http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/shayes915/faith-wilson-girl-with-diabetes-ruby-rescue-dog_n_1566409_158831916.html
This step mom thinks she's an expert on Type 1. Can you imagine what the real mom must deal with having this know-it-all to deal with as her child's step mom?
First off, all diabetics are different and should find what works for them and their families. handle the stress and day to day management differently.
I think it's over the top to have a service alert dog, but it works for that family. If it was my child, I'd back off on the insulin so she's not having 4 lows a night and just live with the highs that it would cause. Parents of diabetics are in a difficult situation now because kids are expected to have tight control. Sometimes common sense goes out the window.
And I agree with you that the step-mom's response to the servce dog story is too cavalier, saying diabetes isn't a big deal because of pumps and CGMs. She's trying to empower her step-child, but sometimes that attitude can eclipse the actual challenges and sacrifces and frustrations that diabetes brings.
T1 since 1977 Minimed pump since 2002
I read so much into that comment. A step parent spouting off about how easy it is to manage a child's diabetes and that it is all automated made me wonder what a nightmare it must be for the girl's real mom. She has to send her daughter to a home where no one has any idea how to manage type 1 but they are all experts. They shouldn't be allowed anywhere near her.
I get it. I've seen online posts from a divorced parent whose ex forgets to give insulin their diabetic child! It's scary that someone would be such a yahoo about their own child's health.
Yet another good reason to never get divorced. Or I guess, it's a good reminder to not marry a yahoo. =)
OMG!!!!!!!!!!! im thirteen and im betting that the step daughter is looking at her step mom and thinking "She doesnt know a thing about this. its hell for ma nd she doesnt even relize it!" i would be one pissed teenager.
"Life is a highway, Im gonna ride it all night long.."
I've seen plenty of posts from people that have a parent that takes no interest at all in their illness. Here we have a kid whose step mom thinks she is an expert and has no idea at all what the kid and real mom go through. Maybe its even worse than the parent with no interest at all.
I can't believe the doctors put her on a pump at 3 years old. I've seen parents put their child on the pump so they don't have to do as much. They think it's the easy way out and the pump does everything for you. My son is 4, got diagnosed when he was 2 and I'm not doing the pump. I would like to learn how to somewhat control his diabetes. We are going to let him make the decision of getting the pump or not.
That's pretty cavalier on the part of the step mom. I'm all for not making a big deal about it and empowerment, but that's a big much.
I've seen that same "expert" opinion so many times. Luckily, I'm an adult and can just give the person a dirty look or attempt to educate.
From a different PoV on the subject of service dogs... I have hypoglycemia unawareness. I've been clear down to 33 mg/dL without a single, blessed symptom. I only get symptoms as I'm starting to recover.
I've been getting better as I've gotten older, but that still can happen to me. My dog can sense them and usually becomes a pest before they go any lower.