Friday, November 9, 2012

Caregivers

I've had the privilege of being a part of a particular diabetes community that is not completely related to my specific experience as a type 1, but nonetheless this community is of the parents of type 1 diabetic children. I was introduced to this whole world after chatting with Amy (creator of diabetic barbie) on Facebook, since then I have seen many conversations, interactions between parents giving support and insight to one another.   I find this incredibly fascinating and inspiring.

My first thought is, I hope their type 1 children get to look back on these conversations and blogs one day and see how much love their parents have for them and how many extra hours they put into the care for them by reaching out online for support, tips and answers.   I love how these mothers and fathers despite literally being half asleep because of the intense care and attention they need to give their children still have the energy to write a blog to help other parents.

You see, I have encountered all kinds of type 1 diabetics writing, messaging, connecting and meeting together to encourage one another and that seems like an obvious thing to do. As a type 1 adult or teen, when our blood sugar goes low in the middle of the night it is us waking up (and maybe our roommates depending on how rowdy we are in the kitchen...)  but when a child goes low in the night, the mother or father is the one who catches it, gently wakes them up, gets out their juice box and stays awake for the rest of the night worrying about them.

I can hardly imagine that constant feeling of worry that a parents of a type 1 has.  I see it in the messages posted on support groups on Facebook or in the blogs of mothers frantically noting a horrible day at school.   I know what it is like to have diabetes as a diabetic, not as a caregiver.  I have a lot of respect for those that have children with type 1 and have given their heart and soul and if they could their pancreas into treating their child.

I hope one day no parent has to worry about their child getting type 1 and children can go back to just being children and not knowing what its like to be chased around with a lancet device and not know what a pancreas is.  But in the meantime, thank you parents of type 1 children for giving that insight, helping out each other and giving it your all.  You're all amazing in my books!

Kayla

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