Being Prepared as a Teen

Preparedness is important for everything; everyone has heard the idiom “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” This phrase especially pertains to diabetes. Hope for an A1C of 6, a blood glucose of 120, never running out of strips, never having to use a glucagon, etc., but remember it’s important to prepare for anything. 

As a teenager, I have to admit that I'm sometimes less prepared than I was when I was younger because I’m juggling more things and I am more familiar with my body, but that is not a smart way to manage my health. A couple of weeks ago on my way to a volleyball tournament over an hour away, I realized when I got there that I had 20 units in my pump and I’d left my kit at home. It was going to be at least a seven hour tournament, I would be playing volleyball for most of it, and I would have to eat something at some point. Thankfully, my mom got a kit from Walgreens before I started playing and I had enough insulin to get me through the tournament, but I learned valuable aspects about being prepared. I didn't have anything in my bag for a situation like this. 

Now, after being through this experience, I carry extra pump supplies, an extra bottle of strips, tabs, the little kit from Walgreens, and a bottle of insulin in my sports bag just in case. And, for school, I have a similar bag in my backpack. I also double check to make sure my kit is with me if I’m going somewhere. So, although it is usually not necessary to bring everything and the kitchen sink, it is reassuring to know I am prepared for anything when I leave the house. 

Being prepared for everyday life is important, but it is also important to be prepared in case of an emergency situation. You can read more about being prepared for an emergency situation diabetes.org. 

Diabetes Camp

This year, I am so excited to go back to diabetes camp with the American Diabetes Association! I’ve had the privilege of being a volunteer for the past four years and a camper at the Association day camps. I went as a camper the year after I was diagnosed and, as most campers are when they start, I felt scared, alone, and different. However, after just the first day at Camp, I gained confidence, hope, and learned a lot! When the week was over, I left with more experience, knowledge, and assurance. I went from being a scared kid, the only type one child in my entire school, to knowing that I was one of hundreds just in my community with the American Diabetes Association to help me! 

I’ve gained even more knowledge as a volunteer— every year that I return, I see kids give their first shots, test their blood sugar for the first time, or bolus from their pump with pride. Kids learn important, tangible diabetes information, like carb counting, safety, etc., but also non-tangible lessons like ‘diabetes makes me stronger,’ ‘I am no different than any other kid without diabetes,’ or ‘I can do anything!’ I am so lucky to be able to go to Camp every year as a volunteer to continue my learning - nothing is more heartening and special than watching kids go to Camp and have the American Diabetes Association Camp experience. 

Although it’s only one week, Camp lasts forever. It gives dozens of positive messages to kids that they will have in their toolbox for the rest of their lives and gives them connections that will also last them their entire lives. All of the volunteers are excellent role models who guide kids to safe management of diabetes through fun activities. As a volunteer, I’ve seen many campers undergo the positive changes of Camp- coming in scared and dependent on others for safe diabetes management and leaving confident in their own abilities. Personally, I’ve developed a network of friends through Camp who I know I can always count on if I’m having a bad day. Camp is an amazing experience for campers, volunteers, and parents alike! Don’t miss out this year!

You can register for Camp, and learn more at www.diabetes.org/illinoiscamps or contacting the American Diabetes Association at illinoiscamps@diabetes.org. 

The 2016 camp dates and locations are: 

June 20 to June 24 2016

Camp Confidence

Des Plaines, Illinois

Age Range: 4 to 9 years

June 27 to July 1 2016

Camp Discovery

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Age Range: 4 to 9 years

July 10 to July 15 2016

Camp Granada (Camp is full, can register for wait list)

Monticello, Illinois

Age Range: 8 to 16 years

July 11 to July 15 2016

Camp Crossroads

Chicago, Illinois

Age Range: 4 to 9 years

July 24 to July 30 2016

Triangle D

Ingleside, Illinois

Age Range: 9 to 13 years

July 31 to August 6 2016

Teen Adventure Camp  (Camp is full, can register for wait list)

Ingleside, Illinois

Age Range: 14 to 18 years

August 1 to August 5 2016

Camp Can Do

Palos Park, Illinois

Age Range: 4 to 9 years

American Diabetes Association Expo

Get ready, the 2016 American Diabetes Association Chicago Expo is here! 

 

The American Diabetes Association Expo is very, very informative and fun. It’s an amazing experience; everywhere you turn, you can find great information and tons of diabetes support! I handed out flyers in the  Family Fun Zone last year, and I saw firsthand how much effort goes into making sure that every person who walks through the door can learn and have as much fun as possible. I talked to friends, siblings, and teachers of many people with diabetes who came to learn and had that request fulfilled. It’s a great, great experience for all! Come take advantage of cooking demonstrations, giveaways, information, and medical/health screenings at the free Expo, April 9th in the Lakeside Center of McCormick Place! 

Learn more and register at www.diabetes.org/expochicago

Sports and Diabetes

Sports and diabetes can be tricky! Each different exercise requires something different from your body and therefore does something different to your blood sugar. It is an intricate calculation to figure out what/when/if to eat, how much insulin to take, how much you will play, and how all of these and other variables will affect your body and blood sugar. Over the years, I've played many different sports, including volleyball, hockey, track, basketball, and soccer and weight training/conditioning for many of these sports. I can confirm it is complicated to take all of these factors and calculate them, but from my athletic experiences I've gained wisdom.

One of the first things I've learned is talk to the coach(es). Keep a strong communication with him/her because your blood sugar will most likely be affected the most while exercising. Tell the coach exactly what you need and always tell him/her if something is wrong or you need to take a break to eat/drink/bolus. It can be weird or embarrassing to have to take a snack during games, but it is necessary and nothing to be ashamed of!

Sometimes, teammates will want to know why/what you’re eating or if they can have some. I've found that it’s usually easier to bring a “disguised” snack, like Gatorade, a protein bar, etc. to have so that you can “blend in” with others’ snack choices. Treating a low blood sugar is nothing to be ashamed of, but it can be easier and quicker to treat if people aren't asking questions or asking you to share.

Third, listen to your body! Take the time to check your blood sugar to see how your exercise affects you and learn to interpret the signs your body gives you. It’s no big deal if you ask your coach what exercises you’re doing that day so you can adequately prepare; for example, I personally keep my pump on when I lift weights, and on days that I practice volleyball I bolus for half my food before and take my pump off.

Lastly, make sure you have everything you need on the bench. In case of a situation, it’s easier to have your supplies near you rather than in your bag at the other end of the gym. Also, this can alleviate any anxiety you might have about going low and help you to focus on giving your all at whatever exercise you choose.

Be sure to check out the American Diabetes Association Webpage to learn more tips on how to prevent hypoglycemia while exercising or playing sports!

Good luck in all your future athletic endeavors!

-Amelia

2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador
American Diabetes Association

Dealing with Diabetes at School

One of the hardest thing about managing my diabetes is managing it at school. It can be uncomfortable to be high/low at school, awkward to tell people that you’re diabetic, or embarrassing to have to leave the classroom when no one else is available to help treat your blood sugar. Sometimes, it is hard to have to explain it over and over again to classmates who may not fully comprehend what diabetes is or the difference between type one and type two.

            Over the years, I've developed some strategies that have helped me deal with diabetes in school:

            a) It is very important to tell your teachers/coaches that you have diabetes. It’s reassuring to know you have support in case anything happens. Although I have a school diabetes management plan, I've found it helpful to make a clear, concise, one page document that I give to my teachers explaining what diabetes is, what I need, and a couple of other important details.

            b) I am very open about my diabetes. I keep my pump clipped to the outside of my pocket and I test in front of people. That is what works for me and my school; however, it is important to do whatever you feel comfortable with. If you want to tell only your close friends, that is completely fine! If you choose to have a whole-class meeting to tell your peers, that works too! Remember, it’s your diabetes and whatever works for you will work for everyone, too!

            c) Do whatever makes you comfortable! Diabetes is about you, and whatever makes you feel safe, secure, and happy is what should happen. It is you who has to deal with it all the time, and therefore everything you need should be provided to you! If you want a space to store your diabetes supplies within a classroom, permission to leave/stay in the classroom while you test, or having an alternate choice if an edible prize/snack is given in class that is not compatible with diabetes, that is something you deserve to have. 

And, if you have any questions about in-school diabetes management, the American Diabetes Association Safe at School program has great resources to support you, you can find more information at www.diabetes.org/safeatschool. 

Thanks!

Amelia Renner

2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador
American Diabetes Association

Introducing the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador!

Hello! My name is Amelia Renner and I am the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador. I am fifteen years old and a freshman in high school in downtown Chicago. I play competitive volleyball at a club and at my school, I love to read, and I use an Animas insulin pump and meter.

I began my experience with the American Diabetes Association almost immediately after my diagnosis. I was diagnosed in August of 2009, right before I went into the third grade. I was terrified, anxious, and completely dependent on my parents and teachers to control my diabetes for me. My mom then sent me to the American Diabetes Association Camp Confidence where I learned many, many lessons on managing my diabetes, viewed many positive role models, learned about my condition, made new friends, and had a great time! 

For the past 3 years I have been volunteering at Camp Crossroads and for the past 2 years at Camp Confidence because it is so important for people with diabetes to learn these lessons and I am sure that American Diabetes Association diabetes camps are the best places for this to occur. To me, being the Illinois Youth Ambassador means that I get to help more people learn these lessons and get to know the American Diabetes Association support system. I am very, very lucky to have been able to participate in diabetes camps and to have become the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador; I am very excited to work in this position and to get to know all of you!!

Happy Holidays and Thank You!

Happy holidays everyone!! This is my last blog as my role as the American Diabetes Association Illinois Youth Ambassador is coming to an end. I just wanted to say how thankful I was for this opportunity and to help other kids with diabetes. I want to encourage other kids out there to help out around their community and help other kids with diabetes because you never know whose life you are really going to touch or be an inspiration for. Remember you're not alone there is always someone who is going through the same situation. I cannot wait to see who the 2016 youth ambassador will be to continue being an inspiration to all!

I had a lot of fun helping out this year. Some of the activities I did was going to the Family Link Mini Golf Day to golf with kids while their parents were able to connect, I got to speak at the diabetes Expo, rode in the Tour de Cure, walked in Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, got to go to a race car speedway and cheer on Ryan Reed in his Stop Diabetes race car, and going to diabetes camps (my fav!) as both a camper and meeting with kids at the day camps! I had a lot of fun doing all of these.

I'm glad I had this opportunity so I could help other kids out. I don't think diabetes is a burden, in a way it's more of something to learn from. It taught me to never give up and that I am still "normal". I can still do everything like I used to. Diabetes for me hasn't slowed down anything that I do. It pushed me to work harder and show people that I am still the same person.

We had a diabetes awareness day at our school recently where everyone wore blue. We had blue face paint and since my number for all of my sports is #31, many of my classmates wrote “31” on their face with paint. Even the state representative came to our school and saw what we were doing. It was quite inspirational!

Having diabetes made me want to work even harder to accomplish the goals I want, even though it might be a little more tougher down the road. I'm so happy I got this experience and let everyone know that diabetes can't and won't stop you. You are still normal and will accomplish everything you want to. Just keep a smile on your face and never give up. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!