This is a guest post by Lorraine Sisto, author of the blog This is Caleb.
When my son's principal and I discussed holding a school spirit day to recognize World Diabetes Day, I imagined it coming and going like other ones – rather uneventfully. I am happy to say that was not the case.
When my son's principal and I discussed holding a school spirit day to recognize World Diabetes Day, I imagined it coming and going like other ones – rather uneventfully. I am happy to say that was not the case.
Our plan was to ask students and staff to wear blue and
donate a dollar to support a cure for type 1 diabetes. My son, Caleb, is living with diabetes, and the hope was to increase awareness. Simple enough.
It turned into so much more than that. I was able to personally draft a
message to explain what World Diabetes Day is and a little about what living
with diabetes is like. Caleb was
invited to announce the event over the loudspeaker in the principal’s
office. He was asked to count the
dollars that were collected. He
was given the privilege of announcing the fundraising results and his thanks.The impact was palpable. Every staff member was donned in blue, several from head to
toe. Most students were dressed in
blue. I saw several that know and
are friends with Caleb and I smiled knowing they did this for him, because they
care for him. I saw children who
Caleb does not know and I thought they did this simply because they were asked
to, and maybe they now know a little bit more about diabetes. Or maybe they have a loved one living
with diabetes and they did it in honor of them. In any case, there was a sea of blue swarming through
Caleb’s school and it made us feel good.
It was unifying.
During the day, Caleb followed his normal routine and he had
blood sugars that were less than cooperative. The school nurse commented how he couldn’t even catch a break on
his special day. She too, however,
has come to realize that diabetes does not give any breaks. She followed her empathetic statement
with, “well that’s just diabetes, isn’t it?” Yes it is.
What Caleb will remember though, is not the less than
perfect blood sugar readings. He
will remember being special for a day.
He told me his favorite part was making the announcements to everyone at school. He proudly listed all the teachers who now know
him and call him by name. He will
remember his friends who wore blue and gave dollars to show their respect for him and all people
living with diabetes.
The day was a great success. I am grateful to all those who took part in it and who
support Caleb at school every day in such a caring way.
We are already planning how to build upon this event for
next year.
Lorraine
Sisto is mother of three children including Caleb who was diagnosed
with type one diabetes in January 2007. She blogs at "This is
Caleb...". You can follow Lorraine on Twitter @Colcalli
Lorriane-
I'm not sure if anyone has told you this lately but you are an awesome mother! I can't wait to see pictures from the event. I know Caleb held his head high:)
Lorraine,
It was such a SPECIAL day for Caleb! When he was counting the money donations his eyes lit up and a wonderful smile was on his face when he counted past $100.00 and then when he said $223.00 over the intercom he beamed.
WOW!!! We look forward to next year and supporting Caleb and JDRF.
Mrs. Bacon, Principal of KSP
My kindergarten aged daughter thought the day was so awesome that she said she wished SHE had diabetes. (She changed her mind after her big sister told her she'd have to get a lot of shots) My 4th grade daughter wanted a piece of the b-day cake you made for the dr who created insulin (sorry, name escapes me). Hmmm, we're still waiting for that cake!
Erin - KSP mom
His friends really do care Lorraine! It is usually an exhausting activity to get Ava dressed in the morning. On Friday morning, however, Ava woke up around 6:30 am and the first thing she did was pick out an outfit. She made sure she was wearing her best blue shirt! It was wonderful to see the school come together in support of diabetes awareness and for many of the kids they were supporting their friend too!
-Aline