Today is World Diabetes Day. This day commemorates the birthday of one of the men responsible for my youngest son being alive today–Sir Frederick Banting. This amazing Canadian was involved in providing us with an inject-able source of insulin–the first step on the journey to cure Type 1 diabetes.
Today is also the first time that my son is going to a diabetes clinic without his mother. Because of where he currently lives, it is not possible for me to travel to attend with him. He is going with his dad. I received a text while he was in the office looking for some information. I had already been in contact with his new CDE and provided his basal rates and carb to insulin ratios. The rest of the appointment is/was up to him.
While my son attending his first ever clinic appointment is a big deal for me, an even bigger deal is who my son will see today–on Sir Banting’s birthday. He will sit and chat with the man who kept him alive on that March day many years ago when he was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
My son is returning to his first pediatrician. This is the man who told me that the next 24 hours were critical and would tell if my son lived or died. This is also the man who held my hand and kicked my butt to learn and gain confidence in dealing with this beast we call Type 1 diabetes.
I have said time and time again how hard it is having my children living far away from me. I have moaned and groaned about the challenges of having a teen living away and the many worries that come with that. The best thing about his move however is this return to his doctor.
His doctor knows my son’s potential. He knows me. He has watched my son grow. He has always encouraged my son’s independence. He has also never been shy of telling either of us what he thought.
Today is World Diabetes Day. Today marks the birth of the man who discovered insulin. Today also marks a full circle in my son’s diabetes care. He began seeing this doctor as a toddler protected by his mother. Today he sees him again as a growing young man stretching to find his way in an adult world.
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