Leah, Frustrating - expecting professionals to understand and finding out they dont! I have a son with food allergies, and I always tell people this, hand over his Epi-pen, and go about my business. This summer, I occasionally worked in a kitchen that served food to kids that were involved in summer programs. Each week, there would be a different list of kids and their allergies. I knew what this meant, and was extra cautious with those kids, making sure they had adequate substitutions, etc. The second to the last week of the summer, the kitchen manager was really stressed. Come to find out, there was a child with a peanut allergy, if they consumed the food, they MIGHT DIE! I was shocked - this child was no different than any other child that came through that summer with an EPI Pen, they all might die. Apparently, this person didn't have that grasp of the situation, the difference was, this child's parent sent an additional letter to the cook explaining exactly. I realized that I can't just assume teachers know things with my child, and the more fear I put in them, the better = ).
With Diabetes, you learn in health classes, or Red cross first aid courses, what to do in Emergency. Give sugar, call 911.If they are too high, it won't make a difference, if low, they will respond right away. There is never any information about the actual disease, and the effect of exercise, except maybe that with type II you can sometimes control it with diet and exercise. Have a meeting face to face with every teacher your daughter has and explain the illness. Explain what can happen if the lows or highs go untreated, and things that could make that happen (unplanned activity) Also explain your daughters specific characteristics when going low, or high. It isn't enough to talk to the classroom teacher and principal, often the music/pe/art/etc. teachers don't get the communication. The good teachers will be thankful. sorry, not meant to lecture-just to show support!!!

Hi, I saw your comment about the PE teacher -- I'm wondering if you have a 504 Plan on file at your daughter's school?? I finally got my daughter's high school to write one out for her, even though the teachers & coaches seem to be cooperating with us. It puts everything in writing & makes it official. Check the ADA site for "Safe at School" or Children With Diabetes has sample 504 plans. Gotta get these schools under control! - Sarah

Hey! Oh that's so cool- I started playing violin/viola when I was five also. Diabetic violinists are the coolest kind of violinists! Playing an instrument is an amazing kind of therapy when you have diabetes. It seems to be one of the only ways to completely lose yourself and forget about diabetes for a while. I hope she keeps playing! :)

Hey Leah! I'm doing good :) My alert dog's name is Shyla. She came from Betheden Kennels in Oklahoma City. My endo tried to talk me into a CGM, but like Jillian I didn't fancy the idea of two sites (I'm on the pump too). I remembered my first year at diabetes camp somebody had mentioned that some people were experimenting with training dogs to alert to blood sugars, so I did some research and came across Betheden. There are drawbacks, though. Like at school. I'm sure Jillian wont have the same problems I did. I've always been picked on in school. I was homeschooled until 6th grade and then 7th grade I went to public school. My brother did the same thing. We're both half Indian and we live in a VERY racist town. Here, it's pretty much if your different in any way, you get picked on. So we both got picked on by the racist kids and I also got picked on for diabetes. After I got Shyla, it stopped for a while because I was the "cool kid with the dog in school." When the excitement from the dog died down, they went back to picking on me and started harassing my dog. The principal refused to address the problem, so now I'm in the process of switching schools. But like I said, I don't think Jillian will have this problem. Ann (Shyla's trainer) hasn't had this happen before. The only other drawback is sometimes I forget to scent train with her, which makes her not alert as accurately as she should. But that's my fault, not Shyla's. Or I don't feel like doing a finger prick so I don't pay attention to her. Then a friend will notice and make me check. Overall, Shyla has been really good for me. My a1c started to come down the first three months after I got her, but then it went back up because I got bronchitis. So we'll see how it does this time...Lol I think I could ramble all night as well! Talk soon, k?

Hey Leah! How are you?

Hi Leah, it looks like we have a similar timeline - I noticed you were talking about the Dexcom - my 10 year old loves his. He was also diagnosed in 2008 (in September) and we use EMLA cream when we insert it. He loves being able to look at it instead of check all the time, and although I don't think he needs the cream it makes a huge difference for him psychologically. I wore one for a couple of days as well! Let me know if you have any questions. : )

Great pictures!!

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