
(Below)Sarah, explains to the boys how she programs Ronia's pump to deliver insulin.
Sarah: "Without a doubt the toughest part is it's relentlessness. The disease never takes a break and so neither do you. It isn't always at the forefront of your mind, though, but it shadows every day in some way. Every meal, every party, every unexpected game of tag. It's always there needing attention. Diabetes is a total narcissist."
Sharon: What's the biggest thing you've learned about yourself as a mother of a diabetic?
Sarah: "I think I've been most surprised by my learning to accept things I can't change and move on from mistakes. I'm a perfectionist and really hard on myself, but I think this disease is helping in that because mistakes are inevitable. I can only control my responses, not the disease."
Sharon: What would you say to someone raising a young child with diabetes, who needed to be encouraged?
Sarah: "I promise it gets better. It won't swallow up your family or destroy your baby's childhood. You will emerge to find a new normal, stronger and closer. Developing a good sense if humor helps too!"
So there you have it, just like most of our struggles, it's not the end of the world but it is a real and true struggle that many people deal with every single day, something there is yet no cure for. You can however encourage those around you. You may never know what others may be struggling with-if you have diabetes or care for someone who does, I hope this has encouraged you today. The best part about the Bauer's story is this-they refuse to let it get them down and they are stronger for it.
This is Ronia. Diabetes may be a relentless narcissist, but don't worry-she's got this!