Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"I could never do it!"

** BIG GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT COMING..... FRIDAY IS THE DAY! COME BACK TO FIND OUT DETAILS!!! **

(NaBloPoMo Day 10)


This post is inspired by Heidi @D-Tales and number 1 on her D Blog Day list of things she wants people to know about Diabetes. (Thanks, Heidi)


When people hear that The Superhero has Diabetes and a little of what is involved in his care I tend to get a response that can be so irritating.

People say "I could NEVER do it!"

My response is usually something like "You would if you had to."

Which is TRUE! If you had to choose between poking your kids fingers 10+ times per day, giving him/her shots or doing site changes, and losing LOTS of sleep OR them DYING because you chose NOT to do those things, I am pretty sure you would DO THEM without thinking.

So, yes, it is HARD and I am TIRED all.the.time. BUT, I would choose to do ALL of this and more just to keep The Superhero ALIVE. I would not EVER choose to live without him.

Diabetes Fact #10: Parents of children with Diabetes HATE when people say "I could NEVER do it!" when referring to the management of their kid's disease. In reality, YOU could, and WOULD do it if you HAD to. We probably had the same thoughts as you and now look at us, doing it 24/7.

Diabetes Fact #9: The term "Juvenile Diabetes" is outdated. We now call it "T1 Diabetes" or "Insulin Dependent Diabetes". People with this type of Diabetes will NEVER outgrow it. EVER. They will have this relentless disease until a CURE is found.

Diabetes Fact #8: A cure would be great, but a long life without complications is a close second for people with T1 Diabetes.

Diabetes Fact #7: Diabetes kills more people each year than cancer and AIDS combined. It is serious. We NEED a cure!

Diabetes Fact #6: While people with T1 Diabetes strive for blood glucose (BG) numbers from 80-120, it is NOT uncommon to see numbers MUCH lower or MUCH higher. There are SO many factors that go into each number and it is very challenging to see readings that are “in range” for EVERY reading.

Diabetes Fact #5: Type 1 Diabetes strikes 15,000 children every year in the US. That's 40 children per day. On July 10, 2008 The Superhero was one of the 40. Today, it could be YOUR child, or someone you know. This is why it is SO important to take the time to learn about the disease.

Diabetes Fact #4: Type 1 Diabetics may take insulin through syringes, insulin pens, or insulin pumps. What they use is a reflection of their choice and/or finances, NOT disease severity.

Diabetes Fact #3: People with Diabetes CAN eat anything they want as long as they match the carbohydrates with insulin.

Diabetes Fact #2: T1 Diabetes is NOT caused by eating too much sugar or being over weight. It IS an autoimmune disease and cannot be prevented.

Diabetes Fact #1: T1 Diabetes CANNOT be treated with medication. The only way to manage T1 Diabetes is with insulin. Without insulin, T1 Diabetics would die. Period.





*Disclaimer: I am a mom of a T1 Diabetic child. I am NOT a doctor. I just play one in real life. Please do not take anything in this post or any other post on this blog as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns of your own, please seek advice from your doctor.*

4 comments:

Leighann of D-Mom Blog said...

Amen sister!

I also hate grown ups who tell my child they hate needles. I want to shout " Grow the eff up!" my child doesn't have a choice to like them or not.

Unknown said...

Yep, I have even heard this from a mother (a friend of mine) of a newly diagnosed type 1, when he, her son, was diagnosed @ 14 months old. She was in denial and said I cannot do this...how do you do this? I responded..."Sadly, I have no other choice to do it...and neither do you..." That was 3 years ago.

Heidi / D-Tales said...

Thanks for the shout out! I feel honored! :)

It drives me crazy when people tell me they don't know how I do it or that they could never do it themselves. We do what we must. We have no choice. We rise to the demands of our lives.

Heather said...

Drives me crazy too. I do love it when they say how strong I am to be able to handle all of it. That does make me happy. Although I don't have a choice and I would do anything to keep Lovebug alive and healthy.

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