My daughter Molly shares her experiences and gives some helpful advice
Today is my birthday. I received the best birthday present I could have possibly wanted when I woke up to my 2 children’s love, hugs and kisses! I’m blessed to have two beautiful children to celebrate my special day!
As diabetics, my daughter and I can’t share in the tradition of eating birthday cake; so instead of cake, Molly gave me the gift of working on this blog together. I interviewed her on what it’s like to live with diabetes during her first year of middle school.
Even though I sometimes feel sad or upset that Molly has diabetes and wish there was a cure, in a strange way I feel blessed to have a child with diabetes, because of the way Molly handles it. Diabetic children face many limitations and adjustments. Molly’s challenges living with diabetes includes learning to independently care for herself and thrive emotionally. My daughter has embraced her diabetes with such a positive outlook. She educates her peers in school about what diabetes is, advocates to groups of people by speaking publicly, and attends/fundraises for the JDRF Walk for a Cure each year with such pride. She has demonstrated such self control by accepting that she can’t have the yummy treats and making good choices, including counting her carbs beautifully, and always making wise choices with her meals. She handles other children eating food she can’t at holidays and birthday parties with such grace. She is such a special and loving child, and it makes me proud that I have a child who can be a positive example for others.
Diabetes is hard for children, but it’s not easy for parents either. Parents have the responsibility of supporting and teaching our children positive, healthy choices, and always letting them know we are here for them.
It gives me great pleasure to share with you this interview with Molly.
Living with Diabetes in School
Alissa: What do you do if the teacher is talking and you feel your blood sugar is low or high? How is your teacher educated handling your diabetic care in their class?
Molly: I have a 504 medical care plan that Austin Independent School District requires for any student with special needs or accommodations that my teachers are required to follow in their class. My teachers are all educated by the school nurse and are aware of the warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). The teachers are provided with juice and snacks and have a phone in the classrooms for emergencies. I am allowed a medical pass to go to the nurse even if I’m in the middle of a test or lesson. I go up to the teacher and tell her, “my blood sugar feels low (or high) and I need to go see the nurse”.
Alissa: What do you do for your lunch time routine?
Molly: I leave class 2 minutes early, go to the nurse, hand her the paper with my carbs, test my blood sugar, and while I enter the carbs in my pump, the nurse calculates the math to check that my pump is right.
Alissa: What do you do if your blood sugar is high (hyperglycemia)?
Molly: I go to the nurse and test my Blood sugar. If it’s over 300, I correct for a high, test for ketones, then I drink a lot of water and retest 2 hours later. Many people have never heard of ketones. Ketones are substances that are made when the body breaks down fat for energy. Normally, your body gets the energy it needs from carbohydrates in your diet. But stored fat is broken down and ketones are made if your diet does not contain enough carbohydrates to supply the body with sugar (glucose) for energy or if your body can’t use blood sugar (glucose) properly. I check my ketones with special strips called ketostrip from a local drugstore. I urinate on a stick and use a color pattern located on the test strip bottle to measure my ketones from trace to high ketones.
Alissa: What do you do if your blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia)?
Molly: I go to the nurse, check my blood Sugar, and then if it’s 70 or below, I get preferably a juice box or glucose tablets with 15 carbs, but sometimes a snack with 15 carbs and then recheck 15 minutes later.
Alissa: Do other kids ever ask, “Can you have this?”, when you know you can’t?
Molly: People do that all the time, like in the theater for Valentine’s day we got donuts and everyone asked, “Can’t you just have one?” I explain briefly what diabetes is and although usually they don’t understand they support me or try to bring in something sugar free.
Alissa: Have you ever been acknowledged by some mean diabetes name? How do you handle any negative comments?
Molly: From 1st grade up until 4th grade a mean boy called me diabetes girl. I didn’t tell anyone, because I thought nothing would be done about the bullying. I also thought he wouldn’t stop calling me names and telling someone would only make him do it more.
Alissa: Do you ever feel your friends are avoiding you because they’re scared of you (and your diabetes)?
Molly: No I don’t, but it happens to a lot of other diabetics
Alissa: Do your friends not invite you over secretly because they’re worried about your diabetes?
Molly: Most likely, but I don’t know for sure. It’s hard when I hear about the foods kids are having at birthday parties and all of my friends who attend, and I am usually the only friend left out. I’m told that there was a limit on who they can invite. It does hurt my feelings, but I’m use to it and accept it and know this isn’t a good friend but an acquaintance and just accept them for who they are.
Alissa: Do you ever feel left out in school activities, experiments, or holidays because of diabetes?
Molly: A lot of the time, because people will get to eat things in class during parties or for fun, and I don’t. I am accustomed to knowing I have to pass on the treats. I feel upset, but I know I need to stay healthy and make the right choices. I’m used to it, but it still is hard.
Alissa: Do people ever go, “Is diabetes contagious?”
Molly: Yes! All the time! This is the worst comment out of all comments, it’s so annoying and I hate it! People get scared thinking they are going to get diabetes and step away from me. – almost every new person I meet asks” isn’t diabetes contagious” and I say, “only in genetics”.
Alissa: How do you handle ketones?
Molly: I handle ketones by drinking water non-stop throughout those 2 hours and DON’T EXERCIZE IF THERE ARE SMALL OR ABOVE!
Molly you are an incredibly special girl and I’m always so proud of you. You are a gift, and such a
good, well mannered daughter! I couldn’t be more proud of you!