If you’ve read my blog before, then you know that my daughter Leslie was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age eight. She is now 18.
This is not a fun disease. Leslie quickly learned to check her blood sugar, handle various blood sugar levels, and give herself insulin shots. Only about five to ten percent of those with diabetes have type 1. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin which is necessary to live. Her shots, and now her insulin pump, which requires daily management on her part, provide that life.
The first summer after her diagnosis, Leslie and her best friend Kara, went to a diabetes day camp called Camp JADA. It is run by the American Diabetes Association, and campers are encouraged to bring a friend or sibling. At Camp JADA, Leslie was not the only child who had to check her blood sugar, drink a juice box if her blood sugar was low, or change the site for her insulin pump. She was suddenly part of a majority who spoke the same “diabetes” language that she did.
For a little girl with diabetes, it was a wonderful week. For me, her mama, it was the one week out of the year without worry over a diabetes emergency – the campers are surrounded by diabetes health professionals.
After her years as a camper, Leslie served as a junior counselor, and then a counselor-in-training. This year she will be a camp counselor. She has loved each experience, as she grew from a little girl receiving diabetes support, to a young woman offering diabetes support.
Do you know a child with diabetes? Tell them about Camp JADA. It will be held June 21 through 24 at Jacksonville University. It is a great way for a child to discover that they are not alone in their diabetes world.
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