My 4 year old just got diagnosed with type 1 a few days ago while on vacation. Blood sugar was over 600. His sister also has type 1.
she is 12 now but was diagnosed at 1 in DKA. Would love to talk to more people with siblings that have it. I’m having a hard time processing it all. It’s been such a tough journey with my 12 year old. We are nearing the age of more independence. Feels like I’m starting over
Thank you.
I believe both @glitzabetes and @RachelMaraii have siblings with T1. Hopefully they will stop by and post.
Hello yes! I was diagnosed at 2 and my older brother was diagnosed when he was 21 (I was 16 at the time).
Our situation is likely a little different than your kids as my brother was pretty much managing his own diabetes from the start, although of course he had a lot of information/support from me and my parents when he was first learning everything.
I do have a sense of the heartache of this diagnosis for you guys though. We had been hoping my brother might be “in the clear” since I was diagnosed so young, so it was emotionally hard on our whole family when he was diagnosed.
If you have any specific questions I am happy to try to give insight
Thank you
My brother was diagnosed at age 6 I believe (when I was 2), and I was diagnosed at age 8. Now as an adult, I can’t imagine how hard it was for my parents… I feel for you and your kiddos
I really appreciated having a sibling with T1. I’m sure my little sister resented it a little – she got pricked every time she felt a little sick haha. Besides occasionally going to T1 support groups with my family, my brother was the only T1 person I knew for years. It was really valuable to have someone I could complain to who got it in the most visceral way, and to have someone who I could go to for advice too. We still joke about our Thanksgiving bolus “strategy meetings.”
I now have a really good friend from college who is also T1. And my brother is still an awesome resource. I’m grateful to have community in all its forms. I hope that your kids can learn to lean on each other in new ways too!
That’s wonderful you have him. Thanks for sharing your story with me. Yes already I feel like it has bonded my son and my daughter. Soon she will be also old enough to babysit him too which would be a huge help if I need to run out. I know it will get easier. Now I fight for Dexcom and Pump. I use the word fight because with my daughter that’s what I had to do with insurance. Thank you