Monday, September 26, 2011

Among 3000 Lions

At the zoo event that was hosted by our local ADA office, Ubergeek and I were talking with the ADA reps about this, that, and whatever and Ubergeek just had to mention the song and our "You Can Do This" video.

As a result, I was asked if I would be willing to share Bean's story at the Lions Club Conference that was held this weekend.  I said sure, not knowing exactly what it would en tale, but knew that any chance to talk to people about T1 was a good thing.

I found out later, as I was prepped for the evening, that the Lions Club is very supportive of the ADA and make such events like Diabetes Camp and Family Link possible.  What an honor to be able to not only share our family's story, but to be able to thank them for their support of events that have made an impact on our family.

I also found out that this was not just local Lions, but was a HUGE conference and I would be speaking in front of 3000 people!  Yeah, not really in my comfort zone, but it was too late to make up an excuse and not do it! ;)

So, I bought the girls fancy dresses (love second hand stores!) and off we went.

our ADA friend Michelle bought the girls lions...so cute!

It was quite the site when everyone was seated and the dinner service began.  Bean and I were wisked away just after the salads were served and escorted to the stage.

view from our table in the back left corner of the HUGE room
I'm stage right, Bean is stage left with our Lions escort...not that you can see us!


It went really well.  I didn't mess up too many times. ;) And Bean was super cute on stage.  Ubergeek recorded it, edited it (I used Bean's real name lots of times), and uploaded it to youtube.  You all know by now he's awesome like that. 



Love that I was able to give a shout out to all my DOC friends!



Monday, September 19, 2011

When Tears Fall Again

Last week, Ubergeek and I met with the team at Bean's school to start the 504 plan process.

This is something we have been waiting to get started for a year now.

There is a new principal and a new nurse, so we are already having a better year in those areas.

Other areas are not going so well.  Bean is having issues taking a super long time in the bathroom (yeah, she's a dawdler and has a tendency to go A LOT) and she is having a hard time getting her work done (just now starting to get her ratios and basals set so she's not running high or crashing all the time!).

We came prepared with a 504 plan already written, based on the sample one from the ADA, because I knew that I wasn't going to trust anyone else to make sure Bean's needs are met.  Unfortunately most of the meeting was centered around the problems that Bean is having with very little regard for her diabetes.  No matter how hard the nurse, Ubergeek, or I tried, they just weren't 'getting it' that pretty much all of Bean's 'issues' having either underlying or blatant D connections.

Thankfully, the nurse did finally get across a few D points and was going to be following up with Bean's teachers later that week to make sure that certain things (like making sure she's actually testing before recess instead of just giving Wilma's (her CGM) number and her teacher taking her word for it ~ yikes!) were addressed immediately while we are waiting for the 504 plan to be put into place.


It wasn't a 'feel good' meeting.  I went into it knowing that I was going to have to keep myself calm, and for the most part I did.  It could have very easily escalated because it was about my Bean and as much as I know she has 'issues' (D or not) and as much as I know that she's not a perfect child (shocker, I know!) I do not like it when other people hone in on those issues and make them out to be bigger than they are, or don't take into account that those issues might not be entirely under Bean's control.  We don't allow her to use D as an excuse, but there are times that D is the reason, like it or not.

Later that night, Ubergeek and I were talking about the meeting and I couldn't keep the tears from falling.  It's been months since I've cried because of D.  I honestly couldn't tell you the last time.  But that night I cried and cried and cried.

I cried for my 'smart kid' that is testing second to lowest in her class because of blood sugar issues.

I cried for my 'trustworthy kid' that is being seen as someone who can't be trusted to go where she's supposed to go.

I cried for my 'honest kid' who is now feeling the need to lie about things to keep from getting into more trouble.

I cried for my 'focus and get the work done kid' who now struggles with her assignments because of out of range BGs or 'holes' in her knowledge from missing class time last year because of D.

I cried for the 'involved, supportive mom' that I'm struggling to be now that I'm working and our evenings are even shorter than they were before.

I cried for the unfairness of D to rob my Bean of so many normal things that no other mom or kid has to worry about.

I cried and cried and cried because there was nothing else I could do.  And I'm crying again, damn it!




I know that it will all work out.

I know that the 504 plan will help ensure Bean is getting what she has the right to get and I will make sure of that.

I know that we will work our butts off at home to fill those holes and help her succeed this year.

I know that D will again take a backseat and not drive us over the cliff...maybe right up to the edge, but I WILL NOT let it drive us over!

I know that you, my fellow D'rents, have been there and have come out the other side with dry eyes and 504 plans.

I know that the tears will be wiped away and my eyes will be dry.


But, I know they will fall again, it's just a matter of time....

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Girl Can Dream




Can I just say that I can't believe it's Wednesday already!  I so planned to post Monday or Tuesday to try to keep from just doing "Wordless Wednesday" and another 'cram it all in' post.  UGH! 
Here's to trying to get to post before Sunday rolls around again!!! :)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sunday Synopsis

Another week has come and gone.

Lots of things have been going on.

So I thought I'd take a minute or two

And share the goings on with you!! ;)





** I was asked this week to commit until the end of November with the substitute teaching position I have been doing for the past four weeks.  This is a fabulous thing as it allows me to go in to 'long-term sub' status which comes with a pay increase!!  So, it's now more financially rewarding to be busting my arse each day! ;)

** While in the front office area the other day, I was a part of a conversation between a parent and our secretary about this parent's child who had been called a 'pretty boy' at recess (just for the record, this kid is quite the looker).  The name caller thought it was a compliment because he liked the other boy's hair...it was quite 'fixed' with gel.  Come to find out the mom had recently switched products so as not to be spending $13 per jar on hair gel for her two boys.  She is now using a product call Gorilla Snot. seriously!  Come to find out there is also Bear Snot, but it doesn't work as well.  So if you ever need to know, Gorilla Snot is better that Bear Snot!! :)

** Ubergeek worked his magical IT ways and fixed my blog.  One of the pictures in one of the posts had freaked it out and all of the side bar 'things' were gone.  They are back now...YEA!!

** After some serious fit throwing on Bean's part yesterday at a get together, Ubergeek persisted with Bean today and she is now RIDING HER BIKE!!!  Granted, she still needs help getting started and she has trouble in the stopping area, but SHE'S RIDING HER BIKE!!!  She went from saying 'pedal, pedal, pedal' to 'I'm doing it, I'm doing it, I'm doing it' while I was running along side her.  It was an amazingly proud moment for all of us!


I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting, but that's what I got for now!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

...and the winner is...

The winner of the Lauren's Hope give away...






The amazing D-Mama who thinks her wacky kiddo would love this bracelet...

Mood Bead Medical ID Bracelet





The author who left comment #6





That winner?  


Well, it's none other than Amy, Emma's mom, from Mom of an Extra Sweet Insulin Challenged Girl!!


CONGRATULATIONS!!  


Send me an email in the next 24ish hours so I can connect you with Lauren's Hope so you can place your order!!