Why did the insulin die in my pancreas?
Educate people about the huge differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Learn More
Fundraising: JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL
Donations go to:
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit)
OUR CAUSE CONTRIBUTION:
$0
Recent Cause Activity
Hello Kate, this is Robyn's mum here. Do you remember how we all met? Well life goes on. Robyn is doing well and getting on with life. She is working as an apprentice at a medical practice doing certificate III in Business administration (MEdical) How is young "Lance" going? How old is he now? We must meet up and have a picnic or something. Did you ever go back to Canberra after our last trip. That was a very emotional time planting all those syringes on the lawn, but kids are resilient and as people have written they often can't remember the pre diabetes days. It's get Robyn down on some days but she does a lot of exercises and tries hard to reach a balance of BSL's. Keep in touch
Hello! I just recently heard about this application and I was poking around for a diabetes cause or two to join, and yours just appeals to me for some reason. I've had type one for almost 23 years now-since I was ten.
I know that it's sometimes said that it would be very bad to get it as a young kid as opposed to a teenager or adult, but oddly enough I have another opinion. I am glad that if I had to get it, it was when I was so young. I didn't have an adult life for it to disrupt-it grew up with me, it has fused with my life and personality as they developed as opposed to causing the huge disruption it would to a grown person say, in college.
It's probably cold comfort, I know. But your son won't remember ever not having diabetes, and so the impact in that sense will be less. I personally don't remember not being able to inject myself, for example. It's kind of odd-I remember things that happened before I was diabetic, but I don't have the feeling of "before diabetes" as part of the memories. I hope that is clear, at least somewhat.
Also, please remember as your son grows up that in some ways, this is a lot harder on you than on him. You will have vivid memories for the rest of your life of horrible things involving your son. (At least, if you are like my parents, you will.) But most things, he will either not remember at all or only vaugely. As a loving parent I don't really think you can avoid getting vivid traumatic memories, though I truly wish you the bare minimum of such things. But remember when you have them ten or twenty years from now, they are only vivid and horrifying to you. A diabetic person does not see themselves during the seizure that scares everybody else half to death, for example. I sound so negative here and I apologize for that, but hopefully it can comfort you somewhat to know that your traumatic memories will, for the most part, not be shared by your son when he is an adult.
I know it's a rough deal, but you all will do fine. And not because you are being "brave" or "couragous" or whatever. You will do it because that is what life is now. The family can never go "back to normal" but you will eventually find a "new normal" and be just as happy as you could have been without it.
And let me just contribute one thing to the list of things we hate to hear, before I leave for now. When you take out your insulin and syringes in front of people who know darn well you're diabetic and they turn away like you just pulled out a big spider and they say "I just can't watch this". It's frustrating because you misjudged them in terms of who was "safe" to inject in front of, and also because you then feel so guilty, but at the same time kind of mad because why should you have to go hide somewhere and miss part of the fun just because people are squeamish?
I hate that so much, along with the statement, "I don't know how you do it, I could never be diabetic, I have such a needle phobia." It's meant to be a compliment, of course, and you just say "You'd be suprised what you can do," but really you just have no choice. Oops, I guess that was another thing, ha.
Good luck with your group. I will pop in once in a while and I will spread the word.
I think it's great you started this group to help to dispell the myths of diabetes and the people that have diabetes. I spend enough time either educating people around me or taking a deep breath and giving a smile. I think it's important that everyone outside of the diabetes world has some basic understanding of what we go through and what's true and not true.
I think it's great you started this group to help to dispell the myths of diabetes and the people that have diabetes. I spend enough time either educating people around me or taking a deep breath and giving a smile. I think it's important that everyone outside of the diabetes world has some basic understanding of what we go through and what's true and not true.
Hi I have Type I diabetes, I got it when I was 18 and am now 32.
I am much sadder for kids who get it when they are young because it is so hard to understand. Also it must be impossible with birthday parties and eating at school - all those chips and chocolates and cakes.
I have NovoRapid and Lantus - I think Lantus is brilliant - my control is so much better.
I also eat according to my carb ratio say 1 unit to 15 grams of carbs and again - this has been a saviour.
Frances I read what you wrote and am glad your hubby's control is better.
People say things to me like are you lazy? Why aren't you fat? There is a lot of people who hear about diabetes and assume that fat, lazy people get it.
I consider myself very lucky apart from my immune system getting low, my receding gums and things not healing too quickly, there are such benefits to having diabetes. I am more aware of my body, more attuned to my cravings, aware of what I need to do and understand tiredness, benefits of sleep and which food helps.
There is a Chinese proverb no disease short life, one disease long life.
I truly believe that we are able to look after ourselves, read about all the health and science benefits and have knowledge of our bodies that we would never have had without.
And we get to eat whatever we want now that people have come to the realisation
that we can use the insulin to suit our lifestyles not the other way round.
Hi I have Type I diabetes, I got it when I was 18 and am now 32.
I am much sadder for kids who get it when they are young because it is so hard to understand. Also it must be impossible with birthday parties and eating at school - all those chips and chocolates and cakes.
I have NovoRapid and Lantus - I think Lantus is brilliant - my control is so much better.
I also eat according to my carb ratio say 1 unit to 15 grams of carbs and again - this has been a saviour.
Frances I read what you wrote and am glad your hubby's control is better.
People say things to me like are you lazy? Why aren't you fat? There is a lot of people who hear about diabetes and assume that fat, lazy people get it.
I consider myself very lucky apart from my immune system getting low, my receding gums and things not healing too quickly, there are such benefits to having diabetes. I am more aware of my body, more attuned to my cravings, aware of what I need to do and understand tiredness, benefits of sleep and which food helps.
There is a Chinese proverb no disease short life, one disease long life.
I truly believe that we are able to look after ourselves, read about all the health and science benefits and have knowledge of our bodies that we would never have had without.
And we get to eat whatever we want now that people have come to the realisation
that we can use the insulin to suit our lifestyles not the other way round.
Hello Kate - Sarah here from the JDRF Sydney office - I hope you are well adn that your beautiful boy is doing well. Just to let you know that JDRF Australia have set up a group on facebook (search 'JDRF Australia' and join). We were not able to set it up as a cause being outside the US - btu this is the next best thing to get JDRF's Advocates talking and communicating - hope you will join too and pass along the message - Sarah x
Hello Kate - Sarah here from the JDRF Sydney office - I hope you are well adn that your beautiful boy is doing well. Just to let you know that JDRF Australia have set up a group on facebook (search 'JDRF Australia' and join). We were not able to set it up as a cause being outside the US - btu this is the next best thing to get JDRF's Advocates talking and communicating - hope you will join too and pass along the message - Sarah x
My son Oliver is five and a half and was diagnosed a month before his third birthday with Type 1. It was a very traumatic time for us as my husband also has Type 1 and blamed himself. He hadn't come to terms with his own diabetes and now he had to deal with the fact that his son had it as well. Now we can look back and think that this has actually been a benefit because Oliver has someone to share his diabetes with. We always tell him that only 'extra special' people have diabetes which he thinks is really funny! They have their own special 'betes' club that is just the two of them. It has also been good for my husband as he has now started taking better care of his diabetes and seeing all the people he is supposed to. Before Oliver was diagnosed I had no idea about diabetes so my husband would make up all types of things and I would believe him. Now he can't get away with anything as I know a lot more nowadays! I found that one of the worst things people said when they heard that Oliver's dad also has diabetes is 'well I guess that's where he got it from then.' How insensitive can people get!? And if one more person asks me if Oliver is a 'severe' diabetic I will scream. He has 4 injections a day of Novorapid and Levemir, whilst Martin his dad has Novorapid and Lantus. It's always a fun trip to the chemist to restock everything. I always joke that it looks like I've been to the supermarket after a visit to the chemist!This year he has been at kinder and I couldn't be more happy with them. They were very nervous about looking after a child with diabetes, but after they dealt with his first hypo they were fine. We are very lucky with Oliver in that most of the time he will recognise a hypo immediately so he doesn't drop too low. He has never gone unconscious or had a seizure so far which we are very grateful for. He came close a few times early on, but now it's a lot different. We have, however, spent a fair amount of time in hospital with him when he's been sick as he tends to dehydrate quite quickly and have low bsl's instead of going high. Very frustrating, especially when he also has high ketones. Try explaining to an endocrinologist that he requires less insulin when he's on a drip and not eating and they won't believe you. One time I had to refuse permission for them to administer insulin as they wouldn't listen to me and agree to less. They gave in then, and I'm glad they did because even on the lesser amount plus being on a drip he still hypoed. I dread to think how bad it would've been if I had just capitulated to them. This has taught me to always trust my instincts and to stand up for my son. I am very proud of him and how he deals with his diabetes. He knows a little bit about it as we don't hide anything from him, but we do ensure that he isn't made to feel like an outsider or 'different' from his friends. Actually some of his kinder friends have been fascinated with it and have been asking their parents all kinds of questions. One little girl even demanded that her mum make sure that Oli got a sugar-free lolly bag at her birthday party which I thought was really sweet. Another one of the boys wished that he had diabetes too so he could be just like Oli. (Hopefully that wish doesn't come true, but the thought was very nice!) At the moment he has gastro so we are stuck at home which is very frustrating, but it is the first bout of gastro he's had that has warranted a trip to hospital so I can't complain. However, we have to keep a close eye on him as the doctor has said that if he doesn't improve soon he might have to be admitted. Oliver loves going to hospital so at least we don't have to worry about that aspect. He gets really spoilt in hospital by the nurses who all know him now as he has been there 10 times since diagnosis. He has them wrapped around his little finger! Anyway, I think I've gone on for far too long here so I will leave it there. It's just nice to find other parents that are dealing with the same issues as us, but rather than moping about it are turning it into a positive. I'm actually considering getting a tattoo of a jelly baby to represent what Oliver and Martin deal with every day and how positive they are about it. It would also help me get over my phobia of needles. I can give a needle no problems, (now!) but I find it very hard to have one myself. I think that if they can do it so many times a day every day, then I can endure it for a short amount of time for them. I just haven't decided what colour I want it to be. Any suggestions?
My son Oliver is five and a half and was diagnosed a month before his third birthday with Type 1. It was a very traumatic time for us as my husband also has Type 1 and blamed himself. He hadn't come to terms with his own diabetes and now he had to deal with the fact that his son had it as well. Now we can look back and think that this has actually been a benefit because Oliver has someone to share his diabetes with. We always tell him that only 'extra special' people have diabetes which he thinks is really funny! They have their own special 'betes' club that is just the two of them. It has also been good for my husband as he has now started taking better care of his diabetes and seeing all the people he is supposed to. Before Oliver was diagnosed I had no idea about diabetes so my husband would make up all types of things and I would believe him. Now he can't get away with anything as I know a lot more nowadays! I found that one of the worst things people said when they heard that Oliver's dad also has diabetes is 'well I guess that's where he got it from then.' How insensitive can people get!? And if one more person asks me if Oliver is a 'severe' diabetic I will scream. He has 4 injections a day of Novorapid and Levemir, whilst Martin his dad has Novorapid and Lantus. It's always a fun trip to the chemist to restock everything. I always joke that it looks like I've been to the supermarket after a visit to the chemist!This year he has been at kinder and I couldn't be more happy with them. They were very nervous about looking after a child with diabetes, but after they dealt with his first hypo they were fine. We are very lucky with Oliver in that most of the time he will recognise a hypo immediately so he doesn't drop too low. He has never gone unconscious or had a seizure so far which we are very grateful for. He came close a few times early on, but now it's a lot different. We have, however, spent a fair amount of time in hospital with him when he's been sick as he tends to dehydrate quite quickly and have low bsl's instead of going high. Very frustrating, especially when he also has high ketones. Try explaining to an endocrinologist that he requires less insulin when he's on a drip and not eating and they won't believe you. One time I had to refuse permission for them to administer insulin as they wouldn't listen to me and agree to less. They gave in then, and I'm glad they did because even on the lesser amount plus being on a drip he still hypoed. I dread to think how bad it would've been if I had just capitulated to them. This has taught me to always trust my instincts and to stand up for my son. I am very proud of him and how he deals with his diabetes. He knows a little bit about it as we don't hide anything from him, but we do ensure that he isn't made to feel like an outsider or 'different' from his friends. Actually some of his kinder friends have been fascinated with it and have been asking their parents all kinds of questions. One little girl even demanded that her mum make sure that Oli got a sugar-free lolly bag at her birthday party which I thought was really sweet. Another one of the boys wished that he had diabetes too so he could be just like Oli. (Hopefully that wish doesn't come true, but the thought was very nice!) At the moment he has gastro so we are stuck at home which is very frustrating, but it is the first bout of gastro he's had that has warranted a trip to hospital so I can't complain. However, we have to keep a close eye on him as the doctor has said that if he doesn't improve soon he might have to be admitted. Oliver loves going to hospital so at least we don't have to worry about that aspect. He gets really spoilt in hospital by the nurses who all know him now as he has been there 10 times since diagnosis. He has them wrapped around his little finger! Anyway, I think I've gone on for far too long here so I will leave it there. It's just nice to find other parents that are dealing with the same issues as us, but rather than moping about it are turning it into a positive. I'm actually considering getting a tattoo of a jelly baby to represent what Oliver and Martin deal with every day and how positive they are about it. It would also help me get over my phobia of needles. I can give a needle no problems, (now!) but I find it very hard to have one myself. I think that if they can do it so many times a day every day, then I can endure it for a short amount of time for them. I just haven't decided what colour I want it to be. Any suggestions?
also another quote you might want to add is the "my grandma has diabetes!" then you ask "type 1 or 2" "two, i think" it really stinks that everyone hears diabetes and they think of type 2.
also another quote you might want to add is the "my grandma has diabetes!" then you ask "type 1 or 2" "two, i think" it really stinks that everyone hears diabetes and they think of type 2.
By what you have all done, means SO much to me. This is the most valuable way for people to learn that my son had no say in contracting this illess. Diabetes is a word often associated with shame. With your reognition of Type 1 Diabetes, you have made us both smile..and a lot of other Type 1 sufferers have seen your contribution as well, and they are smiling too. Please keep passing the word...our politicians barely acknowledge that this condition exists, so we are relying on PEOPLE POWER.
Love, Peace and Jellybabies to all.
By what you have all done, means SO much to me. This is the most valuable way for people to learn that my son had no say in contracting this illess. Diabetes is a word often associated with shame. With your reognition of Type 1 Diabetes, you have made us both smile..and a lot of other Type 1 sufferers have seen your contribution as well, and they are smiling too. Please keep passing the word...our politicians barely acknowledge that this condition exists, so we are relying on PEOPLE POWER.
Love, Peace and Jellybabies to all.
Dan is THE man. Thanks to everyone else too for spreading the word of Lance around~!
Dan is THE man. Thanks to everyone else too for spreading the word of Lance around~!
i just wanted to let you know that there are people out there that don't have diabetes who still support research by buying pins year after year :D....i have always been a proud supporter and i hope my contribution, as small as it seems in the scheme of things, helps towards finding a cure.