I actually read recently that a mom was upset because her d-child was told that if an A1C was not at a certain level, the doctor would take away the child’s insulin pump.
WHAT!!!!!?????
There is so much wrong with this statement but the point here today is not to grill the doc but, rather, open a discussion on an entirely different matter. Although if it were me there would be a strong discussion with that doc; as I explored other possibilities. I am not sure what this mom did but it triggered a switch in me to revisit what we all need to do when it comes to diabetes management.
There was a commercial on locally in New York years ago. Sy Syms had a store which consisted of designer clothes at greatly reduced prices and his tag line was; “an educated consumer is our best customer.”
When it comes to diabetes management and your child, if this statement does not describe you; WORK to make it describe you. I’m not asking you to be confrontational with your medical team, nor know everything there is to know, but you have every right to ask questions and at the end of the day; YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS what road to take and what will impact your child’s care. there will be times that you need to dig further to gain knowledge and perspective but if you live by, “I dunno”, you need to do everything you can to change that philosophy. And no one can do it for you!
I have written about this subject before but it is so worthy to write about again…..when it comes to treatment, you hear the options, you do the homework, and you make the call. If you do not have the time to learn, FIND THE TIME to learn. You are no different from anyone else who has been in the same position. Very little in this world is so unique; others have accomplished learning and so can you.
Why?
Because when a doctor told my child that their present A1C was like a report card and they were at a C minus; I stepped right in to correct that statement. “No, it is not a report card, it is a gauge. Why not share why (my child) would feel better with less swings in the numbers and stress why THAT is important.”
The stare given to me was given right back.
In 1999 when we were told that the Kaitlyn was not ready for the pump (it was a whole different world just 15 years ago) at age 9, we made it clear that not only was she ready but that one way or another; she was getting one.
But when we spoke, we did not just speak our opinions. We spoke what we knew. We spoke of other kids who had pumps, we spoke of why A1C SHOULD NOT be viewed as merely a report card on how “well we are doing” (I just hate THAT). We spoke with authority, we spoke with knowledge, and we spoke with the confidence to share what we knew. And we DID know.
The biggest thing you can do for your child with diabetes is KNOW. Plain and simple–know what’s out there, know what your options are, know what others are doing, know what you know. Knowledge allows you to discuss options. At the end of the day, it’s your call.
NO ONE KNOWS YOUR CHILD MORE THAN YOU. Knowledge of products, management tools, and treatment options allows you the best opportunity to get this ‘diabetes thing’ correctly——–that; and a whole lot of prayers.
Learn—-because knowledge is a powerful equalizer.
I am a diabetes dad.
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