An outreach

Dear local family of the newly diagnosed 4 year old boy,

I don't know you, but I do know what you're going through right now. A Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis is quite a blow. I remember being totally devastated when Adele was diagnosed. Any diagnosis described with the word "chronic" or followed by the phrase "there is no cure" is something that everyone wishes that they'll never hear. It is a loss that needs to be mourned. It is okay and very normal to feel the way that you do...

Even if your son's life is no longer the same, there will eventually be some good that will come out this hardship. It's very normal if you cannot see this right now, but someday I really hope that you will. He will adapt to the needles and to his new way of life and he will be okay. He will grow up to be much more compassionate and appreciative of the blessings in his life.

Adele was 2.5 years old when she was diagnosed and now over 8 years later, she doesn't even remember what her life was before Diabetes. It's simply part of who she is and in her mind who she has always been. She can play whatever sports that she chooses just like her friends. She runs, plays, dances, rides her bike, skates and really enjoys life. The needles, site changes and blood glucose tests are now just part of what she needs to do, merely a task that needs to be taken care of just like homework, getting dressed in the morning and brushing her teeth. Her friends are very supportive. Like other kids, she's resilient and so is your son.

If someone would have told me 10 years ago what my life would be like today, I would have told them that there is no way that I was capable of managing it all. But today, I am living this life. I am indeed stronger than I ever thought I was. As much as I wish that this Type 1 Diabetes thing would go away tomorrow, it has molded and transformed me in ways that I could never have imagined. Connecting with Type 1 families, getting to know other parents of Type 1 children through my blog as well as support groups continue to help me cope. It doesn't fix anything, but it does make me feel better knowing that we're not alone.

Don't hesitate to reach out and try to take things one step at a time. Diabetes is a very technical disease so give yourself time to continue to learn. I know that there's really not anything that I can tell you right now to make things better, but just hang in there... things will get better and you will get through this.

Please send me an email (velo_mike@hotmail.com) if you want to chat or setup a meeting. Our family would be more than happy to sit and talk.

Sincerely,

Mike