New Territory

For me, I will be beginning my sophomore year in college. As for the other two T1s, they will be entering uncharted territory - an academy. Not only will they be back in an actual school (since our diagnoses), they will be 30 minutes from home. 

Due to our rather overwhelming and rare scenario, homeschooling has been the primary source of education through all three of our diagnoses. Although we are a bit nervous about all of this, we do have a gameplan.

Through the provision of Get Diabetes Right, we have been able to use a simple and very helpful poster for all of the teachers in the school. 

Not only has Get Diabetes Right provided this material; they have also written some excellent material for many common questions!

Obviously there are many unknowns in entering the academy. Many fears, many "what-ifs," many potential problems . . . but that pretty much sums up this disease. We never know what low is hiding around the corner, or what high is about to hit, but we can always be prepared and flexible . . . very flexible.

Rainbows and Unicorns: Behind the Fluff

Rainbows and Unicorns: the most common response to many diabetes-related questions.

 But there is so much more beyond the fluff and the clouds. 

Actually, life with T1D is crazy:

It's a fact. 

Life with Type One Diabetes multiplied by three is that much more crazy!

It hit me this past week that I really haven't had Type One all that long. Our family hasn't known Type One all that long . . .  we haven't even reached five years with T1. We haven't had an opportunity to really settle down into a "new normal." Every time we were close to "taking a breather," it seemed like another child was diagnosed.  

The emotions and pressures of diabetes can act just like our blood sugars . . .  One minute we will feel on top of the world (because sugars are somewhat under control), and within a mere 24 hours it can flip to the opposite extreme. Not only does this happen to one of us, but it seems more of a domino affect in which all of us take a simultaneous nose dive.

The best part is when people can see we are struggling, they love to add their much needed advice. 

"At least you all have the same disease so it's easier to manage!"

I get that input much too frequently. I don't know if this mentality helps people feel better about our situation, or if it is just the same perspective that says we "get used to needles, and they don't hurt".

Either way, I have found that people will be people. Their curiosity and self-confidence drive them to speak things they really don't mean. And often we are left in a sticky wicket in which the "Rainbows and Unicorns" reply fits best. 

Sure I would love to stop and explain how crazy numbers are, how many nights we are up with one of us three, how long 4 years of diabetes seems, and how big of a journey is ahead of us. But that is really not their problem. 

I don't think many people could handle knowing how difficult some days are! This is a challenge that is God-given. A daily battle that we have to fight. 

So between you and me, diabetes isn't all rainbows and unicorns, but we all are adjusting - doing our best. And (thanks to Frederick Banting) we are all living too! ;)