Recently various petitions have been circulating the Diabetes Online Community, so today let’s pretend to write our own. Tell us who you would write the petition to – a person, an organization, even an object (animate or inanimate) - get creative!! What are you trying to change and what have you experienced that makes you want this change?
It took me a while to figure out what to write for this. I'm not usually one to get caught up in petitions or one to try to change the world. As I spend another sleepless night (thanks to the crazy BG numbers M has been having this week) I decides to write on a more personal level and address this to my family, friends and parents of M's friends and classmates.
First of all to my friends. Please listen when I talk about diabetes in general or M's life with diabetes. I try not to do this too much and is part of the reason I started this blog. But right now diabetes is taking up a big portion of our lives. Please excuse me if I roll my eyes when you mention you are tired from one night when your kid woke you up for a drink of water.
To my family. Please do not look at me funny when M eats cookies, cake, pie etc and holidays or family gatherings. Your body naturally makes insulin when you eat these treats, M just gets hers in the form of a shot. (she was even willing to take an extra shot so she could have a piece of shortcake on Mother's day)
Please don't make special sugar free items for her or offer her sugar free candy thinking she can have as much as she wants. Often sugar free will actually have more carbs then the treat with sugar (and the sugar free may make her feel sick after). Do not eliminate candy, cookies etc from family gatherings. This happened at Easter and M said "I'm the reason no one is getting candy in their baskets."
To the parents of M's friends and classmates. Do not treat her differently because of her diabetes. Do not say to me that I don't have to stay at birthday parties (do you really want a crash course on D care). Do not be mad that I get to (must) attend all field trips and school parties because the school nurse may not be present for theses. Do not think I am hovering when I stay and M's dance/gymnastic classes instead of just dropping her off.
Last of all I want to add this to M's best friend KP. (I know this really isn't part of the petition but I wanted to end on a positive not) Thank you for being such a good friend to M. For all the trips to the school nurse you take with her. For helping her check her BG. In M's words you are her "guard". M has taught you the signs of a low BG and you take your job seriously looking for these signs in her. You have even reminded me to check M's BG! I am glad you were in M's class this year and hope you will be again next year.
First, it's great that you are already blogging so soon after your daughter's diagnosis...it took me almost 8 years to start! It will be a great help as you get used to the new "normal".
ReplyDeleteSecond, most of the people around you and your daughter will calm down once they get "used" to her having diabetes. Your job is to continue educating them, advocating for your daughter, and teaching her to one day advocate for herself.
After doing this for 9 years with one diabetic and just over a year with two I won't lie to you. Sometimes I feel like we are back to where we were when my daughter was first diagnosed. (And don't get me started about the teenage years!) But overall, it does get easier, especially when those around you learn that you know what your doing! Stay strong, but also realize that your NOT superhuman and allow yourself to have "off" days.
Here, here! Well said! My DD is 13, dx'd 2 1/5 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYes, and I haven't had a chance to say WELCOME to the blogging DOC world! Great to have your voice, especially so soon after diagnosis. I'd sign this petition, and love how you thanks for that ending note appreciating those who help. Thanks for writing this.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic!! I wish anyone who has a friend or relative affected by diabetes could read this!
ReplyDeleteWell said Carla! I gather you are at the beginning of this journey with D? I wish I could say it got easier and that people become more tolerant but sadly, that is not always the case. Keep educating though - it's so important. Maybe someday we won't have to have so many of the conversations you listed above. xo
ReplyDeleteI had friends like KP when I was diagnosed, and they're still very close to me now (16 years later). Very nice post, on all fronts.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, that last part made me tear up. What a great friend! My daughter is starting kindergarten this year and my hope is she finds a friend just like this!
ReplyDeleteNicely said. Something all us Dmoms and Ddads try to share and you shared it very well. Wonderful you started blogging so quickly - you have a great 'voice' and share your thoughts well, Like another above it took me a long time to find my place in the blogosphere - you will fit in nicely although I hate that you have reason to be here.
ReplyDeleteMy cwd are daughter 13 dxd at 9yrs, son 9 dxd at age 2. I have a middle son too.
Glad I found your blog - wish I could tell you how I got her - it was from another bloggers dblog week post. Grateful they shared your post. Hope to see you around twitter. Im @momof2t1s there. Cheers.
Just remembered it was Joanne at Dealth of a Pancreas that got me here. She rocks!!!
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