I picked the absolute worst possible evening to work the snack stand for the baseball league Charlie plays in. Hottest day of the year. 100 degrees. Inside the little snack hut, hot lamps blazed down on the French fries, dogs sizzled on a chrome roller grill and vats of hot oil percolated. It was freaking hot in there is what I'm saying!
A teenage boy sat on a stool in the far corner of the snack stand with an industrial-sized fan positioned just on himself. I gazed at him from across the room with a "seriously?" scowl on my face and a single drop of sweat falling from my cheek like a tear.
"I'm just gonna grab one of these Gatorades if that's OK," I said.
I placed the blue Gatorade on my forehead.
"Sure is hot!"
The boy just nodded, the high-powered wind tossing his hair like a frontman in an 80s metal band.
I got the lay of the land, learned how many squirts of flavored goo went into making a slushee and soon business was poppin'.
I couldn't believe the volume of crap some of these kids were consuming. With mouths still freshly stained green from lemon-lime slushees, back they came to my window seeking more garbage.
"Hey bud. Back so soon? What can I get you?"
"Cheese fries? You got it."
"And a Skittles? OK. $2.50."
The fries we were doling out were in massive containers. When I handed these bushels of fries to the kids, I couldn't help thinking - my god, even a quarter of what we were serving would destroy Charlie. It was easily 115 carbohydrates of thick, greasy fries. We would be talking emergency room for sure.
Having a child with diabetes, it's just mind-blowing to me to see these kids return for more with their perfectly pristine pancreases working overtime - churning out insulin like it's nuthin'. No serious side effects from snacking like Charlie would have for hours upon hours. No mother or father hovering nearby, pleading that they just go with sunflower seeds.
I wonder if they know how lucky they are. I wonder if the parents know how lucky they are. I wonder if I need to take my shirt off and wring my sopping wet sweat into a large puddle before the boy realizes I might want to share the fan.
I think even without diabetes, I would not let my kids eat half the crap that is served at carnivals, fairs etc. Although a deep fried oreo was tempting us last weekend....
They do not know.
The pharmacy said it was too soon to renew Alex's pen needle perscription. I told the pharmicist my insurance company said they would never refuse to refill syringes or pen needles for a type 1 diabetic. He said, "Does he use more than one a day?" I said, "He needs insulin every time he eats! He's 10." Incredible!
On a happy note, I found a snow cone maker at target with three big bottles of SUGAR FREE (CARB FREE) syrup. All for $25.00. I think I would have paid $50.00. Alex will be thrilled when I give it to him this weekend. I don't think he's ever had a snow cone. :>>>
The pharmacy said it was too soon to renew Alex's pen needle perscription.Thank you for post. body vests