Sign in

or Register now

MyDiabetesCentral.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Saturday, November, 21, 2009
  • Font size
Shedding Light on the Co-morbidities of DiabetesThe Complications of Having Rheumatoid Arthritis and Diabetes

The Power of We

Kerri Sparling
Kerri Sparling
Close
I believe in the power of community.

I am the creator and author of the diabetes blog

Kerri Sparling

Tuesday, November 03, 2009
View All of Kerri Sparling's Posts
As I grew up with diabetes, my mother wasn't just "my mother." She was also my nurse, my dietician, and my exercise physiologist. What she had was the powerful combination of necessity and love, driven by the need to take the best care possible of her diabetic child.   I don't have a clue wh...
  1. Untitled Comment
    Dr. Fran Cogen
    Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 01:52 PM

    Kerri: Your words have brought tears to my eyes. I think my patient parents will so appreciate your comments. I plan on sharing your insights with them. (May I become a member of "We?")

    Reply
    We
    Gina Capone
    Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 05:28 PM

    Kerri you got me all teared up too! ugh! You always do that to me! You had a great support system as a kid. Although I was not a child at my diagnosis (25), my parents and sister always made it "we" are in this as a family as well. I did feel alone in the sense they never knew what I was "or am" going through on a personal level but, you are right our whole family is affected. I also have no idea how my family feels about me having diabetes either but, I am sure as hell happy that they are there for me. And I will always be there for them too. It works both ways, that is what family is all about. "WE" are blessed.

     

    And when you have your little darling baby he or she will be blessed by great parents and have the best role models growing up!

     

    xoxoxo

    G

     

     

    Reply
    re: Untitled Comment
    w in va
    Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 08:51 PM

    Kerri,

    I visit your blog often and am always encouraged.  This was a wonderful post.  I'm on the 'mom' end of We and I hope my daughter will feel the way you do as she gets older. 

     

    Dr. C - you are already an important part of our "we" - WE could not do it without your care and encouragement!

    Reply
    re: Untitled Comment
    patches
    Friday, November 06, 2009 at 08:13 AM

    Oh my, bring out the tissues--What a touching story. Maybe my husband feels that way too. Your mother did everything she could to keep you safe from other problems such as kidney failure while you were under her care. I hope you continue her

    diligence though out your life.

    Reply
  2. Untitled Comment
    Beth McNamara
    Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 08:32 PM

    OK, I went through couple of Kleenexes with that post.

     

    Believe it or not, my teenaged Type 1 *has* appreciated our help and support from time to time with his diabetes (much more than say our "support" with his grades and homework)!

     

    However, he doesn't love his brothers asking how he can stick that LONG needle in his body every day, four times a day!

     

    Aahhh, brotherhood.

     

    <!--Session data-->

    Reply
  3. Untitled Comment
    Nan
    Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 12:09 PM

    as a T1 mom, i love this.

    Reply
  4. Now you understand
    Tony Rose
    Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 01:04 PM

    Kerri - as a parent and now that you are a parent-to-be, you'll understand and can probably relate to me when i say that the love for a child is greater than anything I've ever experienced.  Anything.

     

    You Mom and family kept you alive and made you the person you are today - think about that.  From listening to you, I know you are appreciative now and realize how loving and caring your family was then.

    Reply
  5. Untitled Comment
    Anonymous
    Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 01:34 PM

    Thank you Kerri, I find comfort in your words as a mother of a newly diagnosed 5 year old.  Smile

    Reply
  6. The &quot;We&quot; Factor
    Anonymous
    Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 01:34 PM

    Kerri,

    I am a mom of a diabetic son.  Alex was diagnosed at 13 months and is now 9 years old.  He also has a fraternal twin brother. 

    I thank you for your insight.  It made me realize that we all must persevere.  While Alex shows only scant frustration with his diabetes and my reminders and insistance at testing and shots, I'm happy to see that you are now a responsible adult and understand more about what and why your mother did, and said, many things for you. 

    I can only hope that when we go through our more rebellious time, because I'm certain there are very dramatic days in front of us as hormones kick in, an adult with responsible caretaking will be the end result! 

    Not to mention, my non-diabetic son will understand the attention and recognize there hasn't been favoritism!

    Jennifer

     

    Reply
  • Font size
  • Bookmark
  • Was this helpful? Yes
  • Save
  • RSS
  • Report Abuse

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

View all questions (2359) >