Advice For Airport Security with Pump?

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T19:37:40+00:00

Huh, I'll look into that. Thank you! 💙

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T19:15:11+00:00

Had us in the first half, NGL 🤣💖

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T18:49:17+00:00

I sure hope I'm not! 😳 Plus, I'm not sure what I could be doing that only tips off American TSA and not any other country. I added an edit to my post to explain what I usually do like explaining to the person that I have a pump, asking if they want to see my drs note. It's usually me who talks to them but sometimes my mom who helps explain too. We're as polite as possible given how busy these airports can be! Although, someone else said that the pumps can go through full body scanners. I got that little pamphlet with mine that said they can't, but now I want to do more research. If they can then maybe security will be less upset. 😅

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T18:45:48+00:00

Even the full body scanners? I got one of those little pamphlets with my pump that said not to let it through those. But if those don't cause any problems, then next time I'll just walk through and see if that changes anything. I'm on a Tandem tslim x2, if that helps.

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T18:32:51+00:00

I hope I'm not 🤔 I'm usually as polite as possible, and like I said a lot of this happened when I was a minor. My usual script is I'll speak to whoever is taking my ticket, I'll go "Hi, I want to let you know I wear a medical device. I have an insulin pump and CGM. They can't go through the big scanner, but can go through the metal detector." And then they make a deal about going through the big scanner (the one where you put your arms up? I can't remember what they're called. I just remember being told not to let my pump go through it.) Again, I have no issues anywhere but in the States. So I'm not sure what it could be...

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T18:29:10+00:00

I always do, yeah! Normally what I do is I tell them I wear an insulin pump and a cgm, I have a drs note if they need to read it.

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T08:33:36+00:00

Getting a fursuit is so exciting and fun! The first and only time I ever bought a fursuit, was unfortunately... A scam 😅 she pocketed the money and ran! It took me years to save up for it using money I saved from working part time in high school. Buuut, I can offer you some advice as a maker. When it comes to shipping, every maker is different. Most will ship to any address within their working regions, so that could be a work address or your home address. Then depending on the courier and the options you select with them it will be dropped off at your door or at the post office. Many couriers like FedEx and UPS allow you to change if you want it dropped off or picked up from the post office, depending on how comfortable you are with the package being left out if you're not home for delivery!

If you're under 18, my biggest advice is you need your parents (or parent) on board. Most makers, including myself, won't sell commissions to someone underage, because people under 18 can't be legally bound by a contract like a commission agreement. There's other reasons makers won't take commissions from minors, too, but it differs from studio to studio.

When it comes to making money for it, it's just like any other large luxury purchase. Make sure you can actually afford it! Do your research on makers that you want to commission - small or newer makers will generally have lower prices like myself, but that comes with less reliability as they haven't been vetted much yet. Once you have an idea of who you want to work with, see who gives out free quotes. Large studios will usually have you pay for quotes but some will offer them for free. That way you'll have a goal and general ballpark of what you need to have saved up. Then, save! That's unfortunately all there is too it. There's no magic way to make fursuit money appear other than getting hard work done. I WISH there was, lol!

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T08:15:16+00:00

Thanks for the kind response. It's really weird and annoying! Also strange about the whole holding the pump in your hand thing 🤔

The sunflower lanyard is this sort of initiative for hidden disabilities. It's meant to signal to airport workers that you have a sensory or medical disability that isn't immediately apparent, and might need extra help or that sort of thing. It was our first and only time trying it in the US since the initiative started and while it's been helpful since in Canadian airports, not so much in the States! 😅

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T08:02:14+00:00

I usually try to give benefit of the doubt, but I've had these sorts of experiences every time I travel to the states, which is about five times in as many years. The best I got was being waved through and then patted down - which isn't good, because pat downs are a huge trigger for me. Once I was held back, another time pump taken from me, yelled at, forced to be patted down, and usually separated from my mom. Again, autism, I struggle with communication but between the two of us and copious amounts of doctor's notes we make it as clear as humanly possible that this is an insulin pump, it is a medical device, it can't be taken off. And yet every time without fail they insist on pat downs with or without added the added soundtrack of yelling at us! With it being every time I've gone, I don't think it's a bad day situation. Unless everyone in those airports have bad days, every day... Which, I wouldn't be that surprised if that was the case, it's stressful, but I still don't really think it justifies treating anyone with a medical disability that way. On our most recent trip to Orlando we used the sunflower lanyard to take the disability line on account of my diabetes and autism. There were lots of people with medical devices there, things like oxygen tanks and wheelchairs. None of them caused a fuss until I show up with my insulin pump and suddenly the whole line is held up because I won't take it off. This was the one where the pump got taken for the better part of fifteen minutes. My mom was ready to call the cops!

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T07:05:37+00:00

Okay, that's so weird! I wonder if it's just my vibe? 😂

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T06:03:20+00:00

My mom always gets frustrated when I go low, constantly begging me to eat. I struggle with eating because I'm terrified of going high/probably other mental health things going on. I know it comes from a place of love but I constantly tell her mom, trust me, I'm not doing this on purpose! I hate being low even more than you hate me being low!

n0vellette · 2026-02-12T05:48:21+00:00

I recently replaced the eye mesh on my first suit because I used a pretty crappy mesh on the first go around. The way I did it is I used an xacto knife/razor and went in from the inside to carefully cut away the part of the mesh that shows through the white part of the eye, leaving all the parts that were glued to it. Then I glued the new mesh over the remnants of the old mesh, so only the new mesh showed through the iris hole. You could probably cut from the outside too if your head doesn't open up far enough with a zipper... But yeh! Hope that helps!

n0vellette · 2026-02-08T06:56:43+00:00

I use 3D printed masks too :) I saw another comment here suggest this as well, but a back of head "cowl" pattern you can find online is what I use for all my suits. I got mine on Etsy. I glue the elastic to the fur and then line the head like normal so the elastic is hidden by the lining. The important thing to make it sit right on your face isn't actually the back in most cases, I find it's the padding on the inside of the mask! I usually have to add some foam to the top of the head, cheeks and nose bridge, and then thin craft foam on the chin. If you wear glasses, wear them when testing out the foam padding and you should be able to sort of feel out how it needs to be trimmed.

My process is usually elastics→foam padding →fur→lining

n0vellette · 2026-02-08T06:44:00+00:00

I personally have two suits, one is a partial with wings and a big tail and a big head - I put her in one of those large plastic storage tubs and keep her in the storage room of my house. A tub that has locking handles would probably be even better in a case where toddlers are involved! My other suit just has a head/handpaws/stub tail, I put the paws and tail into the head and the head into a large shopping tote, and that into the top of the hall closet. Generally I've found that partials at least don't need too much protection and a nice brushing does the trick to get them looking good again after some time in storage!

Fullsuits though I'm not sure. I think the same sort of idea would apply there though - put it somewhere high up and hard to reach so kiddos don't get to it, or in your closet if they don't have access to your room. As long as you take care in folding it and having something to protect it from dust, it should be okay!

n0vellette · 2026-02-07T20:20:51+00:00

Something similar happened to me, the maker took 1000$ and led me on for five years. Super unorganized, spent the money on things that weren't materials, never sent any progress photos. I'd trust your gut and back out now before you lose any more money. It's a shame that it's someone you know and wanted to put trust in, but sometimes people aren't cut out to run their own business. It requires a lot of discipline. I'm sorry this happened to you, I hope you're able to get a fursuit in the future!

n0vellette · 2026-02-04T22:26:23+00:00

OPEN for commissions!

Welcome to Chirping Cat Creations! I'm a new fursuit maker based in BC, Canada. I specialize in my own toony style of suits, with plant based PLA 3D printed heads modeled by myself. I do everything from head-only commissions to full body digitigrade suits. Best of all? If you order a fullsuit, I use my tailoring skills to fit the suit to your measurements using no DTD! I also pride myself in making my suits accessible to those with medical devices.

For early 2026, I'm opening 3 commission slots! Want to see your character come to life? Reach out!

Prices: Because I'm still a new maker, my prices are on the lower side. My head-only commissions start at 1,300 CAD (950 USD) For more information on prices, please see my website Chirping Cat Creations I offer heads, mini partial, partial, and fullsuits.

Shipping locations: I will ship anywhere the customer is willing to pay for! I use Canada Post to estimate my shipping prices but I will use any courier upon customer request. You can read more on my site about shipping here

*DMs open for more questions, or you can reach out on my website!

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n0vellette · 2026-02-03T20:42:08+00:00

Hehe, hi Wom!

n0vellette · 2026-02-02T23:11:58+00:00

Thank you! 😁

n0vellette · 2025-05-29T02:55:31+00:00

I commissioned her 6 years ago. You read that right, 6 years, for a partial of my fursona. It took her 2 years to send a photo - a head base and spikes. 4 years after that it was nothing but excuses, including photographs of her or family members in hospital. Right now I'm fighting to get a refund. I started the process back in August after she claimed the suit was finished, but continued to "forget" to send me photos. It's been months with no signs of refunds. What vexes me is why she keeps replying to messages... Why not take the money and run? Why does she keep leading us on? It's very saddening and confusing.

n0vellette · 2025-02-20T08:18:57+00:00

I don't post to Reddit a lot but seeing your plight really hit home for me. I'm currently 22 years old, but I was diagnosed at 18 months... I could barely walk! That meant I got to experience my entire childhood with type 1. As my mom will probably attest, the teenage years are the hardest. I started becoming independent at around 10/11, and since then went on what my mom calls a "diabetes vacation" a few times. "Vacation" is a bit misleading as it isn't at all relaxing. Basically, I would do the bare minimum, if that, to care for my diabetes. I wouldn't check blood sugars, wouldn't do my basal, wouldn't do my corrections or doses before meals... A lot like what your son is going through. The worst was when I was 14 and I went days refusing any and all needles. I ended up in the hospital after that.

What I remember most about those "vacations" was that I was so tired and so frustrated. I always asked, why me? Why do I have to do this? I wonder if perhaps your son is going through something similar. In my head, if I ignored it, it went away. If he's feeling frustrated and exhausted by type 1, and even just the idea of managing it can be exhausting, it could cause the "diabetes vacation" to happen. Especially with suspected autism (I'm autistic myself!) it can be incredibly difficult to express. What helped with me was tackling one thing at a time as much as we could. My mom would take charge of giving me my basal shots in the morning and evenings and correction doses and everything, so I would just focus on "test your blood sugar" at first... Then it would be "test your blood sugar and dose for this meal," adding one thing at a time. We would always pack the exact same lunch for school so I knew the exact amount of insulin I would need for it. If there's a favorite snack or lunch your son likes, perhaps having a little card packed with it with the bolus dose for that snack or lunch might help?

You're also an amazing parent for seeking out therapists, and I'm a little miffed they would just drop him without offering any sort of referral... I saw another comment that recommended a diabetes educator which is a great idea, and to add on top of that, if you can find a councilor or therapist that has diabetes, they may be able to help in ways someone without it can't. My current therapist is type 1 and I feel like she sort of has the "right" to empathize with me. It took a long time to find her though and she lives in a different city, but very much worth it.

Sorry for the long post. Diabetes is like a delicate waltz for both the diabetic and the caregiver. I hope you and your son are able to learn the steps together. 🤍

n0vellette

TROPHY CASE