Travel guidance with vascular EDS

Travel Guidance

Flying

Air travel is not considered to increase the risks of rupture and we encourage worldwide travel unless advised otherwise by your vEDS specialist.

Key recommendations include wearing compression socks and moving around the cabin to reduce the risk of blood clots. Ensure you have your VEDS Emergency Pack with the emergency information document translated for the country you are visiting.

Consider using the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard & vEDS awareness card to communicate your needs, access security and passport control assistance lanes and be one of the first passenger groups to board the plane.

Travel Planning

We recommend planning for your vacation including researching the nearest hospital with emergency care and trauma centre.

Making travel plans will not only help to ensure the safety of the person who has vascular EDS, it could also make your well deserved vacation a little less stressful knowing you have put plans in place including using the following resources which are available free for our members via the VEDS Resource Hub:

Emergency Information for Medical Professionals is available in the following languages: Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Modern Standard Arabic, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu.
NHS blue wallet card.
MedicAlert bracelet.
Sunflower lanyard and vEDS awareness card.

Most importantly, make memories which will last a lifetime – take your vacations and relax!

VEDS Resource Hub

Travel Insurance

Annabelle's Challenge members get an exclusive 15% discount off the overall policy price with the code AC15 when using Just Travel Cover.

Cover for pre-existing medical conditions including vascular EDS.
Single & Annual options available (Europe/Worldwide).
No age limit.
24-hour medical assistance line provided should you require treatment during your trip.
Trips up to 365 days duration, 18 months in advance, cruise specific benefits & winter sports.

Click on Get a Quote or call 0800 542 7167 and mention Annabelle's Challenge and code AC15.

For online quotes, when prompted search Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and then select vascular EDS type.

Get a Quote

Annabelle's Challenge are introducing you to JustTravelCover.com, an independent travel insurance provider who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 610022.

Annabelle's Challenge does not benefit financially from this partnership.

Alternative Travel Insurers

The above insurance providers are for information only and are not endorsed by Annabelle's Challenge. Please also consider checking comparison websites.

Assisted Travel

Assisted Travel

Book assisted travel for your outbound and inbound journey. Most airports provide this service and a patient diagnosed with vascular EDS is no exception. Assisted travel is also provided by most train operators including wheelchair ramps.

Booking your assistance will usually facilitate:

The option to be assisted to the check-in desks or make your own way there if you prefer.
Use the assistant / priority lanes for airport security and passport control.
Priority boarding.
Pre-book allocated seats with your airline. (Subject to availability and airline T&C's).

Please note: You must pre-book your assistance through your airline or travel agent a minimum of 48 hours before your flight.

Sunflower Lanyard Scheme

Sunflower Lanyard Scheme

Annabelle's Challenge has partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme and Sunflower lanyards and vascular EDS cards are available free of charge to all vEDS UK members through our online shop.

A discreet way to make the invisible visible.

Wearing the Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around the wearer including staff, colleagues and health professionals that they need additional support, help or a little more time. It can also be useful to:

Permit access to assisted / priority lanes at security and the use of assistance lanes at the UK Border on arrival.
Priority boarding.

Since the Sunflower was established in the UK in 2016, it has been adopted globally by organisations to support both their colleagues and customers.

The Sunflower is now recognised across a broad range of sectors - ranging from retail, financial services, transport including over 240 airports, travel and tourism as well as over 450 universities, schools and colleges, all of the UK railway network, theme parks, supermarkets, leisure facilities, healthcare, financial services, emergency services, theatres and over 350 charities.

The Sunflower has now been launched locally in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, the UAE and the USA.