When my son Trenton asked for his third refill of water at a restaurant, I tried not to think anything of it. He’s just thirsty. He’s a growing kid. At least he isn’t dehydrated. By the time we reached home, the pinches of fear that had been plucking at the back of my neck had turned to full blown panic. Trenton was sick. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t keep anything down, and the only thing he could whisper was that he was thirsty. So very thirsty.
We drove the hour to Children’s Hospital Emergency Room where Trent, slipping in and out of consciousness, was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication to type 1 diabetes.
At that moment, our family changed forever. We spent three sleepless nights at the hospital learning the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We learned about carb ratios and basal doses. We learned not just how to keep Trenton alive, but how to advocate for him.
Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. Trenton is now a healthy seventeen-year-old, looking forward to college and the world beyond. He still faces the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, but his biggest struggles come from battling misinformation and assumptions about his condition.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin, a hormone essential for allowing glucose to enter cells and provide energy.
Below are five facts that you may not know about type 1 diabetes:
1.) Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are two different conditions. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. There is no amount of healthy eating that can prevent or cure type 1 diabetes.
2.) People with type 1 diabetes can eat cake, ice cream, candy and sweets. Their recommended diet is the same as anyone else’s: a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
3.) A child will not grow out of type 1 diabetes. It is a lifelong condition with no cure, although there are things to help type 1 diabetics manage their daily lives.
4.) Type 1 diabetics need insulin everyday even if they don’t eat anything. Missing even a few hours of insulin doses can lead to hospitalization, a diabetic coma or even death.
5.) People with type 1 diabetes can do anything! They can drive cars, climb mountains, play sports, swim, even skydive. By planning ahead and properly managing their health, people with type 1 diabetes can, and do, live long fulfilling lives.
Managing type 1 diabetes requires a combination of diligent self-care, education, and support. While the condition presents daily challenges, advancements in technology, treatment options, and ongoing research offer hope for improved quality of life and future cures.
