Traveling or moving? Get inspiration and practical tips from a brave PKU! 

Dalibor Dujmic shares his experiences moving from Germany to Madrid, while following a low protein diet. An inspiring story about perseverance, adaptability and new adventures. 

Hello, phe-nomenous PKU'ers! 

I'm Dalibor and I moved from Germany to sunny Spain three years ago. I would like to share my experiences, so that you know that an international move with PKU is possible! Of course, there were challenges, but it was the best decision I ever made. 

From Germany to Madrid: a new beginning 

My fiancé and I started our adventure in an empty 75 m² apartment in Madrid. We literally had to 'camp' on an inflatable mattress until we had furniture. In addition to decorating our house, we also had to arrange our residence and work permits with the Spanish authorities. That required a lot of patience! 

Be prepared for bureaucracy 

In Germany everything is structured, but in Spain everything is at a slower pace. That took some getting used to! Due to delays in administration, I was unable to work for the first two months and had no access to healthcare. Two months without my amino acid preparation! Fortunately, I had taken some supplies with me, but it was an important lesson: always make sure you have an extra supply of food and amino acid preparations when moving. 

My first visit to a metabolic doctor was a challenge. The doctor only spoke Spanish and I only understood every third word. However, his message was clear: my blood values had to go down! The good news? Spain offers digital prescriptions for a whole year, which means you don't have to go to the pharmacy as often. My patience was rewarded. 

DALIBOR TIP: Learn as much of the language as you can before you move and bring translated medical documents with you to make the process easier. 

Discover Madrid: a city full of surprises 

Madrid surprised me positively! The city has huge parks, beautiful architecture, and a rich history. My favorite discovery? The impressive 'San Isidro' cemetery, where ancient Spanish nobles rest in spectacular mausoleums. 

As a football fan, visiting the Santiago Bernabéu stadium was a dream come true. I walked through the dressing rooms, stood on the field and even saw Luka Modrić's locker. An unforgettable experience! 

Luckily, we had friends in Madrid who showed us around and helped us with the transition. Thanks to them, it felt like we immediately had a small family. Together we walked, celebrated holidays and shared cultures. I even learned to make traditional Venezuelan dishes! Because many of them contain too much phenylalanine, I developed my own low-protein recipe: a potato-based pan-fried flatbread filled with vegetables. 

Eating in Madrid: a paradise for vegans 

A frequently asked question: how to arrange a low protein diet in Madrid? Fortunately, the vegan trend helps a lot! Vegan restaurants often offer dishes that are easy to customize. My first meal out was a pumpkin dish with vegetable soup, teriyaki mushrooms and jackfruit tapas. A real feast! 

DALIBOR TIP: In vegan restaurants, always check whether there is soy, hummus,  beans, grains or couscous in dishes. These are not low in protein! 

My top advice for travelling or moving with PKU 

Let's face it: moving is stressful, whether you have PKU or not. This is exactly the time when the temptation to deviate from your diet strikes. My advice: stay strong and stick to your low-protein lifestyle. And if you do fly off the rails? Pick yourself up and move on! 

TIP FROM DALIBOR: Keep a food diary to keep an eye on your portions and be kind to yourself during stressful times. There is always a healthier option! 

In addition, it is smart to reserve a separate shelf or cupboard in your kitchen for your low-protein products. And if you share a fridge? My golden rule: when I open the door, I say 'NO' loudly to the no-food and immediately grab what I need. Sounds crazy, but it works! 

Find support: join a PKU group 

One of the best decisions I made was to join the PKU association in Madrid (ASFEMA). There I met local PKU families and found a great network of support and understanding. This was crucial for my mental and physical health.  

New opportunities in Barcelona 

After a year in Madrid, I was offered a job in Barcelona. This time I was better prepared: I had arranged an apartment in advance, which made the transition much smoother. 

Barcelona is beautiful. The city has a kilometre-long beach, surrounded by hills, and a rich sports culture. It feels different from Madrid: older, with lower buildings and a slower pace. Perfect for enjoying life. 

Healthcare in Catalonia 

An unexpected challenge: my health insurance from Madrid was not valid in Barcelona, because Catalonia is a semi-independent region. This meant that I had to find a PKU doctor again and provide my entire medical record. Fortunately, I had all my papers and a supply of amino acid preparations, so I could continue without interruption. Another valuable lesson: always be prepared! 

The best decision ever! 

My move to Spain was the most exciting and best thing I have ever done. Despite my PKU, I have pursued my dreams and proven that nothing is impossible. My message to you? Be brave, dare to dream and go for it. We PKU staff can achieve anything! 💪