Type 1 Diabetes: Is there an endocrinologist on the island?

Check out this link and give the office a call:
http://www.vihealthdirectory.com/pages/stx_list.php?allcats=Endocrinology

My brother is Type 1 so I know the concerns you would have about moving to a different location. Thoroughly investigate your health insurance options too. Some insurance companies do not operate in the USVI and you want to make sure that whatever USVI plan you get will adequetely cover your son's care. My brother is in Massachusetts and my father is lucky enough to have a very great plan that covers everything (brother uses the Omnipod which would be very expensive w/o coverage--I know the pump is a similar expense).

As far as lifestyle goes, my family is very "strict" (in the best of sense) with diet and carb-counting 😉 and spends a lot of time food shopping and diet planning. The grocery options can be limited in St Croix--especially fresh fruits and vegetables. A lot of other foods are simply not available, or sporadic in their shelf appearance. So you may have to be more flexible with cooking options and meal planning.

How old is your son? Are you planning on putting him in private/public school if school age? You may want to give the school nurses at potential schools a call and ask whether they are familiar with dealing with diabetic students. I'm not sure what the VI laws/rights are regarding letting kids check levels and such but that may be an area you want to research too. In MA at least they let him manage himself with no interference or nurse visits which is really great. There is a lot of variation between states, districts and between schools regarding policies.

I wish I had more specific answers regarding the VI and could be of more use...good luck with your research and move planning!

Everyone planning a move to STX, but expecially those with special needs, should plan a 2-3 week visit to determine if the move will be a good fit for them.

On STX

Dr Robert Bucher at Sunny Isle Medical Center (340)778-3455

Dr Michelle Dizon at Island Medical Center (340)778-5780

Thank you. I needed the names so we could plan ahead for our next visit. We will have our doctors speak with the local doctors prior to a move.

With any doctor on the island I would call at lest two weeks to a month ahead to make sure you get an appointment when you need it,. Especially a good idea when you will have a limited time frame.

"We will have our doctors speak with the local doctors prior to a move."

You may want to try this before you decide to move, as the result may dissuade you.