diabetes

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2003 : July : 24

diabetes
By Helen

Taylour, My son has been diabetic for 8 years (he's 13 now). The American Diabetes Association has a great website. Is your child on a pump or doing shots? That makes a difference in the sugar numbers. Before school starts,
get together with the child's parents and ASK QUESTIONS. As a mom I appreciated when teachers asked. The more they knew, the more they could help my child. No question was a dumb question. Ask about the disease, about the child's reactions, how to handle snacks, birthdays, etc. Realize that the child will need a source of fast acting sugar nearby in case of a "low". We give

each of his teachers glucose tabs to put in their desks just in case. My kid was ok with "sharing" his routine with others and would demonstrate how he uses his glucometer. The nurse and teacher were there to reassure the others that he isn't contageous and to tell them what to look for in case he goes low. That would be something to be sure to find out--what his symptoms of low sugar are. You will have to make adjustments for a mid morning or afternoon snack. Juice boxes or fruit rolls are good, they don't make much noise when eaten. The other kids in the class got use to it and after a couple of days, didn't realize he was eating. I have alot more to say. You can e-mail me with other questions. I could write a book otherwise.