Sunday January 15, 2012

“Why are you wearing that on your arm?” asked my 10 year old nephew.  “Oh, that is my new Continuous Glucose Monitor,” I replied.  “Cool, so it checks your blood sugar?  Do you still have to prick your finger?” he asked.  Now, my nephew is no stranger to asking questions and he is a pretty smart cookie.  He is also no stranger to my diabetes.  But, when he responded with such a spot on question, I had to pause and gather myself, I was blown away. 

What surprised me is that he put it together so quickly from those 3 simple words, “Continuous Glucose Monitor”.  He then proceeded to ask me how it works.  When I told him, there is a small piece of metal under the skin that reads my glucose levels and the “little gray thing” is a transmitter.  He got the concept right away.   “Oh so you scan it with that hand held thing?”  “No, it transmits wirelessly”.  “Oh, cool!” he says.  Yep, it’s pretty cool.

Now, I know it may seem weird that I was so blown away by the fact that he understood the CGM and its purpose.  But I am always amazed that he “gets” my diabetes.  Those of you who have been bombarded with questions that are so off base and sometimes inappropriate when it comes to your diabetes and your method of care, you know what I mean.  It seems that when you try to educate some people about your diabetes, they just do not “get” it, no matter how many times you explain.

The most interesting thing about the conversation with my nephew is that he listened to what I was saying, asked the right questions, and completely understood what the device did and how it worked.  My nephew is quite smart when it comes to electronics and such, but what is so refreshing to me is no matter what I tell him about my diabetes, he understands.  I have discussed my diabetes with him before.  He knows about my insulin pump and why I have to check my blood sugar.  He knows why I sometimes have to eat glucose tabs and why and when my blood sugar might go low sometimes and high at other times.  He does not judge me, he does not “police” me and he sees me for who I am, Aunt Melissa, not my “Aunt with Diabetes”.   Don’t you wish everyone really GOT your diabetes with such clarity?

What my nephew doesn’t know are the myths about diabetes, the generalizations the public makes about people with diabetes, and the stigma often placed on diabetes and those of us struggling with it every day.  I am amazed at the way information falls on the ears of child.  I am amazed that my nephew, who is 10, takes the time to ask questions and really understands my diabetes care.  Whether this stems from compassion or pure 10 year old curiosity is beside the question.  (Although, my 10 year old nephew is an “old soul” so I gather it comes from both).  I am amazed that sometimes, the general population cannot take the time to do the same.  You know those rare occasions when you meet someone new and they learn you have diabetes and those people “get” it? 

You know how it makes you feel so good that there is someone out there who listens and really understands?  That is the way I feel every time I talk with my nephew about my diabetes.   Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone understood and reacted to diabetes the way he does?  I look forward to the day that I don’t have to explain my diabetes anymore, but in the meantime, I take solace in the fact that at least one more person understands and that I am doing my part by educating a young mind, sharing with him, the truth about living with diabetes.  Do you have someone in your life that really “gets” your diabetes?