Don't call my kids Diabetic

I know I’m all about Type 1. I talk about it, I write about it, and a lot of my daily life revolves around it. But when it comes to the kids being kids, it’s a different story. Much of the talking, writing, and acting comes from a place of working to keep the kids’ lives as normal as possible. Most of our days involve playing, talking, reading, emptying the dishwasher, kid squabbles, laundry folding, bike riding, ball throwing, taking care of pets, and reminders to brush their teeth. They’re regular kids. Kids who just happen to have diabetes too.

There’s a saying among Type 1 moms and dads: “Kid first, diabetes second.” Their doctors discuss it, the social workers at the clinic discuss it, and we preach it to the teachers. It’s also why you’ll never hear me call my husband nor my children “diabetic”.

Why? Because it’s not who they are, it’s something they have.

We don’t let it define them. Diabetes is just one their many adjectives. It’s probably ranked number 72 or 84 on the list, long after “kind”, “funny”, “intuitive”, and “smart”. Likewise situated well after “tall”, “graceful”, and “handsome”. In the grand scheme of describer words it’s not an overly important one. Surely, nowhere near in importance as “kind” and “funny”.

Because if someone were to ask me to tell them about my kids and who they are, diabetes wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind. They’re so much more than that.