It is difficult for anyone to handle Diabetes alone, especially a child. When first diagnosed it is really scary, especially if the diagnosis occurred because of a sugar crisis, hospitalization, or coma. Unfortunately, crisis is the most common way that children are diagnosed. Chances are the child’s parents are freaking out about making the life and death decisions regarding maintaining sugar levels, and the child probably is too. Whether real or imagined a child with diabetes feels different from peers. During school hours, the diabetic child needs to check sugar levels, use insulin before eating lunch, and have emergency food on hand. The diabetic child may not be able to participate in certain programs anymore.

For example, my children’s favorite summer camp doesn’t accept diabetic children. This also used to be my son’s best friend Jared’s favorite camp as well. They enjoyed going there together for a week every summer, now that isn’t possible. They were inseparable for years until Jared’s crisis diagnosis. His family had such a difficult time stabilizing his sugar that he couldn’t go anywhere for months. Finally, with much trepidation his mother allowed him to spend a night as long as I promised to get up in the night and check his sugar.

Although I didn’t have a child with diabetes, I did have a child that required daily injections so that made his mom a little more comfortable. She also knew that we had several special needs children that required medications so she knew we wouldn’t forget. Jared’s mom desperately needed a break; she was getting up every two hours checking his sugar. She didn’t ask for help because he was her child. Jared needed to be able to feel like a kid again, he was only 11 when diagnosed.

Don’t be afraid to offer to help. Because each person’s experience with diabetes is different, it is important to learn all you can about your friend’s disease. Ask your friend to help you understand the symptoms of low blood sugar and how you can help. If you are considering adopting a child with diabetes, attend local classes and join a support group. Learn all you can about managing the disease and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

This is an excellent explanation of type one and type two diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With Type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth.

To order your free copy of Tips for Helping a Person with Diabetes contact the National Diabetes Education Program 1-888-693-NDEP (6337).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2007