I'm looking for parents with a child with type 1 diabetes.

Mayme - posted on 02/14/2010

I have had type 1 diabetes for 30 years now. Things were really rough through the teenage years for me. I felt anger and rebellion toward my diabetes. I had a sense of why did this happen to me going on and I did everything I could think of to pretend it wasn't happening. I didn't test. I ate things I shouldn't. I just didn't want to take care of myself. I got depressed and didn't care. I got so out of control that I almost died. I was life flighted to the nearest Children's hospital. I almost lost my life because of my rebellion. I was very fortunate to not have suffered any permanant damage from that and to have not died. Adolescence is not easy for kids with diabetes. It's not easy for any kid but the diabetes makes it harder. I think the jar idea is good. It could be a good motivator. Remember, too that changing bodies and hormones make good control harder to maintain. So, don't focus so much on perfect numbers but more on doing what it takes to do the best you can. Also, I agree on the pump. I got my first one three years ago and love it! You do have to test a lot with a pump but the pump gives you better control, more flexibility with times of eating and the things you can eat. It mimics the body's natural way of handling things much better than shots do. Pumps are a lot of work but that work really pays off. And for an example of what you can do as a person with type 1 diabetes check out Bret Michaels. (Poison) What teenager wouldn't want to be a rock star? If he can be a rock star with type 1 diabetes there is nothing you can't do.

Brittany - posted on 02/08/2010

Hello! I have diabetis and have had it since i was 10, almost 14 years and i can honestly say that i HATED checking my sugars and my parents really had a hard time making me... Now, 23 i have 2 kids and my oldest one has special needs b/c i didnt keep my sugars under control... I also watched Oprah and they had showed a woman with her leg amputated and part of her foot and was in kidney faiilure... I do check my sugars alot more after having kids and also am getting back on my insulin pump...does she have one of those?? there great and the newest one will beep at you until you take ur sugar and sends it to your pump...pretty cool!!! Its hard...maybe you need to talk to the doctor and see if she/u both could meet someone who has had something amputated so she can see the effects if you dont check your sugars or take care of yourself....

Kathleen - posted on 01/24/2010

Our eldest daughter was dx with type 1 at 2 1/2 yrs old. When she hit the teens, everything she had ever been taught went out the window. We tried everything to get her to test her levels. It was only when she met a young woman in her mid-20's who was losing her sight because of unstable sugars that it finally hit home how serious it was to test her levels. She is now almost 22 and tests regularly, takes her insulin on time and generally tries her hardest to take care of her diabetes. I wish you all the best but remember things will get better as they get older. PS I love the idea of the money jar.

Cherish - posted on 01/21/2010

My son got dx'd w/ type 1 at 8.
It was all good until he hit about 13,he also didn't want to check his sugars,eat the right food(he also has celiac).
He does not think that diabetes is a big deal.
I just told him to check and then I would look at his meter to make sure he was in fact checking and being honest about his number.

Do you have a forearm lancing device? they are less painful.

Shannon - posted on 12/29/2009

hello. i have a 16 yr old son, dx w type 1 at birth. Right now what we are doing is this: we have a jar on the kitchen table. when he doesn't check his sugar before eating, or at other needed (and reminded) times, he has to put money in the jar. Maybe a quarter, maybe 1.00, whatever seems right to you. The thing is, when he does check it without being told to, he gets the money back, so he doesn't think i am trying to get rich off him! It seems to be working pretty well. Money is really the only thing that seems real to him, a high number or no shot doesn't really matter to him right now. We have tried so many things, this is working for us right now. good luck!

Michele - posted on 10/21/2009

i'm a diabetic also and i have a 14 yr old niece that is alos and with her i have found out that if you make a game out of it you check hers then she can check yours to see who is the lowest and who wins choose what kind of sf sanck that they wanted. so far it's working..