Speak Now For Kids

During the month of November, parents of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes will share testimonials with the Speak Now for Kids community. You can learn more about this chronic condition, which is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, by visiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Samson was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes) about two weeks before his second birthday, after we had contacted his pediatrician about to his frequent urination and weight loss. Shocked and confused at first, we were blessed to have a wonderfully encouraging team ready to take care of us when we arrived at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Our endocrinologist, Dr. Grace Dougan, and our diabetes educator, Juliana Hite, gave us lots of support and listened to our questions and concerns. They reassured us repeatedly that Samson would live a healthy and active life, and he does.

During the month of November, parents of children diagnosed with type-1 diabetes will share testimonials with the Speak Now for Kids community. You can learn more about this chronic condition, which is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, by visiting the American Diabetes Association.

As a parent of any child, you learn that the key to getting your kiddos to bed on time is to develop a bedtime routine. With my daughter it was hot baths, a bedtime story and squeeze hugs. For Austin, it was a secret handshake between a son and his parents consisting of a hug, a kiss and a high five. As a parent, it’s hard to look back and see the missed symptoms leading to that day. At the time we thought we were in a normal battle with a 3 year who was refusing to eat food and only drink his calories. After about 4 days of constant requests for fluids and bed-wetting I told my husband I was taking him to the doctor. He asked what I suspected what was wrong and off the cuff I said “Austin either has a UTI or worst case scenario he was diabetic.” Throwing it out almost to say leave me and motherly instinct alone. Normal protocol for his symptoms included a urinalysis and strep test but I asked for them to test Austin’s blood sugar. Puzzled, but agreeable, the nurse grabbed a meter, pricked his finger, and gasped as the meter read HIGH. The reading HIGH was an indicator on the meter that Austin’s blood tested over its maximum reading of 600.

That day was March 9, 2016, and Austin was officially diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.