Ask any expecting parent what they want their baby to be, and chances are the answer will not have anything to do with sex, hair color, eye color, height or weight. In most cases, they will simply respond with one word: healthy. All parents want to know that the life they bring into this world will be safe and protected from all harm’s way, but if they discover their child has type 1 diabetes, is this protection now out of their hands? No.
A child with type 1 diabetes has a genetic pre-disposition to the disease, and it can be triggered by environmental factors. This is probably a parents’ worst fear; that their baby may be born with a health risk and there is no way to prevent it. The hardest news for a mother or father is that their little miracle must forever monitor their blood sugar levels by injecting themselves with insulin, and counting carbohydrates. Upon finding out that their child has type 1 diabetes, life as they know it has changed. But does this mean that life as they know it is worse? No.
With the right tools and a proper support system, life does not have to be worse for the parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, and more importantly, it does not have to be worse for the actual child. Different does not mean worse. With the help of an organization like JDRF, families can learn to manage type 1, allowing the diabetic to live a full, healthy and happy life. There is nothing more inspiring and fulfilling than reading about the positive changes that JDRF has implemented into peoples’ lives, providing strength in the face of struggle. It’s comforting to know that just when someone feels type 1 diabetes may be out of their hands, JDRF steps in to help both parents and children take control of their health and their happiness.
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