Inspirational Moments Stories

As a mother who has raised a child with diabetes, I know and understand what you are experiencing. The following “Inspirational Moments” stories are my gift to you—a source of strength and encouragement, a friendly companion to accompany you on your own journey with diabetes. I trust the stories will help you realize that you are not alone and that many others are willing to offer you their assistance, knowledge, love and comfort.

A Mom’s Message
	The gift is there When your beautiful, healthy child is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, you’re broken-hearted. You feel anger, fear, confusion, and frustration. You are grieving a loss. You seek medical, emotional, and spiritual assistance from family, friends, and professionals because you need to help your child and yourself. You begin to feel as though you’re the driver in a raging race against time, trying hard not to crash and burn. You must muster your courage so you can show your child how to stay the course until he or she becomes the driver. read more…
Direct Advice
	Doctor’s direct diagnosis in perspective During our family’s Thanksgiving celebration in 1985, I noticed that our eldest son, Joshua, looked pale and thin. “You should see Dr. Bud tomorrow,” I told him after dinner. “You look like you might be coming down with mono.” At first Joshua was reluctant to go to the doctor, but he admitted he was feeling pretty miserable and agreed. read more…
The Odyssey Begins
	Education and teamwork brings confidence When Joshua was first diagnosed, our family began an odyssey, a long, wandering journey marked by adventures in learning—about diabetes, ourselves, and each other. Our immediate goal was adjusting to Joshua’s diagnosis as a family. The long-term goal was his responsible and healthy management of his diabetes. read more…
Pop-Tart Rules!
	Surprise snack selection Before the diagnosis, Joshua and his younger brother, Noah, would persistently ask me to buy the junk food they ate at friends’ homes or saw advertised on TV. They tried every scheme in the book to get me to relent on my no-junk, too-much-sugar food rule. read more…
Noah to the rescue!
	Answering students’ SOS call A few weeks after we returned from the diabetes clinic, Joshua put together a diabetes presentation for the staff at his high school. “Cracker,” the cafeteria manager, told Joshua he was well acquainted with diabetes because his wife also had Type I. Cracker also told Joshua that if he didn’t have time to get to the diabetes supplies in his locker, he could come to the cafeteria and take whatever food he needed, whenever he needed it. read more…
Mountain Miracle
	A driving snow storm In February 1986, Joshua had experienced several low blood sugar reactions. His nurse, Sally, and I thought it might be best if he and I drove up to Reno for a more complete checkup at the diabetes clinic. Joshua and I left on a clear morning, packed for the typical three-hour ride through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. read more…
What’s in a Name?
	A principal phone call blessing Our phone rang at one o’clock in the morning. It was Mike, the principal of Joshua’s high school. He asked Jordan, my husband, if Joshua had come home from the basketball game the night before. He had, Jordan said. Mike then asked Jordan to ask Joshua if he had seen Rob, a classmate, who had not yet come home after the game. read more…
Joshua Soars
	Transforming a “no” into a “yes,” gives Joshua a “Life’s best moment!” During Joshua’s stay at the diabetes clinic, I spoke privately with his doctor about Joshua’s love for aviation. “I am willing to do anything I have to do to help my son,” I told him, “but I will not tell Joshua he cannot fly a plane. I refuse to destroy his dream.” read more…
Ellen’s Pajamas
	Friends and family members who deal with diabetes challenges, also need support “Ellen, you’ve been so heavy on my heart, I needed to call. Are you OK?”"I can’t believe you called,” said Ellen, my neighbor. “The baby’s really sick and the doctor hasn’t called me back.”Her baby, Jimmy, had just been diagnosed with Type I. I threw my winter jacket over my shoulders and ran toward Ellen’s house, thinking how difficult it must be to have a fifteen-month-old with diabetes. read more…
Emergency!
	Sometimes you need an angel, sometimes you are the angel When we had learned that our neighbor’s eldest daughter, Mindy, had been diagnosed with Type I diabetes, I called to see how we could be of help. Mindy’s mom is a nurse, and she asked if my husband and I could be included on their Emergency Phone List. I immediately agreed. read more…
Take Good Care of Yourself
	Put your own oxygen mask on first When Joshua was diagnosed in 1985, we were told there would be a cure for diabetes within the next five years. I knew from my research that it would probably take a lot longer, so I was determined to make sure he knew how to take good care of himself. I repeatedly said to him, “Joshua, take really good care of yourself now, so if they find a cure, you will be healthy enough to have it, and if they don’t, you will still live a long and healthy life.” read more…