I agree with the other who have posted about this forum being a help to those either with DB or those who live with/care for those with DB.
Although I have been a "member" for a couple of years I'm not what you would call a regular visitor/poster, one of the reasons being due to my work & the shifts that go with it. Once I've got up after nights or the half nights (finishing at 4am on Fri/Sat/Sun mornings is sooooo nice!!!!! :cry: ) I'm usually too busy with my normall everyday life that I can go a week or two where I don't even look at the computer.
I like the wide diversity of this forum - by that I'm not talking about colour of skin/religions/political stance, I'm more on about how DB affects us all in different ways & how what works for you doesn't for me etc. As a busy shiftworker who also enjoys distance running, I have on occasion replied to topics about doing sport or school sports/games when mums & dads on here are naturally concerned for their kids, and want them to enjoy their childhood & not miss out on growing up. If through my own trial/error/experimentation I have come up with something that helps me run 5/6/7 miles, 4 or 5 times p/week & I can pass this onto others to help them maintain better BG's, lose weight or help a child grow up with as much "normality" as possible then that makes me feel better about myself; and by reading about what works for others constantly challenges me to challenge myself about what I'm doing - is it the right thing for me. (Please don't reply to my "normality" comment above to the effect that DB's are/aren't normal, I only used the word to illustrate a point in that DB shouldn't stop any child or person for that matter doing the things they want to).
A friend's child has been diagnosed with DB and I think the information given by their GP wasn't much help. It appears to be the usual; only feed your son this/that/the other & inject him with so much of this at these times. My friend approached me & asked dozens upon dozens of questions, a lot of which I couldn't answer because I wasn't diagnosed with DB until I was 35 and the lad was only 11. The lad had only been on insulin for a couple of weeks (2 months at the most???) when his school wrote home stating he wasn't allowed to participate in games & could no longer play for the school footie team (apparently a bad hypo during a game, everyone panics & calls ambulance). Obviously my friend & his wife were beside themselves with what to do, how to cope, and they were the ones who said to me "We just want "name" to have a normal childhood, and go out & play with his mates. He loves the footie team & has cried his little heart out because the teachers won't let him play".
I suggested that they look at this forum, telling them that there are parents of DB children on here, that they could join ask questions & speak to other parents who have either gone through or are going through the same as them.
I asked how things were going & had they found this forum any help. I got a "Hrumph, bunch of idiots on there, it seems to be the same people over & over either slagging each other off or blowing smoke up someone elses..............." (leave you to insert your word here).
Now, this is the point of my post, (I know it's taken a long time to get here), but here was an oppurtunity for this forum to make a difference. To help educate & inform 2 very loving & worried parents raise their child. In turn they & this forum could help & educate someoen who at the age of 11 is going to have to spend the next 60/70 years with DB.
Like all of us on here, we all have to try different things to find what works for us. Low-carbing, Atkins, Dukan diet etc to name but just a few. Here was the chance to help a family try the different things suggested on here, find one that works for them & help a little boy grow up to the fullest person he can be.
Thanks to the extreme "childish" attitudes of so-called "adults" this little boy's parents are still struggling to find out all the information that is potentially open to them because they now won't look at this site. We all know that DB isn't a one size fits all, and that how you cope with and manage it isn't a one size fits all - it's more of a bespoke/tailor made to fit kind-a-thing.
I don't know exactly what went on and in some respects I don't really want or need to know. What I do know is that this forum should now become the RONSEAL QUICK DRYING WOOD STAIN of DB discussions and do exactly what it says on the tin - a place for those with DB or those who live with/care for someone with DB to post questions & get answers to DB related matters. Where they can receive or give help and support or be supported.
Yes there will always be a difference of opinion, but the way I look at it is like this, I may not like someone elses view, but if I want then to listen to & respect me for having my views, I in turn need to listen to & respect them for having their views.
Right, you can get back to watching Corrie now............................... :shock:
