From the Mother of a child withType 1 Diabetes: How does it feels?

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It feels like you have done something wrong, like you are being punished for being a poor parent but someone is wrecking revenge on your child.

It feels like you want to cry your heart out but you know you need to be strong for your baby.

It feels like an explanation for all that has passed before but still, it stabs like a knife.

It feels like you want to do anything in your power to change places and it feels like you are useless to help.

When my six-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes I went into an emotional state of shock, overpowered by guilt for not knowing the signs, horrified that I hadn’t noticed the weight loss, overwhelmed with fear of how she, and in turn, I, would cope. For three days my world became a hospital ward, my searches on Google became repetitious, my life became filled with needles and carbohydrates. It passed in a daze, punctuated by ready meals, I remember hugging my eldest girl, I remember cuddling her to sleep whispering that it was all going to be alright.

Trying to be strong for my daughter almost broke me, when my daughter was diagnosed it felt like the last straw, I tried so desperately to not let her see my fear whilst I tried to learn all I could about this incurable condition.

We are now 10 years on.

I could not be any more proud of my daughter.

Since diagnosis we have learnt a new normal, she manages her own injections, she can cope with a hypo, she goes to friend’s houses for tea, she knows to climb out of a pool when she feels ‘wobbly’. She fights hard for inclusion, to not be different from her peers, but sometimes she is excluded purely because not all grown-ups understand.

But I want to give her wings, I want her to see the world, I want to watch her fly.

And.

I want to help other parents, to make the path they must walk easier.  To help them reconcile with this bell end of a condition (professional terminology).

I am a Coach who works with parents of children with Type 1, who are struggling to cope and process.  We all cope differently, but with the right mindset tools, we can cope.

I run an incredible Facebook community group where we look at support and finding solutions to make life easier and happier.  You can join it here.

Likewise, if you want to have a chat, simply drop me a note, sometimes just offloading can help.

Jane x

Molly, aged 7, nine months after diagnosis, sitting on a beach in Portugal, living life not limiting it.

22 thoughts on “From the Mother of a child withType 1 Diabetes: How does it feels?”

  2. What a beautiful photo of Molly.

    So glad that you’ve found ways to cope and get on with things as ‘normally’ as you can. Such an emotional post, thank you for raising awareness x

  3. Molly is lucky to have you Jane. You have supported her so well and of course I will share. I had no idea of the 4 symptoms and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

  4. Thought provoking post Jane – I hope, and expect, that you all live your lives in as full and rewarding a way as possible. Shared on Facebook.

  5. Such a thought provoking post – and remembering that is is also carers week, take care of yourself too. xx

    BTW Molly is a little star!

  6. What a lovely photo of her. She looks so much like you! Thank you for bravely sharing your personal story of life with this condition. I will share this post. x

  7. Wonderful post. Your daughter looks beautiful. You are both so very, very strong. I was struck by today’s figures, they still aren’t great – I don’t think I ever fully realised how serious type one diabetes is. The way you are handling this, I am sure Molly will lead a very long and fulfilling life. She is doing so well with what she has to manage. XXX

  9. I’ve read every post about Molly and her diabetes and the one that touched me the most was when somebody said to her they couldn’t inject themselves and her reply was ‘you would if you were going to die’. Straight from the mouths of babes. What a mature little girl she is. You must be so proud of her. xx

  11. You are both doing so well. It must be so hard for you both.

    I developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy and lost 2 1/2 stone in the 3rd trimester as a result. But I’m lucky in that it went when Potato was born. It was hard enough for me, a grown up, coping for just a few months. I can’t begin to imagine how much harder it must be for a little girl to comprehend and manage.

    Thank you for writing and sharing x

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