Yesterday my daughter Gillian decided to wear this shirt to school.

When we did the ADA walk last November, I made shirts with different sayings on them and Gillian’s says, “My Dad is #1” but right under the number sign there is the word “type” in very small letters.

When I got home and saw that she had been wearing it all day I asked her, “What made you want to wear that today?”


“I dunno, I just wanted to. A lot of kids asked about it and I told them all about diabetes.” She was so proud.

“Well what did you say?” (READ MORE)

"Dad, am I going to get diabetes?"

This was the part I was dreading. I knew this question was going to come up but how do I respond? Do I tell her about my fears. How I do not know how I could live with myself if you had this terrible disease? Do I mention the fear she may have to live with for the rest of her life? Should I mention how she may not but her future kids could get it? How should I respond? (READ MORE)

Being a dad has lots of challenges. Heck, being a parent is the best but scariest job you can have! But having diabetes and being a parent has its own unique challenges.

I find that when my kids witness a low or any complication with my disease I end up feeling guilty. Why should they have to worry about their father at such a young age? They have enough to worry about. I hate it.

One evening my kids started asking lots of questions about diabetes and of course, I am always willing to talk to them about anything they are questioning. My son asked, "Are we going to get diabetes?" (READ MORE)