Type 1 in my 2 year old

Garry,

It must awful for you to have this happen; as a father I can completely empathise with your hurt on this.

However Type 1 diabetes is a manageable condition and it is not something that will curtail your son if you and he get to grips with it. I've been Type 1 since I was 10 and have had a very good, fun and active life and will continue to do so all being well.

This forum is a great resource; why not read and post any questions in the Diabetes Youth Club? That is the most appropriate section for children with diabetes.

There is a huge amount to learn but it you have a methodical and practical approach to managing diabetes then nothing is insurmountable.

The main thing with Type 1 diabetes is balancing carbohydrates that are eaten with insulin taken, I have no experience of managing diabetes in children but if one of my sons were to develop it I would very strongly push for a pump; it seems anecdotally at least the easiest and best way; or I would like a very good explanation as to why one would not be appropriate.

Lastly, children are incredibly adaptable; your son will adapt and manage with your support and love. But as a parent I'm afraid the loss and sadness will probably be yours alone and not your child's; he won't know anything different - that's a double edged sword of course, but there we are.

This must be a terrible shock and a terrible worry; but this is not the end of the world it is just a new set of procedures to learn.

Your boy is going to be fine.

Best

Dillinger

Hi, I'm so sorry to read about your son's diagnosis. I am also a parent of a type 1 child, my daughter was diagnosed nearly six years ago when she had just turned 4. My advice to a parent of a newly diagnosed child is to learn as much as possible about type 1 and a book I highly recommend is Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults. In the early days of diagnosis the content of the book might sound very complicated and daunting but once you've had a chance to settle into the routine of diabetes I would recommend to start reading up and learning as much as you can. The better your knowledge the better you'll be able to manage your child's diabetes and be able to make informed decisions - to me knowledge is everything if you want to achieve good control. There is a youths section to this forum which us parents keep an eye on so feel free to use that section and also the Type 1 section to ask questions and get support. The other thing in addition to the book I recommend is making use of this forum for advice and sometimes just for support. I have found that other parents here (and adults here who have type 1 themselves) will understand and know what you mean much more than friends and family who have no understanding of what is involved.

Gary,

Sorry about your boys diagnosis, the JDFR is an organisation that supports research and funding for children, parents and adults living and dealing with type 1 diabetes, here is their website with contact details:

http://www.jdrf.org.uk/about-us

noblehead said:

Gary,

Sorry about your boys diagnosis, the JDFR is an organisation that supports research and funding for children, parents and adults living and dealing with type 1 diabetes, here is their website with contact details:

http://www.jdrf.org.uk/about-us

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JDFR are very good Gary, but I am sorry to hear of your sons diagnosis It's not the end of the world and he should lead a happy and active life. It's the parents who find it so hard, it's a HUGE shock to the system with a lot to take in. Get all the help and support you are entitled to and if there is anything you don't understand, then just ask, ask lots of questions. Best wishes to you, your son and family

So sorry to hear about your little boy.

You have already been given some excellent advice and joining this forum is the first step in dealing with this diagnosis.

One thing I would suggest if you have not been told already is to give your son his injection after he has eaten. Sometimes it is difficult to predict how much a small child will eat, so by doing the injection after you can avoid giving too much.

There are many parents on this forum who are always willing to give advice, offer some guidance or even just listen when you are having a bad day and need to let of steam.

garryd69 said:

Firstly I've just cried more than I ever have due to reading so much about so many wonderful people with advice and help to offer. I feel only for him and some of you have put that at ease. I thank you all from the bottom of my very heavy heart tonight. I feel so angry but am unsure if it's at myself or what????

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Aaawww gary, in time it will get easier for you all. It's sounds like the diabetes that you are angry with and 'why did my son get it, or why do this to a child, it's so unfair', it's a normal emotion. I'm sure more parents will help and support you through this difficult time. Hang in there, your boy needs you and you sound like a great, sensible and very caring dad indeed :clap:

Hi Garry

Welcome to the forum

Can't add any more to what you've been told just wanted to say Hi

mary x