It takes a villiage

It takes a village….

I am so grateful that we have so many family and friends who support, care and love our children. It honestly takes a village to raise a child; this is even more important when you have a child with juvenile diabetes. Fortunately in our situation, family and friends want to be educated and want to be informed about Alyssa’s care.

The first people that need to be educated are the other children that live in the home. I have 2 amazing sons who have always looked out for their baby sister, well when she’s not getting on their nerves. But in all honesty, since she was diagnosed, they are on her like white on rice. We’ve trained them in a sense by letting them check her glucose levels, giving her injections, educating them on what she can eat and what to look for. They have also dealt really well with the changes that have had to be made around here; Splenda instead of sugar, diet drinks, no candy….and if they buy their own candy, they don’t eat it in front of her. And it’s not that she can never have candy, it just has to be monitored.

My mother and mother-in-law have also been a great help. It was about 5 months after her diagnosis before Alyssa spent the night away from home, which was a long time for her because she loved spending weekends with her grandmothers. It’s a huge responsibility and they have made it possible for me and my husband to get away, take a break, and know that our little girl is being well taken care of.

Our friends are the best! I’m hearing about research they’ve read about, food ideas and substitutes. They continuously ask about Alyssa and when we are all together they are genuinely curious about her care and want to take part in it.

Outside of the home, more than likely the first people that need to be educated are teachers and school staff as they are with your child several hours a day. We are very fortunate that Alyssa’s school has a wonderful, caring staff. I’ll have a post about diabetes and school soon as I prepare for Alyssa’s return to school next month.

All in all, the most important thing is for Alyssa to know that she is loved and that diabetes does not define who she is. She is still that smart, silly, busy little girl who just so happens to have a disease. Our family and friends have been a tremendous part in helping her recognize that.