Special Sibs of a D-Kid Day Day 28

 As you know it's Diabetes Awareness Month.

 

November also happens to have the anniversary of Kortnie's diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes.

 

It's also the month of my oldest daughter, Anastasia's birthday.

 

An appropriate end to the month is Special Sibs of a D-Kid Day, which is today.  Today is the day we recognize and celebrate the siblings of a D-Kid.  I've said it before that this illness is a family affair.  It takes all of us to support Kortnie and be there for her. 

 

Sometimes when Kortnie's blood sugar is too high, we have to delay or cancel a treat or dessert, not only does Kortnie have to go without, but most times the other kids go without too. 

 

Sometimes when Kortnie is too low, we have to stop and treat and rest, a lot of times that means the other kids have to stop too.

 

Is it fair?  I don't know.  What I do know is that there is hardly ever any complaining.  We get the "diabetes sucks" or "diabetes is no fun" comments every now and then, but Kortnie never gets blamed. 

 

Anastasia and Graham have taken this journey right alongside us.  They know what to do in a Low or High situation, they know how to check blood sugars, Anastasia knows what the different numbers on the meter mean.  They just take it all in stride. 

 

They are who they are, they love their sister, we love them, all of them.  We are a family and we do it together.

 

Getting ready to Zumba for a Cure, we participated in a Zumbathon to raise money for JDRF back in February, as always we do it together, Stasia and Kortnie Zumba'd their bums off, what a fun day.

Last Christmas, Kortnie was sick on the day of her school's Christmas program, her blood sugar was high, she had ketones, she was tired, she was BUMMED out that she was missing her program, especially since she was a 50's dancer.  We missed the morning performance, but by the afternoon performance she was feeling just a little better and she really wanted to go perform.  I took her in and let her perform, even though I could tell she was still feeling pretty yucky.  She was so happy that I took her to perform, and her little brother was happy to watch her and to support her.  He loves her so much.

Big sister always loves going to the JDRF Walk, it's important to her to help us fund raise and raise awareness.

Kortnie's 3 year D-aversary, Graham and Stasia think Diabetes sucks too, so they had to get in on the picture taking action.

They always support and love their sister unconditionally, especially if it means celebrating Kork's D-Aversary with ice cream cones!

This summer Kortnie went to her first year of D-camp, she and Graham are exactly 3 years apart in age.  He was only 2 when she was dx'd, he does not remember a time when she didn't have T1D and he has never been away from her for more than an overnight trip to Grandma's. She was gone a whole week from him and he was chomping at the bit to go pick her up, he was so excited to get her from camp, can you tell by their smiles here?  I love that they love each other so much.


Today, no matter who you are, whether or not you have Diabetes or some other kind of illness or challenge in your life, think about your siblings, think about how much they support and love you.  Tell them thanks, tell them that you love them, tell them that you support them too.