GUIA PRACTICA DE LO QUE NO HAY QUE DECIRLE A UN DIABETICO

When I became diagnosed with diabetes a year ago, it nearly killed me. My parents became obsessed with diabetes, and have always helped me. Here are a few tips on how to help your child with diabetes...

1. Never, never, NEVER groan when your child has a high number. Yes, we know it's high. It's usually not our fault. When it is our fault, though, do remind us gently not to eat that last cake slice.
2. Don't go crazy when we have low numbers. Ok? Yes, we sometimes have 40s and lower. Just hand us a juice. Don't go crazy.
3. Don't pressurize us 24/7 to do exercise when we are high. Being high and exercising is the last thing we want to do. Instead, suggest walking in place for about 15 minutes to half an hour. It works great with me! If it doesn't work, don't just boot your child out the door. Do everything with him/her, so (s) he does not feel lonely.
4. Don't complain about us having diabetes. It's not our fault.
5. Be patient when the littler kids cry about shots. It's scary.
6. A pump is probably the scariest thing about diabetes in the world. At 13 years of age, I still get the chills, even though I've had the pump since early August. Be extremely patient with the pump.
7. Participate in the walks. They will make you feel good, and you get great stuff, too! Like free testers and test strips!
8. Make your kid prepared, but not excessively. Only pack us up with a tester, a juice, and a quick 15 carb snack. That's it.
9. Don't cry in front of us. That just makes us more depressed knowing that we caused this for you.
10. Finally, support us in everything we do. If we want to go jet packing off the Niagara Falls, don't stop us by saying, "You can't do that. How will you do your shots?" Instead, take about 20 minutes discussing how you are going to manage your diabetes and still have fun. It will pay off in the end, trust me.