(NaBloPoMo Day 28) Special Sib of a D-Kid Day is an event/day that was created on Facebook to honor/celebrate the siblings of those living with T1 Diabetes. It is not uncommon for Diabetes and the children living with it to overshadow their non-Diabetic siblings. This is something as parents of children with Diabetes we would never intentionally do, Diabetes tends to take over our lives. None of us love any of our kids any more or less than the others. I am thankful THIS day has been set aside to talk about the SPECIAL Siblings, and in our case, The Princess. I am
going to share about The Princess in 2 parts because I don't want Diabetes to take over what I write about her, but I think it is important to include the D part too. How Diabetes affects The Princess... She knows no life without Diabetes. I often think she thinks that SHE has Diabetes. She is always wanting me to check her "ginger" (finger). She gets MAD if I don't when she requests it. I usually give in and check her. (and yes, all numbers have been in range, whew!) If The Superhero is low, she wants juice or fruit snacks too. I usually give in to this one as well. And sadly, there are times when Diabetes HAS to come first. If I am changing a site, treating a combative LOW, etc. She tends to get pushed aside and HAS to wait until I am done. I hate this, but there are times when Diabetes has to come first. She knows all of his supplies. She knows what his Dexie is and can go get it out of his room if he forgets it in there in the morning or at nap time. She will see his "black kit" for checking his finger and know exactly what it is. She can even see supplies of OTHER people when we are out with D families and know what they are, even if The Superhero is not around! She gets sad when The Superhero is not feeling well due to a low. She rubs his back while I hold him. She is adorable when it comes to all of the D stuff. I just hope we never really have to do any of it for her too!
Some non-Diabetes things that make us LOVE our Princess.
She is ADORABLE. She has a GREAT smile. She laughs A LOT and makes us laugh too. She has the cutest little voice. She is SUPER smart, too much for her own good sometimes. She is a MONKEY. She LOVES taking her clothes off. ALL.THE.TIME. It is annoying, yet cute at the same time. She is BEYOND INDEPENDENT. And apparently just like I was at this age, I survived, so I am sure she will too! She has a LOVE/HATE relationship with shoes. She loves whatever is the newest pair. And won't leave the rest on her feet. She LOVES babies. A. LOT. (dolls and real ones) She loves tutus. And twirling. She loves hair bows. And flowers. She loves to get dirty. She loves swimming. She loves to cuddle, when SHE is in the mood. She did not learn to talk until after 18 months old. And now, she can say SO many words, she amazes me every day. She loves her brother, even if they don't always get along. She is drama. She has TEARS that can break your heart! She gives the BEST squeezy hugs, EVER. She is simply, amazing. And The Superhero is LUCKY to have her as his D Sibling.
Diabetes Fact #28: The siblings of people with T1 Diabetes are AMAZING.
Diabetes Fact #27: Knowing the signs of a LOW blood sugar and how to treat the low can save someone's life!
Diabetes Fact #26: Adults and children with T1 Diabetes are incredibly BRAVE and STRONG. Diabetes Fact #25:A Diabetes diagnosis can put strain on the marriage of the person with T1 (for adults) or for the parents of the child diagnosed. Diabetes Fact #24:Complications from out of range blood sugars with T1 Diabetics are very real and very worrisome to those living with the disease (and their parents/loved ones).
Diabetes Fact #23:The only thing constant with Diabetes, is that nothing stays the same.
Diabetes Fact #22:Diabetes is a family disease and affects every person in the family, near and far.
Diabetes Fact #21:Having Type 1 Diabetes means finger pokes 8-10 times per day (or more) and YES that means using BLOOD to do this. Diabetes Fact #20:Despite always injecting the proper amount of insulin, people with type 1 Diabetes face many other factors that can adversely affect efforts to tightly control blood sugar levels. These factors include stress, hormonal changes, periods of growth, physical activity, medications, illness/infection, fatigue, and EVERYTHING they do or don't do every.single.day. Diabetes Fact #19: T1 Diabetes is a 24/7/365 disease. It NEVER sleeps and neither do the parents of the children who have it (or the T1 people themselves). Diabetes Fact #18: T1 Diabetes can happen to ANYONE, it is not necessarily hereditary. This means that yes, it CAN happen to YOU or to someone YOU know. Diabetes Fact #17: People with T1 or T2 Diabetes (and their caregivers) are more likely to experience depression than their peers without Diabetes. Diabetes Fact #16: The out of pocket cost of managing T1 Diabetes is EXPENSIVE. Diabetes Fact #15: Having type 1 and getting an illness (especially a tummy bug) CAN be dangerous. Diabetes Fact #14: Without insulin, a person with T1 Diabetes would DIE within ONE week. Diabetes Fact #13: type 1 Diabetes usually strikes children, adolescents, and young adults, but it CAN be diagnosed in adults as well. Diabetes Fact #12: It is important for families of Diabetic children or the people with Diabetes themselves to genuinely try to understand what we go through, to learn about Diabetes along with us, and to support us through encouraging comments. Diabetes Fact #11: Diabetes is ALL consuming. It is NOT our life, but it is a HUGE part of it. 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.*
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