Parents of Diabetic Kids will know…
Many don’t understand that this disease-Type 1 Diabetes-must have our attention 24/7. That it is the top priority everyday and everything else has to be dropped down on that list or cancelled all together. All our plans are tentative based on how our Type 1 is doing that day/time. Sometimes I can’t show up for meetings or events. Sometimes I can’t sign up to volunteer. I’ve learned it’s best to not commit to future responsibilities if my Type 1 cannot come with me, due to the lack of care for my Type 1. This annoys many people who do not understand. We have learned to talk about the hard stuff and our health concerns can’t be a secret. We must rely on others when we can’t be there. We are thankful for the ones who help, even for just a short time, as they can bring a necessary relief.
Insulin dependent means we must have it, forever. It’s not optional, our kids can’t wean off it, or eat perfectly to avoid it. Having Type 1 means our kid also must have sugar-yes sugar, or they get weak. It is actually fuel for their growing bodies. Without it, they get weak and shaky and dizzy and breathless.
Having T1D is a balancing act, everyday, all day, with no days off. It’s not something that we will ever conquer as it is different and difficult from one day to the next.
Emotionally it is hard, extremely so. It is frustrating as we cannot control it, cannot predict it, cannot change it. We can only manage it. We feel these emotions ourselves, and when we see them on our kiddo’s faces. They get scared, and mad, and frustrated, and pained, and defeated, and confused-then we are there with them in that pain. They get judged by ignorant voices. They get forgotten or left out. They know their limits and the list of off-limit things that friends never have to think or worry about. They fight everyday to stay in range, to remember the big picture-long term health, and to do the hard things required of this unfair, exhausting, lifelong, painful disease.
And we all fight for them and with them. We all learn together. In our family, and friend circle, we all watch out for our T1D’ers. We all celebrate their accomplishments and victories because we recognize the battle was not won without sacrifice. We know they are warriors, everyday. They are learning things as a child that some adults cannot grasp. What feels pointless is actually life skills being instilled, building these kids into world changers.
These are the things we wish you knew, but hope you’ll never have to learn.
The Mom Job 24/7 