Not alone

Had a great time at Give Back With Zach earlier this month. It's a big party for the first Panthers away game and helps raise money for childhood cancer. There's a wonderful story here, but it's really better told by my coworker Keith Larson.  

This event always looks like a good time, but we've never been able to make it before this year. On our way in, Benny asked, "Do you think I'm the only one with diabetes here?"  That's not something he usually brings up.  "No way," I said. "First of all, there are plenty of people here with type 2. Maybe we'll find someone with type 1, who knows?"

The party was terrific. Meeting the Top Cat cheerleaders, dancing with mascot Sir Purr, and dozens of people having fun supporting a great cause. Former Panthers Kevin Donnalley (below) & Jeff Mitchell signed Benny's helmet and posed for pictures with their NFC Championship rings.

All the food was buffet style and Benny was awesome as usual, helping himself but checking with me for carb counts. Lea loved the mini brownies and I know she snuck a few extra (I did too)! She wasn't too impressed with the football stuff; she spent much of the party like this:

About half an hour into our time there, I saw them. A mom and a teenager, coming over to talk with us. Guess why? Sure enough – he was diagnosed at age 7.  We chatted for a bit – the older boy doesn't have a pump which shocked Benny. He showed off his Animas 2020 (the boy may have a future in sales!). 

A few minutes later I saw some listeners I know from our Hometown Heroes program a few years back. They told me about a friend of theirs with an 18-month old just diagnosed with type 1.

As I've said before, I really enjoy connecting with other people over diabetes, but I hate hearing about new cases.  At 7, Benny doesn't yet think that way, he just loves finding people he can relate to. 

As we were leaving, I reminded him about his question on the way in. I think this is one of the few times he's been happy to hear me say, "I told you so!"