CWD conference – DiabetesDad

The 60th CWD Conference was held and has ended. Our hosts in Scotland were just wonderful. People with diabetes, people with children who have diabetes, grand parents, mums. dads, siblings. and whole lot of great people doing what we do. Trying to make a difference.

The picture shown is what I received when I asked a waiter for a candle for our table. A whole lotta light if you ask me. Things are really not done in a small way here in Scotland. If we went to a restaurant, we were welcomed, when we went to a tavern or two (or three 🙂 ) we were greeted warmly. It seems to everyone I met here I look like I could be a ‘good mate’ as everyone says hello thusly; ‘hey mate’, hello mate. hold the elevator there mate……..all this mating going on (wait, that didn’t sound right).

There were three things that strike me as I ready myself for the airport. The relief on parents faces as they felt empowered by what they heard this weekend; not only from those who taught but what they learned from each other as well. The second thing that struck me was the look of wonderment on so many of the Children’s faces as they saw first hand how ‘not alone’ they are in this world of diabetes.

There was give and there ‘was take’. There was teaching and there was learning. There was laughter and there was tears. There was fun and there was silence. It was a fabulous trip and it is my hope that the parents and the children learned as much as we did. This is what we do. We teach and we show that kids with diabetes will always be just that…….kids.

The third thing I will take away is that this is the first conference since Richard Rubin left us. He was an amazing man who taught us so much about diabetes overwhelmus. The seat of Richard was empty but the toasts we gave him and the legacy of knowledge he left to carry on remained. He would like that we are moving on…..he left a whole lotta light…..and his will burn for a long time.

I am a diabetes dad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

On her way.

In a little while Kaitlyn boards a plane bound for the Children With Diabetes (CWD) Conference in Canada. It’s snowing, and that is cause for a little anxiety. It’s on a plane, and that always has its parent-self-inflicted anxiety level (funny thing is that when I fly, I have little). She will be in a foreign country……I know it’s our closest friends in Canada, but still….it’s acroos our border.

What I have little worry about is her diabetes. Perhaps it’s because she will be at CWD conference or perhaps it’s because I know how hard she works at it. I know, I know, it can always derail; I get that; but I remember another time just like it.

When Kaitklyn was growing up it was a rite of passage to go to the deli a few blocks away. When you could walk with your friends without being accompanied by an adult. Kids usually bought chips or soda or something like that and early on Kaitlyn’s love for deli pickles worked in our favor very, very, well. It was a funny observance that over the years, almost each participant left the junk food for Kaitlyn’s favorite also. I remember the first time I watched them walk down the block thinking ‘this is a very good thing’ and knew she would return safely.

Today is such a day. She is going to help others. She is going to be with younger ones and at times she will share what she knows and she will also be ready to help. CWD is a very important place for us as a family. If you have not been to a conference, you should go and I will write more about that in the not-to-distant-future.

When was it that you realized your child, was ‘on their way’? Please share.

Today, a jet will take-off and Kaitlyn will be on it. ‘On her way’ in more ways than one. She will go, help, and return safely……..a far cry from the deli but still, ‘a very good thing’.

I am a diabetes dad

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

Tag: CWD conference

Light……Gives off Light……and How Bright was the One We Experienced!!!!!!

Taking Off……She is on Her Way