I haven’t been writing a lot lately. It’s hard when, for the first time in a long time, I’m not sure we’re doing this right. Benny’s last three A1C’s have been rotten and I feel like we’re the most out of control since diagnosis. I feel guilty and sad. I don’t want to feel like that…
There are some really cool things happening with diabetes technology. One of them is a teddy bear. This summer, we met the founders of Sproutel, a company that wants to educate children about chronic conditions through play. Their first product is Jerry the Bear, an interactive toy for kids with type 1 diabetes. I spoke…
What a treat to speak with Crystal Bowersox earlier this summer. For the second year, the singer/songwriter and American Idol runner-up traveled to the Friends For Life Conference. She shared her own experiences with type 1 diabetes and became an inspiration to the children and families there. Here’s my interview with her: [youtube id=”d-M2g4KTka4″ width=”600″…
I’m going to guess I had one of the more unusual experiences at Children With Diabetes Friends For Life. After hearing about it for years, this was my first time at the annual conference. I was excited attend seminars and join in the fun. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way. We arrived on Wednesday…
I’m always grateful when people share their inspiring stories of living with type 1 diabetes. Sometimes, though, I’m just in awe. Kris Freeman was diagnosed while training for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He was told he could no longer compete on an elite level, but apparently, he disagreed. Three Olympics later, Freeman is the only acknowledged…
I’m at the Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conference this week. It’s a unique event. Picture a professional and educational conference crossed with summer camp for kids and their families. CWD itself was started by Jeff Hitchcock more than 20 years ago, after his then two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with type 1. I was thrilled…
I’m a huge fan of summer camp. Sleep-away camp, residential camp, whatever it’s called now. I spent the better part of 8 summers away from home and it helped make me who I am. This is Benny’s second year away at diabetes camp. He goes to a week-long program where all campers and most counselors…
After six years with an insulin pump, changing the inset is still one of the toughest parts of Benny’s diabetes management. The inserter has a long needle and even though it doesn’t stay in, it still goes in. I don’t care how old you are, it’s tough to get a big shot every three days.…
Just like that, another year of school is over. Sixth grade, done. Second grade, finished. We’ll get around cleaning out the backpacks by August. Maybe. I am so lucky to have great diabetes support at school. Each year we set different goals and expectations for Benny and, I have to say, I’m pretty proud of…
Yes, that’s my daughter in the blue with her arm around Nick Jonas and my son on the end, holding the basketball. We were part of this lucky group earlier in the week. I should probably explain why the kids all have towels… Charlotte-area children with diabetes and their siblings meet Nick Jonas Nick Jonas has been filming a…