Kids’ Encouraging Messages

The 10 Kids’ Encouraging Messages were written by children and adults from ages 8 to 88, who live with challenges of Type 1 Diabetes. The 10 messages are designed to provide knowledge, reassurance, humor and encouragement to children and their families. Below are previews of the Kid’s messages. You can read all 10 complete and inspirational messages on pages 60-66 in Purr-fect Pals.

Lucky & Blessed by Richard “Dick” Seidel

beyond luck blessed #2Be a Positive Person
At age 15, I was told I had diabetes. I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 73 years, and I am now 88 years old. Today, people who have Type 1 Diabetes have so many more advantages than I had. My Encouraging Message is: Take good care of yourself; pay attention to your diabetes and get on the pump; find a good endocrinologist; be a positive person; and appreciate your blessings, especially if you have a family like mine that loves each other and loves me!


You Don’t Have to Be Afraid by José Ricardo Redmond Vázquez

do not be afraid- couragePeople who help
I was 3 years old when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Now I am 8 years old. You don’t have to be afraid because I have diabetes, too, and at least we have nurses to help us. So you don’t have to worry. We are not the only ones who have diabetes. A lot of people go to the Walk to Cure Diabetes. You get a lot of support from a lot of people, in school, at the hospital… I love that I have a nurse, and she is very good and kind to me.


No Limits by Jimmy Day

no limits roadIt’s not an obstacle
I have had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 15 months old. Even though I have diabetes, I have never thought of myself as a diabetic.Diabetes is just something I have, like having two eyes. It’s not an obstacle, just another thing to do, like eating. I am now 17 years old, and Type 1 Diabetes has been all I know. I have played sports all my life and diabetes has never really gotten in the way.


I Am Unique by Emily Gold

uniqueIt’s cool!
I am 16 years old, and I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 9 years. When I was first diagnosed, I was nervous and scared because I didn’t know what diabetes was. But once I learned about diabetes and how to manage it, I was comfortable with having it.I would tell all of my classmates about how I had to test my blood sugar and give myself shots and carry a juice box with me. And guess what? They thought it was cool!


A Big Gift by Mindy McBee

a big giftLiving a normal life
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 11 years old. I have lived with diabetes for 25 years. My biggest challenge, as a child living with Type I Diabetes, was acceptance. Today, I live a normal life. I am thankful I have diabetes because I am in-tune with my body and am grateful to be so health conscious.


My Happy Life by Evey Bell

MY happy life #2This is who I am
I was 3 years old when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I had some pretty hard times at first. I didn’t like people asking me questions. I didn’t like getting my shots. I am now 11 years old, and diabetes hasn’t held me back. I’m living a happy life, and Type 1 Diabetes is only a PART of who I am; it isn’t ALL of who I am.


Evey’s Purr-fect Pal by Kristen McConony

evey girl friendsBBF
I met my friend Evey when I was 5 and she was 6 years old. At first, it was a little weird to have a friend with Type 1 Diabetes. I quickly realized that having a friend with Type 1 Diabetes is no different than being friends with anybody else! Checking her blood sugar and taking her insulin is just part of her daily life, and because we are friends, it is part of mine!!


Walking Together for a Cure by Andy Rogers

walk to find a cure #1My heroes
I was diagnosed at the age of 15. My older sister, Kelli, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 10 years old, 7 years before I was. I was lucky to have my sister to guide me. She is my hero! Although diabetes isn’t always easy, it’s easier when we work together and take it one day at a time. We have to be patient, yet persistent, for a cure, and we can do this by walking TOGETHER. Find the heroes in your everyday life, I have found mine… Each and every one of YOU!


I Am A Lucky Guy! by Marc Blatstein

today is your lucky day#2Smiles and laughter
An amazing, exciting, and challenging roller coaster ride describes the 54 years of my life with diabetes. From age 10 until my age now, 64, I have experienced so many funny, sad, and wonderful moments. I also smile and laugh at life, diabetes, and anything that gets in my way. Life is like a roller coaster ride. Hold on for the ups and downs, but enjoy the ride. I tell people I collect friends. I have friends everywhere.
I am a lucky guy!


Reality by Joshua Glazov

reality checkThe truth
I’ve had Type1 Diabetes since I was 15. I’m 44 now. Many things are harder to do. That’s just the unvarnished truth. You’ll muster-up the grit to do them anyway. It gets easier. But it’s never easy.

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