Shaynah Speaks About Diabetes

I am Shaynah, Aaron's older sister.  I am 13 years old and have had juvenile diabetes for two years.  Having two kids with diabetes in one family really takes it toll on everyone. 

For Aaron and me, managing our diabetes takes a lot of time away from our family.  If we are with our family at a function, we have to stop what we are doing and check blood sugars or go to the bathroom to inject insulin.  If there is a high or low blood sugar with one of us, then sometimes we have to cancel what we are doing so our parents can take care of us.  Especially Aaron - if he gets too low he has seizures and that can be a real emergency.

The emotional stress of this disease is horrible on our entire family.  If one of our blood sugars is out of control it seems like the whole family holds their breath until we get it back in line.  If we misplace one of our meters, my mom gets upset because our numbers won't be right for the doctor.  It can become difficult because we are stressed out all of the time worrying about whether we have everything relating to our diabetes in order, not to mention what we worry about just being kids. 

Diabetes is so rough on my whole family.  It is heartache and heartbreak every day!  Still, we all wake up every morning grateful for a new day and with a positive outlook on life.  We are not giving up!