I've just cried in front of ds's teachers.

[Spidermama]

I was sitting in a meeting room with his two teachers, a teaching assistant and the diabetic nurse who had come to explain to the teachers how they might be called upon to help ds in certain scenarios.

I was a bit wobbly from the outset, and midway through the meeting I had tears rolling down my cheeks.

They were very nice, but that made me worse.

Fairyjay, which is the v successful young actor with a cleft lip? Actually there are at least two - one a Hollywood heart throb. Don't know if that would help at all. Racking my brains.

In good moments I'm aware of the positive sides to my son's condition. This would also apply to your sons blu and fairyjay and your daughter Sue W.

I know quite a few grown up people who either have disabilities or have had serious illnesses and there's something about them, they share a strength of character and generosity. I've been humbled and inspired by their lack of ego.

Perhaps I'm generalising but this has been my experience.

SueW I will be thinking about you and your dd in the week. My ds drew some great pictures in hospital. I wish you the best and look forward to hearing from you at the other side. xx

BTW my son went back to a friend's for tea today and did his own injection and blood tests with his mate watching. He's been building up to this. He has had late nights crying because he was scared he wouldn't be able to and yet was determined to do it. One small step, one giant leap etc.

Spidermama, that's fantastic news about your son doing his injections and blood tests What a STAR!

Silverbirch, my ds complains about the injections. He says they hurt and he can't imagine ever feeling any different. Do you know, does the pain side get better or is it more about the attutude to the pain maturing?

Thanks SueW.

This whole thread has made me cry - and none of the children on here are mine...spidermama, Blu, Bethron, fairyjay, SueW Of course you cried, spidermama. It's so much to take in and come to terms with.

just noticed this thread. Spidermama when my kids had blood tests (for allergies) they had "magic cream" which is a local anaesthetic. Perhaps your son could have a tube for his injections? I think there is also a spray but the cream is supposed to be more effective. I don't know if it can be prescribed by gps but you have nothing to lose by asking. It doesn't seem to have much effect on mine but other kids say it helps.

I was tearful too when first talking to teachers about the adrenaline injections. It does become easier with time.

jus done a search on the doctors prescribing website and it says the creams shouldn't normally be used for more than 3 days I don't know why )but maybe he could still have a tube and use it occasionally?

When we first got a diagnosis I found it a great help to talk to other people in the same boat and also got some practical advice that was very helpful. If you haven't already heard of it you may want to look at this support group

"ChildrenWithDiabetes.com is a US-based site designed to promote understanding of the care and treatment of diabetes, especially in children.

The site includes an email support group for UK parents of children with diabetes, accessible via the website. For more information on the UK group, contact the list manager Jackie Jacombs on Email [email protected]"

Bethron, I have epilepsy (it was the shock of suddenly developing it at age 28 with no obvious reason that made me cry in front of my boss). If I can be any help, do ask.

It's obviously different as I didn't have it as a child, but it may be reassuring to know that I hold down a successful/demanding career, have a gorgeous ds who is absolutely fine and no-one ever knows about the epilepsy unless I choose to tell them.

HTH

HTH

Spidermama - that's SO heart-swelling - him doing hs own injections away from home.
Fantastic boy!
SueW - very much thinking of you this week.

Spidermama thats great about ds doing his own injection. Well done to him!!

My friend would be very happy to talk to you. Her name is Sandra and you can e-mail her on shannie at otenet dot gr

This thread is making me feel like crying, love to all the children mentioned here.

SueW, I wish you and your brave dd the best of luck for next week and will be thinking of you both xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Away for w/e - just catching up -

Aloha - I don't know of any 'famous clefts' other than Stacey Keach (?). Am interested though!

SueW - Thinking of you all this week.

Spiderama - Congrats to your ds - and well done you, for giving him the confidence and support he needed.

Have a good week everyone!

Aloha

Were you thinking of Joaquin Phoenix - he's actually the brother of River Pheonix (who died)?

I always thought Joaquin Phoenix has the scar in the right place for a cleft lip, it might just be a childhood scar though.

(eefs - mum to a 2yr Cleft baby who is showing signs of big speech issues )

Sorry to hear that eefs. Presumably the cleft and the speech problems are related then? Two is very young still.

eefs -

I didn't know that Joaquin Phoenix had a cleft, but he does - noted in his biography as a 'birth scar', which I thought was interesting.

My ds is 13, and was born with a uclp, so we've been thru' lots of the speech/hearing issues.

eefs - i have lost your e mail...do you still have mine? Otherwise i will CAT you.

Spidermama, how are you?

Hi Blu. Fine thanks.
DS is alarmingly foward with adjusting to his condition. This evening he went off and did his injection in a room on his own. I'm torn between being pleased he's so hands-on, so keen to take control, and worried that he's only five and may yet get it wrong. (The dose etc). He's been doing it perfectly well when I've been around so ...
I'm very proud of him.

Spidermama,
I don?t remember my brother being worried about the injections hurting ? I can?t say whether it did, only that it was never commented on. I think it probably helped that my father always had injections and when we were small children it was very much part of life. I can?t remember the details now but I do remember my brother going on a holiday or a weekend organised by the (then) british diabetic association with other diabetic children and it did help him to realise he was not alone. It sounds like your son is coping brilliantly.