Today I decided to write in honor of a dear friend. Being as a lot of my writing here at Just A Branch focus’ on life’s tougher moments, and how we deal with them, this post will fit right in. Being “just a branch” comes with it the privilege of mingling with other leaves on the tree, so to speak. About a week ago we had some spare time on our hands during the afternoons, being as it was parent teacher conference week at school. I had this idea to have the Bauer girls over to share with my brood about diabetes and they’re mother, Sarah was thrilled to indulge us.
November is diabetes awareness month so it was icing on the cake for all of us. Her girls brought a couple books that they read to my kids, books put out by Disney actually. I had no idea and I think it’s awesome that they are thinking of children with diabetes too, helping it be just a little less glum and a bit brighter and encouraging. They brought my kids color sheets, showed how to shoot pennies from the spent site cartridges-it was a fun little learning experience.
(Above) Learning how to shoot pennies from spent site change cartridges.
(Below)Sarah, explains to the boys how she programs Ronia's pump to deliver insulin.
(Below)Sarah, explains to the boys how she programs Ronia's pump to deliver insulin.
I have had a few friends, growing up, here and there, who were diabetic so it’s always been a bit closer to home. Not only that but Sarah’s daughter Ronia’s diagnoses came not too long ago and in a small way, our church community has journeyed with their family through this difficult ordeal. I don’t know too many people that could endure such a difficulty with as much grit and grace as they have. Let’s put this in perspective shall we? Many of us have toddlers and all the stress and joy that goes with them. Toddlers are interesting little people. They range from hilarious, entertaining to tyrannical and traitorous, often all within 20 minutes. Now enter, Diabetes. Ronia was 3 when she was diagnosed. Add the poking and prodding of blood sugar checks and insulin pokes, diet restrictions and nonstop monitoring of everything eaten and all activities effects on highs and lows. Not only that but, lets’ just put this out there too, having a child with diabetes isn’t really budget friendly and trying to traverse the murky waters of what is and what isn’t covered by insurance. Let’s not forget, the other children as well, including the 4th child they had during all of this. It’s a lot for a family to take on, to be sure-but they are doing it, and they are doing it as well as anyone could. It has it’s ups and downs-literally highs and lows. One thing I love about the Bauers, Sarah, especially, is they’ll tell you how it really is. Sarah won’t sugar coat it and I love that about her-you get a real answer every single time. So I went ahead and asked her a few questions to share here.
Sharon: What is the hardest part about dealing with diabetes?
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!
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!
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