Monday, February 22, 2010

Happy Birthday Diabetes

Three years ago today, diabetes made its debut in our lives. It was a day of heavy emotion; a day of mourning what had been; and a day of learning in the medical world.
Today, it is a day of celebration; a day to educate others; and a day to acknowledge how special Lainey is.

Lainey had preschool this morning, so I thought it'd be fun to bring brownies and sing Happy Birthday to diabetes with Lainey's classmates.
My friend, Karlene, wanted to make it extra special by having a lesson about our bodies, showing pictures of our organs, and letting Lainey have a show-and-tell about diabetes. Lainey ate up the attention! She loved showing her classmates her pump, her meter, and how to check her blood sugar. All the kids gathered around while I pricked Lainey's finger, and she placed the blood on the test strip. Then we read the blood sugar number together, which was 261. One little boy was afraid of the blood on Lainey's finger, and ran to his mom crying, "I don't want to do that!" The other kids thought it was cool and I think they were surprised how brave Lainey was about getting her finger pricked.
I explained to the class that we each have an organ called a pancreas inside our bodies. Lainey's pancreas is "lazy" and doesn't work how it's supposed to, so that's why she has to wear a pump. The pump is her pancreas on the outside of her body.

The kids and moms sang "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Diabetes, Happy Birthday to you!" Then Karlene yells, "And many more---until there's a cure!" Lainey blew out 3 candles.

Lainey, her classmates, and siblings enjoying their brownies.
I tried to explain to Karlene how much this "birthday" meant to me. To have Lainey, not only be included, but to have her "unique difference" shown in a positive light among her peers made me so happy. It meant the world to me. "Thank you" is not enough.

I thought this was too cute. Hannah, Lainey, and Rachel are drawing on the Leap Frog.
For Lainey's diagnosis story read HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Enjoy!

7 comments:

Wendy said...

We love you, Lainey!!!!!!

Congrats on the big 3 :) Here's a toast to many, many, many happy years to come.

CHEERS!

Tracy said...

Happy 3 Years!

What a great way to celebrate!

Meri said...

What a great way to make diabetes a positive thing in her life!

She is getting so big!! She changes every time you post a picture!

Jessica said...

I just wanted to thank you for sharing this. As someone with a child newly diagnosed, it is comforting to see that you don't spend the anniversary moping around or being angry- not to say that you don't have those feelings, but what you are doing now is shaping Lainey's attitude towards this, and I think you are doing a great job!

Karlene said...

Thanks Megann I am now crying! You are awesome and teaching all the other kids was amazing! Go Lainey!

Shamae (Ghost written by Loren her hubby) said...

Wow 3 years! I didn't realize the dx days were so close for Lainey and Syd. Syd's 2 year anniversary is on Thursday!

mommy1 said...

It always amazes me how time can fly by regardless of the fact diabetes is a diseases that forces someone to live hour by hour. Congratulations! May her life be filled with 80+ (uncomplicated) more!

Amy P.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...