My name is Jennifer, and I live in Southern California with my husband, Craig, and our two boys. Our oldest son James has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I’m thankful for this opportunity — along with my sister-in-law Kim and her daughter Kaitlyn, who also has type 1 diabetes — to share our struggles and triumphs with our friends in the diabetes community.
by Jen M., Real Moms Talk Type 1
In the very early days of diagnosis, when James was still so little, I worried every second about his blood sugar. If that’s where you are now, please know: It really does get better.
It’s not easy, but it’s worth it to make the long drive to visit a diabetes doctor who fills us with positivity and confidence.
It might look unremarkable at first glance, but the “diabetes cart” is a perfect representation of the amount of work we still have to do in educating schools about type 1 diabetes.
At first, we didn’t participate. Now, I consider medical studies to be one of the unforeseen positive side effects of a diabetes diagnosis.
It’s the tagline for the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California, but it could be the tagline for families with type 1 diabetes.
Technology has opened so many doors for kids with type 1 diabetes to participate in all the activities life presents to them. But that often means more work on the back end to make sure those activities are safe.
When being well-behaved could land you in the hospital, the right to be impolite should be part of your 504 plan.
In about six months’ time, James will be called upon to make a big decision that will affect the next four years of his life. (No, this isn’t about college!)
Jen M., Real Moms Talk Type 1
I thought James had successfully attended his most recent school trip without any special diabetes accommodations. Turns out, there was a tad bit more to the story.
I resisted the urge to follow the crowds or the trends, and I followed my son’s lead instead. It’s made all the difference.
