How my son's DOG warned me of my own diabetes

I had been diagnosed with hypoglycemia for just over a year now. Given my own meter, etc. and let me tell you, I GET why my son eats us out of house and home when his blood sugar is low!
(Skip this red part if you are savvy)

• FOOD & SUGAR are the ingredients that solve low blood sugar episodes. When under 70, a diabetic (or anyone, for that matter) need a combination of sugar and then food (good protein/carb ratio) to steady out from dropping again. Sugar bombs don't solve it alone, but they help keep BS (blood sugar) up.
• When a diabetic is HIGH (like over 150) they must take insulin to help bring them back DOWN into a safe 80/90-120/150 range. That is what an INULIN PUMP does; it gives artificial insulin hourly into the blood stream to release blood sugar, because the tiny part of the pancreas that did that naturally is out of business, no more insulin.
• Pumps deliver insulin, and some, with another added sensor piece under the skin, can tell one's blood sugar range at any moment. (This is a CGM- Constant Glucose Monitor). These need to be calibrated by one actually pricking their finger and drawing blood. This is done with a METER, and this METER is also used frequently throughout the day for diabetics (with & without CGM's) of all types (1, 2 and hypoglycemics).
• Exercise naturally lowers blood sugar levels.
  

I am an over-protective, anxiety ridden basket case over my son's blood sugar levels. I'm in recovery, but still wear the badge. One night, as I went in to check his range (as he slept), his diabetic alert dog pawed me. Flint  kept pawing me. My son was fine. 117 to be exact. I thought to humor the dog and myself by checking my own level, and I was 58. 

Over the next few weekends of taking our DAD (in training) places, he would again let me know I was low. In the car, during my son's rugby practice...and a few times I'd "sugar up" to raise it but forget to eat and he'd paw me 20min later and I'd be back down to 70.

I am used to feeling crappy and out of sorts. I have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus, migraines, and my pituitary sac is flat in my brain stem, (Empty Sella); so I see my own Endocrinologist. I have been for years now, and so these consistent alerts began alarming me.

Then I got fat. Like instant fat. 

I had been steadily gaining, but credited it to my lack of exercise, energy, and need to eat small portions constantly to help from dropping from hypoglycemia. Yet within 10 days before flying back East for a wedding, I gained 14 pounds. And trust me, I was watching it. I had a lot of old friends to see! So I figured something was up and visited my Endo upon getting back in town.

The doc found was over-producing insulin and cortisone. What did that mean, exactly? Well his first idea was it could be a tumor (since my pituitary sac is already compromised). I cleared that test, (whew) and see my OB to rule out polycystic ovarian syndrome this week. (update: CLEAR) Now it's been solved on his end that I am "insulin resistant" and in the very early stages of PRE-DIABETES.

Say WHAT?! EFF me. EFF that. EFF. I will NOT do the "fat man's" diabeetus! (I know, not so nice, but that's the point of this blog).

Me at the biggest, then after 6 weeks of eating low glycemic diet

My dad & his brother both had been diagnosed with type 2 years before my son got his Type 1. I knew of them taking pills but being able to "reverse it" via diet and exercise. My dad and uncle (former football players) both did exactly this. We bonded over A1C numbers (that's when a test tells the blood sugar average over a 3month period), and I was very happy for their continued success. They are big guys; tall, strong, broad shoulders and big hearts. I never have, nor will see, "fat" when I picture them. But I knew it for myself. Last time I was this large I had my final baby ready to deliver.

So I cut out sugar and carbs and got on a low glycemic diet. I took this VERY seriously coz I know my son's life, and it is NOT easy; counting carbs for everything, checking his BS multiple times throughout the day.... Forget diet, diabetes is a life-style. 

I learned the OVER-PRODUCTION of insulin MAKES one fat and KEEPS one FAT. So this big body I now waddle around in is making so much it'll eventually exhaust itself from over-production, not make enough, and my blood sugar will SOAR. (go high)
Right now my blood sugar and A1C are aces. Gold Stars! But my lows are from the over-production and how I'm eating. It's a vicious cycle. So I have to be smart and am grateful to at least know there is something "fixable" in my life!

I do NOT have this because I suddenly ate myself or lazied myself into it. I got this from genetics, and we caught it early enough to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Type 2 Diabetes is genetic. I have friends heavier than myself, the same age, and not struggling with this issue. My Type 1 diabetic son has heavy friends who are not Type 1 OR 2.

Stereotypes 

• You CAUSED this.
• You could have AVOIDED THIS
• You need to EXERCISE
• LOSE weight
• This is YOUR FAULT

Who gets these stereotypes? EVERY type. 

Is it fair? 

Fair enough to tell me "watch what you eat and get off your @$$ a bit more."

NOT FAIR to tell my Type 1 diabetic son. He needs to eat well and exercise, of course. Don't we all? 

You think this possesses any CONTROL or VARIABLE over his condition? You are WRONG.

We don't do fried or fast food, and I hardly ever finish a soda. I even was Gluten Free for 2yrs to boost my immune system. I always thought I should eat as mindful as my son does. Well now it's even more than him, coz he can have carbs, he can have sugar, he can eat a cookie! I can't. 

My son takes insulin to cover what he is ingesting. He can have a burger and bun, I will go "protein style."

Does this make sense? I hope my journey has enlightened this whole prejudice and unawareness of some differences between type 1 and type 2.

I still have much more to learn, I have 3 months of metformin (Update: didn't take afterall, made me way too sick), and yet WITH dietary changes ALONE my range (should be 3-11) went from 18 (too high!) to 6! 

I will beat this and "reverse" all I can, my son cannot. 

That is the bitter difference when Type 1 people hear about Type 2 things and associations. 

What say you?

You want a DAD? 4 simple points to consider.

This is a very good question. If you don't know the answer, please consider the following:

1. Who wants this more? That's who will be handling the dog more.

Helpful Links: Your DAD is only as good as you are
 DADs 101 & TOP 5 reasons DADs turn into expensive pets

2. Have you exhausted all other options?

• Giving your life TIME to settle into the change this disease has brought
• Considering a CGM (Constant Glucose Monitor)
• Talking to a counselor regarding the fears and anxiety that you may have connected to this disease.
• Teamwork. How much a partnership do you have with your significant other? Do you have support in this decision?

Helpful Link: How diabetes and DADs connect

3. Do you already like dogs and all that goes along with them? 

• puppy bootcamp
• continued training (older dog)
• the fur/hair/grooming and vet costs associated with proper maintenance
• pet insurance
• cleaning up after, and caring for the dogs physical needs (exercise)
• acclimating them to current household pets

Helpful Link: DADs are dogs, too 

4. Have you "done your research?"

I've explained in detail (above link) how painstaking this advice is. What do you consider a reliable source? A stranger from social media with awesome pictures? A testimonial found on a news clip? A group of parents who have "been there done that" and seem to "know it all?" 

Please be your own best investigator and be smart about it. Do what makes sense, and be mindful that your fundraising efforts + donated money DO NOT = successful DAD. You need a contract, you need extensive discussions and references. You should not feel "owned" by any DAD organization or trainer; and you should not feel any "one way is THE way." (cult mentality is never good-lol)

6 months of research is nothing. Consider spending at least a year on this big and expensive decision. You owe the next 10yrs of this dog's life at least 1% of your time making sure you do it the best way for YOUR family!

Helpful Link: When pictures say 1,000 words, for the moment.

Still on board? Great. I have been told my blog info and education made a family choose NOT to get a DAD; and for that I am happy they took the time to consider all that is means. If you are "green light" ready to go, and not sure how to get started, here is How to Get a Dog. and HOW MUCH does a DAD cost...

Helpful Link: DAD experience survival tips

ps- If you care to know WTH we chose this route, please LOOK HERE. 

~ Blessings on your journey!

Why my son won't go to diabetes camp

This blog subject is not here to start a war, or to offend...In fact, it's just being written up because this perspective exists, and I care to share it with you.

I'm a "flip-side" thinking mom that appreciates a good, honest and factual debate. My son is a teenager who happens to have Type 1 diabetes, and is intelligent, independent and...well...he expected me to write this down so I love him for knowing me in this way.

Sean (my son) has been introduced to everything I ever wanted since his diagnosis.

1. A "mentor mom" (I lost her number, she called at a terrible time when I couldn't chat so there goes that).
2. A D.A.D (diabetic alert dog) and holy hell that process has been no picnic, but we are on the right track now Follow HERE
3. A medical ID bracelet he just got after 2.5yrs diagnosed (he actually likes and wears)
4. A "coffee night support group" with parents and teens in our community via JDRF (Um, he refuses to go with, but his dad and I went when diagnosed and really appreciated the experience).
5. A CGM (continuous glucose monitor); and I have LOST that war; it's not the hill to die on, so it's over. This also eliminates the excitement over the artificial pancreas because he refuses more needles/inserts...
6. The PUMP. Only a year after diagnosed, having met another boy at a party with T1, was he convinced it would be ok (old school syringes were his preferred method until then).
7. The D.O.C (diabetic online community). Which is MINE, ALL MINE. He hates Facebook, and yet knows his mama is straight addicted to networking and reading/commenting (because I am a free-lance writer). 

The 7th point right there ^^^ is my fav, and point of all this (if you are still following)... I don't involve him in the DOC because it is MY place to vent, read, learn, get lost in silly memes and find relief from all the stress of being a "caretaker." Sometimes I read something or see something so educational/funny, I share with my husband, or ask Sean about it...and recently this (what I initially thought hilarious) video surfaced. I was like, "Sean you gotta see this!" This ginger (we are a ginger family of 6) girl is making fun her experiences as a diabetic. It's comedic and clever. I appreciated it; Sean did not. He expressed his disapproval and that was that... so I thought. 

Tonight I entered Sean's room late to see if all was good as he has been running high late at night, and I want to square away his patterns (HA! you laughing?!) before he leaves for a Nike Elite Rugby training camp in a day. Sean went to correct his high number, noticed something on his pump, and asked, "Mom, can u do my site change (re-doing his pump insulin, etc) for me?"

UM, OK----KID MUST BE VULNERABLE. He has NEVER asked me this. I have changed maybe 3 sites in the past 6 months. (Shout out to all you parents who do it 24/7 for your young ones, xoxo).

As I got back to recalling how to do his medical equipment, Sean mentioned the video again remarking how he didn't know how people could find it so comedic to make fun of diabetes like that. I explained that sometimes comedy is a healing component...and then I fumbled up on his pump and reminded him, "I'm kinda messed up myself here (I have terrible auto-immune disease so I forget things easily, etc) and Sean cleverly said, "Now what if someone tried to make light of that." 

He captured my interest. I pried further and suddenly he was on a rant beyond belief!

He explained, "You know, it's like the girl in Monsters vs. Aliens who gets large, so they group her with monsters"... Kind of how the diabetic community just comes together, outside "the norm" of life.

I answered quickly, "It's comforting having a support system when you feel 'rare' and maybe even alone or misunderstood."

To which Sean went on to explain that "Ginormica" should have been placed right back into "normal humanity" as he put it, because it's what she wanted...

I saw where this was going and added, "You know how rare it is to be Type 1, let alone have a DAD coming alongside you...the support I've found is tight knit and special to me."

He answered, "But it feels like its own group, apart from whats normal, and I am normal I am NOT Sean "the type 1 diabetic" Booth. I am Sean Booth, and I want to be recognized as such.

This prompted me to ask, "Is this your problem with attending camps for diabetics?

He answered, "Kind of, I got a sneak preview to the place that one year, and didn't like the experience; but overall, I don't want a camp for diabetics, I want a camp. A regular camp."

A diabetes camp trip was point #8 actually, I just forgot to include it coz we had been to this very well-known California diabetes camp site in the mountains for a D.A.D conference 9 mo into diagnosis. We did not anticipate how poorly Sean does with altitude, and choose not to pay money for the mountains (again) overnight. We then found a white water rafting camp up further north in CA, but Sean hardly took interest after long.

Back to the conversation we were having, I mentioned how there are kids who keep their diabetes a secret; and he immediately responded about the mistake that can be. Sean explained how one's support system IS their friends. Not just one or two, but the whole group. He acknowledged, "If they don't all know this part of me, how can they help me? What if something happened to me? I need more than myself or one special friend, who may be absent that day, to call upon help if I need it."

I appreciated this so much and also asked him if he recalled making fun, (of doing blood sugar checks), by poking his finger & pretending the pencil he wrote with, caused him to bleed. He said, "It made it easier to share with those around me in class and make everyone comfortable with my needs."

Sean didn't quite get the connection I was trying to make by that recollection, because he still felt the harsh reminder of all the "downers" of diabetes. Videos, memes, humor, camps...it's all a part of this disease he'd rather not focus on. Sean feels it sets him apart, and he doesn't want to be set apart.

When I realized that angle of his, I couldn't have been more proud. I was in awe of this kid, my CHILD/teen, to whom I had made his disease my own, making decisions and desires to better help who...him? No, me. The desires of my heart FOR him were to better help ME. This kid is doing awesome on his own. And if I ever refer to him as "Sean, my type 1....son blah blah" so help me god you have permission to slap me.

I define for clarity; I define for purpose and desire for his disease to be recognized and education exist alongside the awareness of it's components. But overall, I want a cure; because that would bring back "normal" which is, what seems, my son has already embraced.

This is his normal. He wants me to notice and respect the seriousness of it, but then treat him no differently. WOW. This kid taught me something good tonight.

I don't expect you to agree, understand, or fix our situation...Maybe in some sense you can identify with it? That's my D.O.C family...understanding. And I thank you for listening...

Love to you all,
Mom to an amazing son

D.A.D experience/survival 101

If you're reading this, I hope it's to help someone else who is struggling or seeking this possibility out for their family. A LOT of people have excellent DAD experiences, so please take this with a grain of salt!

This is an industry with a learning curve; and in which things change, as our experiences, knowledge and networking change and assist us.

• Be a critic. You should be. There are too many scams out there. 
• Listen, but don't own something unless you are one degree away from it. There are too many rumors!
• Keep an open mind. One way is not THE WAY. Not in this industry.
• Pictures say 1,000 words, for the moment they are taken, and from whatever perspective desires to be conveyed through them.
• Think big picture. Tunnel vision has it's downfalls...
• Stay open to feedback, but in the end, know your way and move ahead in it with confidence.
• Keep your emotions in check. This is a life-threatening disease, so try to not hand over even a DOLLAR until  you see and sign a CONTRACT.
• Don't be offended by the truth when you read or hear it.
• Beware of the "D.A.D know it all's," -The ones who always have something to say...the ones who always refute what is said, the ones who have been burned, ripped off, "scammed"...

I only know that last one listed just now because I was one. I wanted to SHARE, educate, help with awareness. There's strength and a weakness in that... especially if I'm WRONG (sp? What's that word mean, exactly? -jk) 

Read from everyplace, but don't take any one perspective as gospel. Be smart, do what makes SENSE. 

How to not end up with an expensive pet click HERE

How do I avoid a scam? What is a scam, anyways? 

Your definition of a SCAM may be different than someone else's. 

 


Examples:

1. Your organization does not follow up training after giving you your dog... = "I got scammed."
2. You did not receive a contract ever, never, no where. = "I got scammed."
3. Through research you discover nothing really makes any dog trainer more "certified" than the next, and your DADs don't even require registration/certification, NOT EVEN THEIR VESTS!= "I got scammed."
4. You thought getting a DAD was a certain thing, come to experience it's another... = "I got scammed."

Let me reassure you, there are high functioning, quality organizations that have done ALL OF THE ABOVE, and continue producing DADs and happy clients. They are tooting their horn and have their happy clients singing their praises again and again all over social media.

The above from article "you have permission to get scammed" click HERE.

CONTRACT. If you didn't click the link above here it is again. You cannot control the outcome of your DAD experience through money. Giving money means NOTHING unless a contract that is signed by both parties states so. Otherwise, you are just an easy target for manipulative people. Getting smart after the fact doesn't accomplish much, so PROTECT yourself before you even begin. 

Have patience. I know you want a cure, but a dog is added management, that poops and eats and needs attention. No where close to a cure. Life saving? Maybe. Be careful of your expectations. Dogs are reliable but they miss moments, they make mistakes; just like we do. D.AD.s are dogs, too.

Above all, you must eventually be the dog trainer, as you will be the handler. Your DAD is only gonna be as good as you are.

My best to you. Keep me posted in comments!

Our diabetic alert dog is like a psychic meter; definitely not his pancreas.

If you expect a diabetic alert dog to be an organ, you're not getting it. I expect readers here to at least realize that much...a diabetic alert dog is a TOOL for your health, not a replacement.

Most of us expect the technology to rule above all else (common sense)...even the dog.

Dogs are reliable. They are sensitive, and alert-capable once trained. They WILL miss alerts, but over-all, I've come to find that the RIGHT dog, will not miss less than 85-95% of blood sugar out of range moments...

In my humble opinion, I think that how we train these dogs, and what we are looking for, MATTERS.

My son's trainer is married. Her partner is not diabetic, but suffers a pancreatic disorder that causes her to suffer low blood sugar moments; therefore, our D.A.D (diabetic alert dog) has "real time" moments in the home he is training at.

The trainer and I had a significant conversation recently. It included the fact that most DAD trainers don't reward until under 80. Even dogs I/we know of that aren't "rewarded" until under 80, are clearly stir-crazy until...

Diabetes doesn't "self-correct." So we must consider, in all logic, that since dogs are NOT truly hypoglycemic aware, and ONLY alert to the "x-factor", (thank you Debby Kay), that is within the rise and fall of normal range; THAT is where the reward should never fail and keep on!

It wasn't until our fourth visit or so, that it hit me. My son's DAD alerted ME to a low B.S. (blood sugar) of 58. I am not diabetic, but I suffer hypoglycemia. I have a meter, just like my son. So I took my BS 5-6 times as if it were a pregnancy test; I couldn't believe it! One out of the 6 times I checked was completely messed up. It put me in range though I wasn't.

Sometimes when my son tests significantly out of range, we have him test AGAIN. And I recently calibrated our son's meter (with liquid given with the technology to help it perform accurately).

Overall, I believe his D.A.D is his "natural" meter. This little guy FLINT knows the FALL, not the number. He knows when Sean is going lower and declining, which is what matters to us.

Sean can't play rugby under 130 and "Flint," his D.A.D, alerts under 100. Some of the best DAD's we've trained with and from other organizations, alert under the "100" number. There's something to it...

How do you feel about all this? Comment below!

Open letter to USA Rugby 7's - & Matt Hawkins

Jan 2012, just 2 weeks before diagnosed. With USA Eagles Cap Matt "Polar Bear" Hawkins (rt) and Nick Edwards (middle) and Garrett Bender (left)

March 2014

Dear Team,
In August 2011, our thriving oldest son, Sean, was beginning his first season of American football. He trained 2hrs a night and lost some significant weight. He was thirsty every night before bed, and we attributed it to his 7-9pm practice. Early November, he complained of some vision problems, headaches and nausea. Thinking there may be a concussion from a practice hit, doctors ran a CAT scan and Sean ended up with an emergency appendectomy. Later that month, football ended, and we were introduced to our local rugby club that had just started up. My parents and our best friends in Wales and England are HUGE fans, so we joined and have never looked back! Sean continued losing weight, (23 lbs total), and by January of 2012 we were at the Olympic Training Center for that freezing downpour tournament that couldn't have been more fun! Sean hadn't suffered his asthma problems in years, but at that tournament, he pulled himself out of a second half saying he was having trouble breathing; which we assumed was an asthma flare up. He caught his breath and wanted back in and took a cleat to the neck that delayed him getting to his next game on time. Which was a blessing, because we ran into you! Our Temecula Lions Rugby Club made it to the semi-finals! We lost, but we gained the passion for the sport for seasons to come.

The U10 Temecula Lions first visit to OTC
(Sean is far back left with "peace" brother Bryan far right)

Two weeks later, Sean looked really bad after his next game. He fell asleep right after, and was hard to wake up. He could not longer keep food down, even in small amounts. I took him to an Urgent Care doctor and said, "I know this sounds crazy, but here are all the weird symptoms these past months, and....I think he's dying."
Sean was in bad shape. He was in organ failure (Diabetic Keto-Acidosis) and rushed to ICU for 2 days and spent the rest of the week in the hospital. There is a test that can tell the body over the past 90 days what its blood sugar average was. For a non-diabetic, it's under 5.6. For Sean, he was 14.5 and it was a real "Twighlight Zone" kind of week. What is type 1 diabetes? How did he get it? Will it go away...?

1.5yrs after diagnosed, they met again-

Sean on pump now and MUCH healthier!

These were constant questions on our minds. We discovered Type 1 is an auto-immune disease that neither diet nor exercise caused or can cure him from suffering. He tested positive for it genetically, and auto-immune-wise; yet some environmental trigger (like a virus) caused it. It's forever. He will be on artificial insulin, to be pumped into his body by a needle or machine on an hourly basis, or he will die. It's life-support. The problem is, the very thing that helps Sean can harm him. The part of the pancreas that produces insulin naturally for non-diabetics, releases blood sugar in the body naturally, in the proper amount. For Sean, it's all calculations based on what he is eating; and if he is going to play rugby...And, well, going back to rugby was a whole new nightmare.

By summer 7's, 2012, Sean's return to rugby got complicated. His blood sugar dropped consistently. School started in the fall, and he dropped and nearly collapsed on campus. We discovered PE was a danger NO MATTER how many carbs he had beforehand, after, etc. We also trouble-shot and found Sean drops during math (coz he's like insane math-savvy and does it all in his head). We made adjustments. His Endocrinologist wrote him out of PE and yet "not doing rugby" was not an option for Sean.

Sean's youngest U10 brother (redhead in middle row)
 and sister, who played U8!

The normal range for Sean is 90-150. If he is under 70 he may get weak, seize, pass out or die (at zero). If Sean is not at least 130+, he cannot play. Once he begins playing, his adrenaline from the aggression sends his blood sugar soaring into the high 200's to 300's. When diagnosed, Sean was over 600, we aren't sure how high, since the machine couldn't read it.

Sean's brother and best friend, Bryan, also
 plays hooker and shares concern for Sean's
health management on and off the field.
Pictured with Eagles Manager
and former prop Tom Wagner

Temecula Rugby Club is our second family and was patient and accomodating during Sean's return to "normal," Once an ambulance came to a game; we had drama. Once at a practice, it came for someone else, and as I hurried from my car, parents shouted, "It's NOT Sean!" That was our first season back. We had to learn a LOT about being an athlete with Type 1 diabetes. Now he's doing GREAT. He's got a system for food, what to eat carb/protein-wise and how to quickly "carb up" with liquids like gatorade in order play, as he is a starting hooker. Sean's only challenges have been breaking bones easily. He's had over 11 boxer's fractures or finger's while playing, since being diagnosed. His Ortho now just puts him in a brace for a few weeks, as his pain tolerance is such that he won't tell me until AFTER a game is over that be broke something in the first half! 

That's Sean; a fighter. A kid who won't let this disease dictate his dreams and goals. It is uncontrollable enough at times, it does not help to get viral infections, suffer any kind of injury, since blood sugar is connected to more than just food. It goes crazy with excitement, stress, anticipation, etc. It's something I am very proud to say that my (now) teen son manages beautifully.

Sean has had two very frightening low in the past 2 years. It happened just days after we were back, full circle at the Olympic Training Center again this past weekend. He did not realize he got to 27 and we were told he may seize or pass out in the 20's or below. Sean carries an emergency glucagon (sugar) shot on his person, 24/7 just for this type of moment. He did not suffer in any major way as this occurred. In fact, he said he felt his adrenaline kick in (which he knows from playing). So he checked. Afterward, he complained of a headache and exhaustion.
This past April, 2015, Sean collapsed in my arms and seized, then lay completely lifeless. This recovery took a lot longer but he is back to rugby this winter, even training with the pathway to High School All Americans; Eagle Impact Rugby Academy.

The constant inspiration our whole family experiences with this sport is undeniable. Rugby has brought us all together more, and makes us support one another in more ways than we are used to. It's a nice break from the stress and management from daily/hourly diabetes awareness. When Sean plays, he is FREE. He is not connected to anything. No tubes, no concern on anything but the game and doing his best. It's a joy to watch him thrive again and we thank you for always being so gracious and remembering who he is when we run into one another. It's done wonders for his spirit. He hopes to make a mark on this world, and show others that he is able to follow his dream despite Type 1 Juvenile diabetes.

Thank you Eagles, for being a soaring inspiration to Sean, and for checking on him and talking to him when we run into one another at rugby events.

Sincerely,
Booth-Rugger Clan

Sean now into his 3rd season! He gets to take his pump off to play every game, and I think he loves that, honestly. And yes, he is beast.

UPDATE! This summer at Serevi camp in Encinitas, CA Sean finally introduced his service dog to Matt

Proud parents at Cal State games 2014

2016 at Eagle Impact Rugby Academy training, Jan 31, on the 4th anniversary of his diagnosis, Sean is trained by Garrett Bender of the Eagles from very first picture above. And AGAIN, it was pouring rain! No pic available but here is Sean (U16) in his American Scrum cap.

Kim Wassan Photo

DADs for Dummies takes a look in the mirror

I have been writing for some time, without even owning a DAD. WHAT?! Oh yes. I speak of what I do not know...until now.

From 2012 until now I hoped my writing efforts would allow the "noob" (newcomer in gamer terms) grasp the ideas surrounding what this whole things looks like, from a "getting committed" standpoint.

I also wanted to find organizations outside ones we had experienced personally, because we had been with a well- known CA organization for nearly a year. Committed, fully funded. We then worked with a service dog organization that allowed our Type 1 teenager, Sean, to handle over a dozen of their dogs, learning valuable skills that would translate into his own experience someday.

What is unique about our situation is that we have an adolescent who was diagnosed at 11; he went from a "kid" to a "mini-adult" within that first year of diagnosis. Because we lost our family's best friend a month later to Type 1 complications, we gave a lot of the responsibility back to Sean. He did his own shots before leaving the hospital, and has carried his bag of supplies, since. We know first hand what DKA, (diabetic keto-acidosis from high blood sugar levels), coma and death look like, so we wanted him to take as much appropriate responsibility for his own life.  

This mentality translated into our son's DAD experience, too. Since Sean was told not to bond or get attached to any dogs with one org, (although we were around their dogs at various events), he did just that. The idea of a certain dog may have been nice, but since he had none, I'd guess there might have been a perceived "lack of interest" from Sean. The same perspective might have also carried over, regarding my level of desired participation. (These are just my humble opinions looking back). 

We wanted this to be HIS dog, HIS desire, and HIS responsibility. We have reasonable expectations on our kids. We had them close together, and I am disabled myself, so there is a lot of personal responsibility in our home. We are the parents, 24/7, and are preparing our kids to fly from the nest someday. I had already done the math... Sean had 5 years until he would leave home. That's nothing. His disease management + DAD had to be off to a good start...

The dog handling classes Sean took with our last organization were priceless. He/we were all given "Service Dog 101" knowledge. These are the words/commands to use- and why... It was eye-opening and we learned more in 5-6mo/2 nights a month than imagined. Now we really knew what this was going to look like.

The key piece missing now was bond. Sean had not enjoyed the immense shedding from labradors. The level of hair to manage was new to us, since we have a Yorkie at home, and had a labradoodle at one time, as well. Sean and our labradoodle had an amazing bond. We (really me) thought a hypoallergenic DAD would be a great solution to this, and my "mommy-(thinks she)- knows-best, mentality got in the way of Sean's Journey. (Even tho when 11 he SAID had wanted a "fluffy" as he called it- he he).

It all came to a stop when we realized our son really had no interested in a curly-haired poodle named Brulee. He was going on 14 within the year, already thinking ahead to High School, and picturing the rugby field with his team mates. Though this cutie pie dog was a definite chick-magnet and soon to be his, we decided it best to go back to the drawing board. There was too much at stake. Thousands of dollars (as much as a new vehicle), friends and family waiting on us...We had another "sit down" and realized our son needed the dog he was going to fall in love with. He needed to name it. He needed to choose it. He is his own man now, and this was his journey, after-all.

Finally this month we are "Ready to Fly!" Our DAD has been home with us 2 weeks for bonding, and goes on to live with a professional DAD trainer soon. Just in these few weeks the bond between Sean and "Flint" is undeniable. We have all come alongside our son, assisting him when needed with Flint; but he is all over it this round. It may have been a long and dramatic road to travel to get us to "just a puppy" but it is what needed to happen for Sean, as this is all about him, and what was going to work best for our family.

The Facebook "DAD world" is a wonderful place to network and find good advice. It is also a terrible place sometimes, and may be severely catty if/when you got a bulls-eye on your back. Now that we are finally "in the thick of it" I've promised to put the focus back on Sean and his dog. Coz I'm mom, afterall. I will miss what I perceived as being helpful to this community online, and apologize for my lack of a proper goodbye in some of my own groups. 

I do love to share and write, so I have launched followingflint.com for those in our lives who have truly partnered in spirit with us. I will keep writing here, at times, so please "follow" this blog, or check in as often as you want! It's not about me, it's about you, it's about Sean... it's about our Type 1 community and these dogs. 

Blessings~

Anna Booth

(mom, wife, writer and homeschooler of the most amazing 4 gingers I know)
Interested in a Diabetic Alert Dog? please check out this link on "How to Get a Dog"

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