Reply to Thread

Guest, we'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the Diabetes Forum Survey 2025 »

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cotcha" data-source="post: 1436289" data-attributes="member: 381240">[USER=162868]@Gemmablower[/USER] your post brings up some important points, especially for me. My son was diagnosed when he was 4 years old many years ago. His ability to accept with very little complaints his situation is astounding (of course, it's pretty much all he's ever know). But one thing which really infuriates me is the the general lack of knowledge, both at the personal and medical level, concerning the overwhelming sacrifices that need to be made to allow our son to live the same life as any other 11 year old. The amount of times I've heard 'no more cake for him then' as if having Type 1 diabetes is like some Hollywood dieting fad. The care needed for our son to be at the level we deem necessary takes vast amounts of time, sacrifice and punishment. Either those close to us feel it is nothing different than not eating sweets or they are so fearful of his care that they hide away. As such, there is my wife and me and no one else. It is exhausting (even if you just consider the nights) and has pretty much meant that we have had to have one of us always out of work (fortunately I am a researcher and have flexible work hours). The reason for this is that we firmly believe that his illness is our illness until he is ready to take it on board. He's 11 years old and like most 11 year olds 5 minutes is no different than 5 hours. That's the beauty of childhood, it sets it's own limits and works with it's own time. Diabetes does not. To force on him the responsibility for his own care before it has any benefit for him would strip all that away from him. I thank you [USER=162868]@Gemmablower[/USER] for your post. I think it is essential that we do not hide away from the fact that to look after a child with Type 1 is nothing short of shattering. Of course, diabetes varies from one person to another, not to mention social situations or personal believes about care. But for a large portion of people, they put their own lives on pause so that their child can live on fast forward.</blockquote>

Verification

Top Bottom

Search

Search

Reply to Thread