The Connection

As you know, back in March we had the pleasure of meeting - IN PERSON - a wonderful group of PWD bloggers at JDRF's Government Day.  I wrote about that incredible experience HERE.  We had the honor of meeting Allison Blass, Cherise Shockley, Kelly Kunik, Kelly Rawlings, Kerri Sparling, Kim Vlasnik, Mike Hoskins, Scott Johnson, Scott Strange, Haley Van Shaick And it truly was an honor!

J and I enjoyed meeting them because we had been reading their blogs for ... well, 2 years!  When Sweets was first diagnosed, they provided this incredible HOPE for us that she was going to be just fine.  They still do.

What I didn't expect was the reaction that Sweetpea would have to them. 

Honestly, I thought that she would think it was cool.... but that would be that.

She's met other KIDS with T1.  She does like that.  As some point during the play date there is always some comparing of pumps and meters and pokers.  But D is always in the background.  It's always seemed almost  incidental to her.  She always seems like the fact that they have diabetes is not really that important.  It's just a part of it - a small part.  She seems to relate to them more as KIDS than as KIDS with D.

And that's fine.  I'm glad to see it.

So I expected her meeting adults with T1 would be the same.

Uhhh... Not so much!

When she first met them, many of the adults showed her their pumps and cgms.  She thought that was cool.  In fact, one of the first things she said to me was, "We're all in the Diabetes Club, Mommy.  But you're not.  Cuz you don't have diabetes.  Just us."

Hmmmm.... Interesting.

Then, weeks later, we were in the van backing out of a parking space.  Another car was waiting for our spot.  Sweets said, "HEY!  That lady looks like me because she has blond hair."  PAUSE.....  "I wonder if she has diabetes, too.  You know... like those people I met in Washington."

I was surprised.

And pleased.

She connected with them.  In a way I have never see her express about other kids before.  About anyone, really.

I like that she feels this sense of "same" with them... This sense of community.

She needs that.  And she's going to need it in the future.

So, to all the adult PWD's out there (and not just the ones that we met).... THANK YOU!

You give my child a priceless gift.  You give her something that I can not. 

No matter how much I try, I can only do so much.  I can only be so much.

I can show her how to live life, how to be kind and compassionate... How to work hard... How to be determined and never give up... how to trust in God... How to fight for what she believes in... How to love and so much more... 

But I can't show her - by example - how live her life with diabetes along for the ride. 

She needs role models.  She needs people to look up to who are LIVING life with diabetes.  Who are living well.  Who are succeeding.  Who are living their dreams. 

And that, my wonderful friends living each and ever day with Type 1, is where you come in.  

Thank you for being brave enough to share your journeys with us.
Thank you for accepting us into this world.
Thank you for lifting us up.
Thank you for being you!