One thing is for certain - children adapt better than adults!  Grayson is 6 years old and even with Type 1 diabetes, is as active and energetic as any young child.  He was diagnosed 2 years ago at the age of 4.  He does not remember life without shots or his pump, constant glucose monitoring, and carb counting.  Grayson is very aware of his condition and is always eager to tell anyone about diabetes and show off his pump.  

 

As parents, Glenn and I remember the day very well, the day that changed our lives forever.  The day began with a visit to the pediatrician for a common accident that we thought required some stitches.  We did not come home that night or that week.  Instead, we were rushed to the hospital with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, not to mention numerous questions and concerns.  All the normal symptoms for diabetes were present - the constant thirst and hunger, frequent urination, and weight loss.  We were unaware that these symptoms indicated a problem. Now in retrospect, we see it all very clearly.

 

In the hospital, Grayson was mesmerized with the toys in the playroom.  Together with Marshall, his older brother, they constructed quite a few towers while Glenn and I were thrust into this new and scary universe.  We were learning about what this diagnosis would mean to our lives.  We knew absolutely nothing about diabetes and as a mother, I dreaded my first question but needed to know the answer - was Grayson going to die? 

 
Between the constant flow of medical information, frequent finger pricks for blood glugose testing, and insulin injections, we were still missing the big picture. It was not until the next day that I fully understood in order to keep Grayson alive and healthy, he would require blood glucose testing at least 7 to 8 times a day and that every time he put food in his mouth he would need an insulin injection.  In fact, in the morning there would need to be two insulin injections.  What else could there be?   

 

We survived the week in the hospital, but dreaded the moment they released us to go home.  We still remember thinking, "How are we going to handle all this and keep Grayson safe?"  What if we make a mistake?  Will he be able to continue attending school?  Only Glenn and I knew how to care for Grayson at this point and this was a huge responsibility.  In fact, since Glenn works all day, the responsibility fell heavily on me alone. I always have to be a phone call away at any minute of any day.  With no other support but ourselves, we left the hospital into a new world which we felt we had no control over.  We were unsure who else might be willing to help out and take on the responsibility of caring for Grayson.  However, we were fortunate to have friends and family members come forward.  A friend also contacted JDRF for us before we arrived home, opening up communication with others who had experienced the same thing our family was going through.  I went from feeling completely alone to having some semblance of hope.  I knew I needed a support group and that Grayson would have an easier time adjusting to the insulin injections if he saw other children dealing with it as well.  

 

For the first few months Grayson fought the injections, sometimes even refusing to eat because he was associating food with the shots.  He told me one day that if he did not eat, he would no longer need anymore shots.  It was then, even at the age of 4, that he learned if he did not get his insulin, he would die.  He became very aware of what was required to live a healthy life.  His daily question was, "How much longer do I have to do this?"  Honesty is always best, thus we told him for the rest of his life unless a cure was found.  We desperately want to find a cure.  Consequently, anything we can do to raise money for research, we will do it! 

 

Grayson's bravery was an excellent standard for me to follow.  We began to educate anyone who was willing to listen on how to take care of Grayson - neighbors, teachers, baby sitters, grand parents, and most importantly, Grayson himself.  At the age of 5, he was off the injections and receiving his insulin via a pump.  He even knew how to test his Blood Glucose Levels (BGL) and work his pump by himself.  He always knew that an adult had to watch what he was doing and verify the BGL and Carbs for him. Consequently, it is not surprising to discover that MATH is his favorite thing in life!  It is amazing how many numbers he has to deal with on a daily basis.  Now, at the age of 7, he continues to tell anyone who is interested about his diabetes and how his pump works. Grayson looks forward to a day when there is a cure and he is not dependent on insulin to live.

 

 

   

Grayson At Bowman Lake Montana

Grayson Riding His Motorcycle