I am a Type I Diabetic. Some of you may already know this, but there are plenty just getting to know me who did not know before now. In my many years of dealing with Diabetes I’ve found that many friends and acquaintances don’t know a whole lot about the disease and are reticent to ask questions. You may know someone, or a few people, who have Diabetes in one form or another but not really understand what that means. You’ve heard that we’re not supposed to have sugar, but then someone will say they’ve got “low blood sugar” and find them devouring candy or guzzling fruit juice.  The deficiency of diabetic education in the general public can be frustrating and perplexing to both diabetics and the people around them. 

One Scared Little Boy

Not long after my divorce, I bought a little home in the suburbs for my son J— and me.  At that time I’d been living with Diabetes for about 15 years. At nine years-old, J– had always been told I had Diabetes and I explained it as best I could in a way he could understand. However, shortly after we moved to our new home, it was brought to my attention one day that he hadn’t really had to deal with my condition, it was more like a bit of useless trivia to him. 

I don’t recall exactly what we were doing that day, but I stopped suddenly, told J– my blood sugar was low and got something to eat. In a matter of moments, we went from having a normal day, working and playing together, to Mom having a hard time talking and thinking, eating whatever I could get my hands on, and not responding well to his questions. Understandably, J– was a little freaked out and said later he was afraid because he didn’t know what was happening. 

Instructions

I think it’s completely natural to want to protect children from the more difficult aspects of life as long as we can. But I also hold to the idea that we should not be raising children, we need to raise adults. And one of the most important tools in our parenting kit should be truth. When we are truthful and honest (I’ll discuss the difference later) when possible, it leads to trust, the most important tool we can have. 

So, when the sugar dust had settled that day, I realized I needed to discuss what happened with J– and come up with a plan for the next time, because there would most assuredly be a next time. We got a piece of paper and a pencil and I had him write down his instructions for “In Case Mom Has Low Blood Sugar (BS).” Sometime later I posted the same list at my work and discussed it with co-workers so they would know what to do and what symptoms to look for. Now I’m sharing my instructions with the world:

If you or someone you know has Diabetes, or any medical condition that may result in an altered state of mind or being, I would encourage you to make your own list of instructions. The philosophers of “Schoolhouse Rock!” always taught that “Knowledge is power!” and I believe that holds true in most any case. Knowledge of how you can help gives you the power to help save someone. 

In closing, I’d like to say to all my fellow Diabetics out there – we all know Diabetes sucks, but we don’t have to let it suck the life out of us. Check your blood sugars, stay active and know that you’re not alone. There are millions of us out there that understand exactly what you’re going through and are able to help with whatever challenge you’re facing today.