It was Sunday, October 28, 2012. My son, Dan, was 9 years old and in 4th grade.  We had a busy weekend planned; on Saturday we had 2 different community Halloween Parties, both of which I was coordinating.  Dan kept running to the bathroom and complaining of a headache, but I was busy and didn’t think much of it.  On Sunday morning we got up early to participate in a Walk for Peace Outside Campus at SUNY Purchase.  We got there around 9 am and Dan kept complaining that he was thirsty, tired and kept having to go to the bathroom before the walk even started.  I brought scooters for our kids figuring it would be easier than walking a 5K with a 9 and 7-year old.  My husband grabbed a Gatorade for Dan hoping it would boost his mood and his energy.  The 5K started and Dan continued to complain that his head still hurt, had to go the bathroom again, was tired and didn’t feel well.  I told my husband to finish with my daughter and that we would wait in the car.  While waiting I called the doctor’s office and got an appointment. Hurricane Sandy was due to hit the next day and if Dan was sick with something, we might not be able to get there until the following day.  While sitting in the car, Dan had to go to the bathroom multiple times and was just so tired.

We had time before the doctor, so I tried to get Dan to eat scrambled eggs and toast of which he had no interest.  By the time we got to the doctor, I started to have suspicions that he might have diabetes. My mom has T1D and my first cousin’s son was diagnosed with T1D a few months prior. The doctor checked his blood sugar and we all saw that he was HIGH.  The doctor said to pack a bag and head to Columbia.  The next 3 nights were spent learning how to manage T1D while riding out the Hurricane in the hospital. We went from having a kid that hated needles and shots to having to give him multiple injections per day.  The Lantus burned as it entered his body and he cried each time it was administered.  Food was now associated with a finger prick and an injection.  You had to figure out what you were going to eat and how many carbs the food had BEFORE you ate.  If you decided you were no longer hungry halfway through the meal, you were in trouble as his blood sugar would drop because too much insulin was given.

Fast forward 5 years to July 2017.  I was getting my 12-year old daughter, Alyssa ready to go to camp. She mentioned how thirsty she was and that she was taking a water bottle to bed every night.  In passing, I said maybe we should check your blood sugar, but let it go as we were rushing to get her to camp.  That night I had a tennis match and my husband was handling dinner. My daughter mentioned her concerns to him, and he decided to check her blood sugar – she was around 450.  My husband had Dan double check the test – she was 500. My husband didn’t know what to do so he brought the kids to the tennis courts.  All of a sudden, my 2 kids come running on to the tennis court and Alyssa was screaming. “Mom I have diabetes!” Dan pulled out a vial of insulin and a syringe.  I walked off the court completely shocked. While walking out of the tennis center I called the endocrinologist and pediatrician.  I hoped to keep Alyssa out of the hospital. Since she didn’t have ketones, she avoided a hospital stay.  The next day we all headed to the doctor for additional information.

Here we are in the summer of 2019. I have 2 fantastic kids pumping with the 670g Medtronic.  They are primarily independent in their care and I’m incredibly proud of both of them for handling this disease with such maturity.   The JDRF walk is a great way for friends and family to show their support for Dan and Alyssa.  Year after year we walk with the hope that funds raised will help fund a cure.  My kids look forward to the walk every year – It has become a day where we celebrate all of those with type 1.

By Deidre Kimble