Sugar Free Retreat-Part 1

At one of Kelsey's meetings with the diabetic educator,she asked us if we attended any of the diabetic camps they offered.She also wanted us to get involved with one of the local support groups such as the American Diabetes Association or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.. Kelsey had been diabetic for almost a year now and I just couldn't bring myself to look into any of this information.My mind was still on overload with all of the changes and information we were receiving. In spite of my reluctance, I mentioned the idea of camp to Kelsey but she was nervous about going away to camp-diabetes or no diabetes.
After hearing details about about the "Sugar Free Retreat,"which is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association,Kelsey thought she would give it a try. Sugar Free Retreat held a fall and a winter retreat each year and the whole family is encouraged to attend.The winter retreat was held over President's Day weekend in Ocean City,Maryland at the Carousel Hotel.Kelsey and Mollie love the idea of going to the beach during the winter. They especially loved the fact that the hotel had an indoor iceskating rink. We were all excited about going and the minute we got there we knew we had made the right decision.
The weekend consisted of education and discussion groups for the parent,as ell as a chance to meet with different vendors from a large variety of diabetes supply companies.Kelsey was able to meet children her age who were going through the exact same thing she was.. Mollie even benefited from talking to other siblings and sharing their experiences.The children spent their days making crafts,playing games,participating in a talent show,and of course learning about diabetes.
Mealtime was a bonding experience. The air was filled with the sounds of glucometers beeping. Children were comparing their blood glucose numbers and carb counting was easy because each food item was labeled with their carbohydrate count per serving.If only each day could be this easy.
Michael and I enjoyed meeting the other parents and sharing stories of how we discovered our children were diabetic. We realized that this camp was at times more for us than it was for the actual children with diabetes.The parents relied on each other for support. We looked to each other for advice. We truly and deeply felt everything our children were going through.We empathetically felt each injection and each high and low blood sugar sypmton.It was at one of the retreats that one of the speakers labeled us as Type 3 diabetics. Type 1 :being insulin dependent and usually diagnosed as a child. Type 2 :usually controlled by diet,exercise, and oral medication,and diagnosed later in life. And Type 3:parents of Type 1 children. We were officially diagnosed. We reveled in introducing ourselves that way to new parents."Hi,this is my daughter Kelsey who has Type 1 diabetes and I'm her mom with type 3 diabetes. We enjoyed the confused looks on their faces. You could almost read their minds wondering if there. really was a Type 3 diabetes and why hadn't they heard about it sooner. (Who would predict that 5-6 years later Type 3 diabetes would unfortunately really exist. I will discuss this further in a future post.)Once these unknowing parents caught on they too joined the ranks of type 3 diabetics. The weekend was such a bonding experience. We learned so much from each other whether it was recommendations for a good endocrinologist or the best snack for a low blood sugar.We met children who were newly diagnosed and some who were diabetic since they were infants. It blew my mind to see a little 4 year old take his own blood sugar and show us how his insulin pump worked. AS a matter of fact,it was this little boy who inspired Kelsey to start pump education classes. The insulin pump was often suggested to Kelsey by our diabetic educator, but Kelsey was intimidated by it.SHe wasn't quite sure how the pump would be attached to her body and she was nervous about trying something new. The little boy was eager to show us where his pump was inserted and how it worked. He had Kelsey's full attention and after many questions-she was sold. Kelsey figured if a 4 year old can do then so could she.