Be the Example
Be smart with your holidays and your kids. Don’t take four helpings of stuffing and then give your child a carrot. On and in so many different occasions, they will exemplify you. Make the choices you would want them to make. And remember above everything else that kids are kids. They will make mistakes but nothing so large that it cannot be rectified if needed.
I cannot tell you how many times I have seen parents of children with diabetes talk to their children as if the cookie they just ate is the worst thing since war. It’s not. If you make it taboo…it becomes taboo. Talk with them, not at them.
No one knows your child better than you do and with a few minor adjustments the holidays can remain just that, the holidays. We were able to enjoy so much because we bought diabetes along for the ride, but diabetes did not drive the car. You can do the same.
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Twas the Night Before Christmas…
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Masks, sanitizers, were displayed with such care
Knowing Santa will need to distance 6 feet this year.
The children were nestled from head to their feeties
while thoughts, or a dream, of no more diabetes
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and doing many tasks,
Dad is searching for the newest in holiday masks.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
I ran to the window with something to say,
Who would be arriving the night of this holiday?
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of new hope to all who were below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
He called to all eight as if playing a game,
He called to each giving an oddest of name.
“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER
Elections, health, and costs high,
The world continues asking the ‘why’?
I would do what I could to be able to see,
If he would take the time to explain it to me.
Many things were good, many programs would run,
I knew much was complete, but more needed to get done.
The education is important for everyone to hear,
We’re ramping up, we’re all getting in gear.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
I became so excited, I started to dance,
Now is the time, now is my chance.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his feet,
I wondered what would happen when finally, we’d meet;
A bundle of goodies he had flung on his back,
Would he take time to talk, or would he just unload his pac
But quickly he spoke, ‘It’s not the greatest fighting this disease,
We all need to continue to ask as we drop to our knees,
That diabetes things will get better and rightfully quick,
Good things to come, and not all from St. Nick.
Listen carefully as you think what needs to be done,
When you get an idea, launch it, take it and run.
Don’t leave it to others; it’ll be just a few,
Just don’t do nothing, is what you must do,
Much can be done so diabetes isn’t known,
So many are getting it done by doing unknown.
Just think of others and soon you will see,
You’ll get great things done and will continue to be.
And if you think you’re done, tired, and feeling so sore,
Think of your loved ones with diabetes, it’ll make you do more
And if not for you, it will be fore their sake,
None will stop at all, till they all get a break.
Others will join in the lead and we will all see,
Better products, more work, and great advocacy.
Better pumps, and CGMs by the score,
There much new coming and we’re dreaming for more.
The work will continue, the ‘where’ is up to you.
But you have to make the decision on something you’ll do.
And one day we’ll scream and exclaim, “diabetes is gone from all of our site,”
The Happiest Christmas ever, and to all a good night!
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I am a diabetesdad.
Tom Karlya
Tom Karlya is the Vice President of Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and founder of DiabetesDad.
He has two children, Kaitlyn and Rob, who were both diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He is the co-creator and founder of GetDiabetesRight.org, a site dedicated to educating communities about diabetes. He has lectured at numerous conferences across America and played a pivotal role in passing legislation in the U.S. regarding the missed diagnosis of diabetes. He has been instrumental in advising a national initiative with the Beyond Type1 Foundation and was awarded two Telly Awards for his video on the missed diagnosis of T1D.