Wednesday, July 4, 2012

What is it like ...

To be the father of a Type 1 Diabetic.

Over the past few days I have posted some interviews from the side of a mother, but the diagnosis does not just affect 1 parent, it affects both and the rest of the family.

Today we are going to give you a few views from the fathers side. We will be going back to the mothers views later on in the week.

Today we have the interview of Michael who is the father of a young T1D.


Q: Your Name
 A: Michael
 
Q: How long has your child been a Type 1 Diabetic?
A: He has had type 1 diabetes since January 31, 2009 (3.5 years) 

Q: How old is your child?
A:  David Zorich is 7 years old

Q:  For the management of your child’s Type 1 Diabetes are they on an insulin pump (If on pump which one) or multiple daily injections?
A:  Multiple daily injections

Q: What made you choose this method for management?
A:  David is too active for a pump and does not like anything attached to him

Q: How confident are you with managing your child’s diabetes?
A:  I am very confident in managing his diabetes - been out of the hospital since day three of being diagnosed.

Q: What does a typical day look like in your household in regards to diabetes management?
A:  a typical day is constant checking, picking up or injections every 4 to 6 hours with homeschooling and teaching, cleaning and no rest at all.

Q: What does a typical day’s diet look like?
A:  David eats what he wants, when he wants - no set schedule, I am his pancreas doing what a pump would do.

Q: Besides a cure what 1 thing would you like to see researchers working towards and why?
A:  The causes, to find and eliminate what is causing type 1 diabetes in children 5 years and under (environmental) non genetic factors, we need Awareness, it is very important more than anything to find out what to stop it and to warn and prepare everyone with proper info.


Q: What tips or advice would you give to other parents of newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic children/teens?
A:  To hang in there, it will be a wild roller coaster ride, help to spread AWARENESS, one does not need a full serving of anything, the kids will be fine even if it is heartbreaking You have to stay strong for your kids, keep an eye out for the lows, make sure the schools accomodate them and follow state laws without waivers of liability, seek help or advice from anyone going through similar problems, door is always open - always stay possitive even if the world seems to be falling apart, so much more (it is a different situation for everyone). some kids have allergies and some have other problems, not a 1 size fits all. For the teens make sure they check always - tell your friends about the disease and snacks and insulin, you have to make everyone aware of the disease, know your surroundings, and always be prepared for emergencies no matter what. Come visit our page Diabetes the Parent Side International anytime for support and or direction.

Q: What would you like to see more of out of the Diabetes Online Community?
A: Would love to see more awareness spread around the world to everyone, about sudden onset, dka, ketoacicdosis and type 1 diabetes, to separate type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes (not to use the generic word diabetes).

Q: What is your favorite thing about the Diabetes Online Community and why?
A: favorite things is being able to communicate with everyone online and to meet new friends going through the same things with their children, to help others and get help if needed, able to spread awareness about things going on around the world today, everywhere and to share days and nights and give and get support. I like that we can find the latest news on everything happening
.
Q: What is your least favorite thing about the Diabetes Online Community and why?
A:  When everyone knows everything, there is no wrong and you are not right - and you feel left out and lost again like the first day of being diagnosed, without help because of no support or help or guided into the right direction, so much info but have to watch out how you word things or how you say things because we  are all are going through the same things but differently or in a different way, sometimes it is easy to forget that we are all in the same situation, in the same boat and misunderstood easily, we all deal with things in our ways and if you step the wrong way, say something wrong or give your opinions not to their liking - they will jump on you, instead of saying or asking what is wrong, what happened or how come you are like this today. When there is no support or you feel outnumbered, it sucks!!!!

Q: What 1 thing would you like to see discussed in the Diabetes Online Community that is not discussed enough?
A: AWARENESS and Schools in all 50 states, are not being discussed as much and the environmental cause or causes that might be behind type 1 diabetes in children 5 years and under and what is anyone doing to stop the disease, daily updates.

Still plenty more to come :) Keep checking back. I am having fun reading all the points of views that we have already had and those still to come.

If you have a view point that you would like to add to this blog please email me at hopeforaly@gmail.com and I will be happy to add you to my view points :) 

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