Lizzy’s Story
Elizabeth was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes Type I at the age of 2-1/2. In spite of this horrific diagnosis, I refused to allow her to grow up thinking she was different from other children. I chose to think of her as a unique little girl, because “different” had a negative connotation. I refused to allow her to think of herself as handicapped, disabled or something far less than perfect.
She received her first insulin pump at the age of 7 and learned how to manipulate the pump in only and hour. At the age of 13, she has had this chronic illness for 11 years. She test her blood sugar 12 times daily. Everyone is astonished when they discover she has diabetes, because she appears so healthy. Actually she is. She has no complications even though she has had this disease for over a decade. Typically, their first response is “Wow!” Her doctor once said, “Elizabeth is healthy, she just happens to have diabetes.”
When she was on the tube pump, people assumed the insulin pump was a pager, cell phone or even an Ipod. A little boy about 3 years of age approached her at tennis practice and quizzically asked, “Are you a robot?” He noticed the pump and the tubing coming from the pump and somehow connected to her. This really peaked his curiosity. She leaned down, smiled and said, “No, I’m the Terminator.” He grinned in triumph and said, “I knew you were a robot!” She now wears the Omnipod, a tubeless insulin pump. The Omnipod gives her greater flexibility, excellent control and because it has no tubing, it is hardly ever noticed.
From time to time, I have asked her, “Elizabeth if you could make 3 wishes, what would they be?” She never wish she didn’t have juvenile diabetes. Her reply is always the same, “Mom, it’s not so bad.” Well, she should know better than I. I’m hoping through Elizabeth’s accomplishments, other children can also grow, prosper and become strong individuals with incredible promise and resilience. It’s not easy having a child with any chronic illness. However, juvenile diabetes is MANAGEABLE, with positive support, encouragement, diligence and perseverance, all can be well with your child and he or she too can lead a full active life!
It is the truth. Nice joke! Did you hear about the guy that lost his left arm and leg in a car crash? He’s all right now.
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