Why Cindy Lou Who Needs Her Whoville

Jim Carrey's Grinch

Sometimes I call type 1 diabetes a monster.  I reserve the term for those particularly bad days.  You know the kind.  We have all had them.  But I guess you could even call type 1 diabetes a Grinch.  That would suit it just as easily.

Now to be clear, this isn't a holiday story or even one about a very popular movie.  It is more of an insight that our family had about needing to be with people that understand. 

Really and truly understand. 

It is about making connections.

At the walk, I met a little boy who hadn't been around any people living with type 1 diabetes on a regular basis. 

He had been diagnosed for around a year and he was quite possibly, the sweetest kid that I have ever spoken with.  He was articulate, attentive, thoughtful and very happy to be in attendance during the walk. 

The boy even wore pink.  Yes, a boy in pink.  Willingly. 

Nothing could describe his coolness better than that.

While he was at the walk, he breathed in all of the surroundings and took notice of the hundreds of people gathered, especially the kids living with type 1 diabetes.

His smile was huge. 

This event was clearly full of his kind of peeps (and mine too). 

We talked for a few moments about what kinds of things we liked best.  His favorite was the petting farm, complete with a tiny, adorable hedgehog.  Mine was the clown's expression after making three million complicated balloon sculptures.  (Nothing is funnier than seeing the clown simply blow up a balloon and call it a worm!) 

After the walk, we invited the boy and his family back for a thank you lunch.  While at our house, our youngest daughter spoke up and said, "I need to test because I think I am really low."  Seconds later, the blood sugar meter beeped it's warning and a 52 appeared.

The boy watched us hustle to get some glucose tabs and a little bottle of juice.  The scenario prompted him to suddenly announce, "I better get tested too." 

Again, the beep of a meter and a second reading of 62 popped up, along with a huge grin.  

He giggled and said, "I am low too!  Ha! Ha!"

More laughter ensued and our oldest daughter joined in with a third blood sugar test.  Complete disappointment rained over her face when the meter gave out a cheery 144. 

Despite the two low blood sugars and a perfect in-range number, the three kids laughed some more and told old war stories of type 1 diabetes lows and highs.  Theirs was a kinship unparalleled with none.  It was pure magic upon first meter beep.

And believe me, as a parent, nothing sounds better than laughter over what could be a very stressful situation.

I know that we are doing something right.  Our kids feel reassured too.  They do not feel worried or insecure or even isolated through having type 1 diabetes.

Instead, they realize that they have each other (and many, many, many other children and adults too). 

This is exactly the reason of why we walk (or attend conferences, diabetes camp, support groups, etc.).

Because even Cindy Lou Who needs her Whoville to defeat the Grinch.

Dr. Suess's Whoville

And at that moment three super amazing kids, kicked that diabetes monster (or Grinch) all the way back to the top of the mountain.

What We Teach (or What We Have to Learn)

I sent my oldest off to school today.  Nothing different from most weekdays.  She showered, dressed and ate breakfast quietly.  It was early and she is more of late riser, so our conversation tends to be nothing more than the facts.

"Did you remember to pack your lunch?" 

"Mmmhmmm.."

"Clean gym clothes?"

"Yes."

"Oh.  Bolus?"

"Yep."

Just a slight grimace on her face when I asked the last question... I know better than to bring it up, but sending her off to school is daunting without that final answer.  That was about it.  Then, the door of our car swung closed and she was off to start another day of middle school.

Here is where it is different:  Today, my daughter volunteered to open up and share a little insight of what it is like to live with Type 1 Diabetes.  She was going to broadcast the information on her school inner-television station and address all of her teachers as well as the listening audience - which is comprised of about 700+ students.

I wasn't going to be there.  Not to help her or guide her or even encourage her. 

I also didn't ask her to do this.  This is her own willingness to share her personal story.

Why on earth would any kid at this age open themselves up to be a potential target of teasing or bullying or just being perceived as being different?

My daughter is hopeful (and yes, young, innocent and brave too), so middle school doesn't seem like the tortured place that many of us remember.  Instead, she believes it to be a world unto it's own where kids are actually full of the possibility and hope of being able to make a difference.  Kids can nurture ideas, grow them into reality and make change. 

Kids are amazing.

At least that is what my daughter feels. 

When I think about the unfairness (and I don't use that term lightly) of all that she has gone through after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, this is the part of her that inspires me most; her ability to persevere through the struggles and to be able to find the hope - regardless of what she is doing or even whom she is with.

Even with a bunch of middle school kids that probably can not spell DIABETES but most likely, do not even care enough to listen or learn about what she is trying to tell them.

None of that matters to her.  All she sees is the hope that maybe one kid (or teacher) will listen, learn and maybe even donate to help us get closer to that cure. 

I feel like I have so much to learn.

Rock Star Status For A Day (or Then What?)

Now that the t.v. cameras have come and gone and our friends and family are slowly quieting down on the initial excitement of seeing someone they know on television;

We are still here...

Two sisters living with type 1 diabetes.

I don't remark on this for pity because pretty much, anyone reading our blog will have some affiliation with type 1 diabetes.

You guys already get it.

You understand the desperate need to find a cure.

I say this because advocating for change is not just one single moment on television.  It is the ability to persevere and continue on that mission for as long as it takes -  even after the t.v. spot aired, the walks have happened and our children are safely settled into school.

There are so many positive things to continue to do to raise awareness and some take little to almost zero effort...

If you haven't already done so, think about adding one of these six fun things into your list of helping bring awareness to type 1 diabetes

1.)  Apply to the 2013 JDRF Children's Congress or write a letter to your own congressional leader to let them know of the impact that type 1 diabetes has on your life and how you would love to see funding for research and ultimately, a cure!

2.)  Become a new family JDRF Mentor.

3.)  Sign up to help with the 2013 JDRF walk to cure type 1 diabetes.

4.)  Join a JDRF Coffee Group or start one in your area.

5.)  Start planning on sending your child to ADA or Lions or any other local diabetes camp in your area.  Believe it or not, early registration happens soon.  Our town starts accepting applications in December.

6.)  If you see a child or an adult living with type 1 diabetes, give them a hug and remind them that they are brave, beautiful and amazing!