Friday, September 7, 2012

My Diabetes Village

You know that old saying, "it takes a village"? In this D-Momma's humble opinion....truer words were never spoken. When Emma was first diagnosed, I thought that there was no way I would feel comfortable leaving her with anyone else. I thought that no one would be able to take care of her like I could. I thought that no one would be able to do it right...no one would be able to manage her diabetes as good...no one could possibly do it as good as me because I am her Mom. I thought that I couldn't trust anyone else to do as good of a job because they couldn't possibly love her as much as I do and want to make sure she was ok as much as I did. So, I shouldered the responsibility on my own (with the help of my husband, of course). It felt like I carried the weight of the world on my shoulders. I thought that it was my responsibility...diabetes was my cross to bear...my path in life. I was her stand in pancreas and no one else would ever be able to understand that.
Fast forward 4 years.........
Emma is now 8. I have sent her off to junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and now 3rd grade. I have sent her off to school for 6 1/2 hours a day, 5 days a week from September to the end of June...every single year. I have learned that I can trust the school. I can trust the staff. I can trust the teachers she has had. I can trust the students that are her friends. I can trust HER.
This school year is only 4 days in...and I am quickly realizing how blessed I am. We have quite possibly one of the most amazing teachers I have ever met. She is kind. She is funny. She is caring. She is smart. She is a Mom. She is a compassionate individual who is teaching my child about the world around her, encouraging her love for reading, teaching her math, science, social studies, spelling,....all of the required education for a 3rd grader in Canada. She is helping her transition from that little 2nd grade girl who is dependant upon others for direction and guidance and help...to that path towards independance. She is teaching her to care for others. She is teaching her that SHE is special...she is important...she is unique. Yesterday, she had the class bring in 4 items to share with the class that meant something special to them. Today she had the class draw names out of a hat and write a little note to the person the chose....just a little kind gesture to make them feel good...she called it "Thoughtful Thursday" and they will be doing this every week. I LOVE THAT! I love that she is encouraging this type of thing.
On top of all of these things, she is keeping my kid alive. She has been visible...been involved...asked questions...reminded Emma to test before eating...looking at her number...making sure she boluses correctly...called me with questions...forewarned me of upcoming events...gym days, field trips, daily physical activity. She is right there by my side. She is helping. She is doing all of these things out of the kindness of her heart, because you see....we live in Ontario. There are no laws in place here that require a teacher to be this involved. There are no rules that require her to help out at all...not in the slightest little bit...not a single thing. She does these things anyway. She doesn't get paid extra. She takes 2 min out of her extremely busy morning to monitor Emma's blood sugar checks and boluses.......and then she does it again in the afternoon. She is learning. She is asking questions. She is there.
I wish there were words out there to express how much she already means to me. Her smile...her calm voice...her desire to learn. When she told me that she is trying to appear calm about diabetes to Emma so that Emma will not be scared or stressed about it, I knew...I knew I won the lottery. We are lucky. I have a feeling that by the end of this school year, I will have a new friend for life. I will have another beloved member of my diabetes village.

3 comments:

  1. Awesome! She sounds wonderful and I'm glad you have her! It makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it?

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  2. Blessed, for sure! Such peace of mind for you & Emma knowing you have such an amazing ally!

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  3. She is worth her weight in GOLD! Wonderful to read this...to learn that Emma is off to a great year. xo

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