Mental Health
Management
When you learned that your child has type 1 diabetes, you were probably given a lot of
When you learned that your child has type 1 diabetes, you were probably given a lot ofinformation—from medicines to how and when to eat. It's a lot. But watching this video as a familymay help. This is Bryson's story.Hi! I'm Bryson. Not long ago, I wasn't feeling great. I found out that I have type 1 diabetes. It wastough at first, but now things are better.Type 1 diabetes means my body doesn't make insulin. Insulin is a thing that helps turn the sugar fromfood into energy I can use.Without insulin, my body can't use the sugar from food. And that can make me feel sick.Like a lot of kids with type 1 diabetes, I have a pump and a CGM. My doctor calls it a continuousglucose monitor. Because of the pump and CGM, I don't have to do finger-stick tests or give myselfinsulin shots. But a few of my friends with diabetes test their blood and use insulin pens.It didn't take long for me to learn how to keep my body feeling good and healthy. I pay attention to thefoods I eat. My CGM checks my blood sugar, and my pump gives my body the insulin it needs.And just in case my pump or the CGM breaks, my parents and I know how to do the finger-stick testand give insulin shots.Here's how I would test my blood if I needed to. First I poke my finger with this thing called a lancet.Then I put a drop of blood in a little machine that checks how much sugar is in my blood.After I test my blood, a grown-up helps me figure out how much insulin my body needs. Insulin getsinto my body through a shot. The shot has a really small needle. And now that I'm used to the shots, Idon't even feel them much anymore.At school, I go to the nurse's office a few times a day to make sure I'm doing okay. When I startedgoing to the nurse's office so much, some kids wondered why. They were worried about me, becausethey thought I might be sick.So I told them about diabetes. And I told them that you can't catch it from somebody else. Havingdiabetes means I am more careful about the food I eat. But it *doesn't* mean I can't have treats. I justhave to make healthy choices most of the time. And I have to remember that if I eat some types offood, I might need more insulin.My family helps me by eating healthy too. We try to make dinner together, and we all help with thecooking.I can keep doing all the activities I like to do. Like playing football! Because exercise helps me stayhealthy too.Oh! And I learned I'm not the only kid on my team who brings medicine to play football! Arthur bringsan asthma inhaler, and Kate brings a bee sting kit. We help each other remember to bring the thingswe need when we have practice and games.Thank you to Bryson and his family for sharing their story. It may not always be easy, but just likeBryson's family—with information and a little time—you and your child can manage type 1 diabetesand live healthy, happy lives.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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