cookie mule). Talk to your medical professional and be transparent about your intentions. Even if they don’t really know themselves, listen to any advice they give you. If you’re travelling away from home base for an overnight situation, take everything you need and more. There is no Unichem at a bush doof.
Check-in on yourself
Sounds slightly hippie, but don’t under-estimate the power of lived experience and knowing your body. The spoon theory is about how people living with a chronic illness only have 12 spoons worth of energy per day. Being out till 2:30am will probably chew up 10 of them. Don’t be surprised if your amigos can last longer on the dance floor, bounce back quicker, or you feel more exhausted the next day.
Remove avoidable risks
Check your drugs e te whānau. There is a community that fought hard to bring you this discrete and free(!) service. There is no reason not to, and it might mean the difference between an epic night or winding up in hospital.
Take your own bag
Fanny pack, man-purse or capacious pockets if your jorts allow. Keep your shit in it. Make sure it has a zip or a secured closing, and keep it on you. Put everything you might need & some more. Going out can be intense and it will mean you don’t have to leave early on account of something you need being at home.
Be ready for a few questions
Whether it be venue security, bag check or a bouncer, if you have something out of the ordinary in your bag be ready for a few questions. I usually carry a syringe with me, which can sometimes get a raised eyebrow. As long as you are prepared to explain it no one can be upset. And remember—they’re just doing their job.
Approach festivals, gigs & raves like you’re doing some intense exercise
I was 24 hours into my most recent festival and I couldn’t figure out why I was struggling so much to manage my blood sugar. It dawned on me I was doing the same amount of physical activity as I did for my Duke of Ed tramp (#trauma). I cut the amount of insulin I was using in half, like my nurse had advised me to do for the tramp many moons ago, and it worked perfectly. I prepare for a night out as if I’m going on a run or an intense walk—because our bodies can’t really tell the difference.
Bonus! This one is a bit cheeky and maybe I shouldn’t say this, but medical equipment is a fabulous way to disguise and conceal things that aren’t supposed to be brought into a venue. There has to be one advantage to the slightly less than ideal cards that we have been dealt. Average Joe’s, this is not for you!
Go have fun, enjoy yourselves & be safe xxxx
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