CHRISTIAN’S DIAVERSARY

FROM A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE

BY TARA DANA

Our story started out a little different than most. Christian was involved in the Teddy study from birth because we found out when he was born that he had the high-risk gene for developing T1D. Since I have a family history (my sister) of type 1 diabetes, I figured it would be good for us to be involved with the study. I wanted to "know" if my son was going to develop diabetes. I wanted to be on top of things so I could be more prepared if that day ever came. From a very young age, Christian always had 2-3 out of the 4 antibodies that were being tested for elevated. We knew he had a 50% chance of developing T1D. But as much as I thought that made me prepared for the possibility of it happening, I was just lying to myself. April 26, 2015 came, and I felt like I was hit with a ton of bricks! Reality hit us hard. Reality that life with diabetes was going to be our new normal. Reality that our life was never going to be the same! I cried. I cried a lot! Not because I was mad or because I was scared, but because I was sad that my son was going to have to deal with this for the rest of his life. I began to question myself and what we had done wrong. I felt like a failure. I felt like I hadn't done what I was supposed to do as a mom to take care of my son. I felt like it was all my fault!

Six years later and I can now say we have come a long way. I was finally able to accept this new "normal" and that his diagnosis was not my fault. We have tried to turn Christian's diagnosis into something positive. Christian is now going on 3 years with being an advocate for the Children's Diabetes Foundation. We do everything possible to help educate and spread awareness of type 1 diabetes. I'm not going to say that everything is always joyful and without frustrations. Times have been tough. But we have learned, and continue to learn, how to deal with everything. The past year has been a little rougher than the previous years due to Christian now being a pre-teen, dealing with hormones, adjustments with starting middle school (during a pandemic, I might add), diabetes "burnout", and Christian beginning to want more autonomy with his care. Sometimes, just as we were getting into a routine and I thought it was getting easier, bam, this all hits. And then I think "WHY?" But most importantly, I question how I can help Christian get through all of this? All I want to do is set him up for success as he goes into adulthood. I want him to continue to live a healthy and happy life! I know now that whatever curveball is thrown our way, we will take it with stride and eventually hit it out of the park. It's not always going to be an easy task, but it can be done. Especially if our family continues to work together and is supportive of Christian.

Living with T1D is a daily challenge, both for those living with the disease and those family members helping out their loved ones, but strength and perseverance are key. We cannot let diabetes win! These past 6 years have shown me how tough Christian is, and what a fighter he is. Do I get scared because I know what diabetes could possibly do to my son? Yes. But then Christian reminds me that we don't have anything to be scared of, we are in this fight together, and we are going to come out on top! I love you Christian Dana. I know that your future is in your hands, you have already made a BIG difference, and you are going to continue to show the world that living with T1D is manageable! Happy 6-year diaversary!

Christian’s Story, In His Own Words

Hello, my name is Christian and I want to talk about my life with diabetes. I got diabetes when I was 6 and now I am 12. I have had diabetes for half my life and, yes, it's hard to say that. I wish I didn’t have to say that, but life is what it is, and I want to thank all my family members for helping me with my struggles so far. One of my struggles with diabetes is having to deal with giving myself insulin every time I eat. I also get mad when I have to take breaks from activities or something fun that I am doing. But I say to myself that I can't always think of the bad, and I have to keep my mind set on how strong I am and how good I am at dealing with diabetes. I want to thank the Barbara Davis Center for being there when I need them. I’d also like to thank all the doctors and nurses who have helped me over the years and who have taught me how to take care of myself. I want to say a BIG thank you to the CDF for being a big supporter of me and giving me the opportunity to educate others about T1D with the advocates program. I wish I could make my diabetes go away, but it won't happen. Yet everyone that has helped me is making me feel better and helping me deal with my life with diabetes.