On September 17, 2009 our son, Nate was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (AKA juvenile diabetes). There is no way to explain how completely overwhelmed Jim and I felt at this diagnoses. Although diabetes research has come a very long way it is still something Nate will live with every single day for the rest of his life. For parents, I believe dealing with an illness in your child is an emotional roller coaster. Right now we are still facing the lows but we are looking forward to the highs.

As a mom, the stage that I am currently going through is grief, I am mourning for my son’s health and I am overwhelmed by the thought of taking care of my precious baby boy. I am overcome with emotion every time I prick his itty bitty finger for his blood test and even more so when it is time for his insulin shots. I keep waiting for him to get better and all of this to end. Right now I know he does not understand why I am hurting him and it breaks my heart into pieces!

I also know that with Nate’s early diagnoses he will never know any different, he will not remember life without diabetes. As a family we will come together and make his life as normal as possible. We will not let diabetes define him. Diabetes will be life altering but not life defining for him.

We have a lot to learn and a long way to go before we are comfortable with our new reality but I know that we will get there.

I pray for a cure, I pray for continued good health for Nate and my entire family, I pray that God will give me and Jim the strength to get through this difficult time in our lives. I also pray that God will give me the strength to meet the needs of all 3 of my children as they are all going through this difficult time and always.


Sticks in a bundle cannot be broken - - - together we will get though this.