The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Students rally around classmate with diabetes
During morning program on May 5, Durhamville Elementary students learned about diabetes. A presenter educated us on Type 1and Type 2 Diabetes.
DURHAMVILLE » During morning program on Friday, May 5, Durhamville Elementary students learned about diabetes.
Katie, a presenter from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, educated us on Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Did you know that our pancreas produces insulin? Type 1 diabetes occurs if the pancreas does not produce insulin. Diabetics with Type 1 diabetes may have a blood sugar level that is too high or low. Then, Type 1 Diabetics need to add insulin to their blood stream. The insulin can be a shot or administered through a pump. Diabetes is not contagious and it is not from diet. Diabetes never goes away. Type 2 Diabetes is when the body makes insulin but the body can’t use it.
One of our fifth grade students, Maura, at Durhamville Elementary has Type 1 diabetes. We are doing a walk at school to raise money for Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. The real walk was in September the week of the 19th. Maura shared how she enjoyed doing the walk because her family members came to support her. “A ton of people with different colored T-shirts on support the walk,” Maura says. “Our team’s name is Maura’s Miracles. In one corner is my handprint and two footprints on each side walking up to the symbol or sign of Maura’s Miracles. It was hard work (5K). I was sweating afterwards. Next year I am wearing my roller blades.”
“Being a fifth grader with diabetes is hard,” Maura says. “You have to poke yourself many times a day. It is harder to do things that your friends can do. You have to remember a lot and you have to teach people about diabetes that is sometimes hard. Your pump makes a lot of weird noises in the middle of class which makes you feel like a ‘ weirdo’ and I don’t like people staring at me. Sometimes when people are unfamiliar with diabetes people ask questions. Like, can you eat that? What is that thing hanging out of that pouch? What is that bag? Is there a certain way you have to do that? I personally have to keep going to the nurse’s office before and after lunch and gym. If people approach me and they want to ask a question, I think they should do it as if there is nothing wrong with me, but they are just curious. I just want to be normal even though there is no such thing as normal. Also, I don’t heal as fast as others. So, please keep your germs to yourself. Thank you!”
Maura shares, “My goal in life is to write a book about my life to help other children who have it and for others to read because they want to learn about it so they can help people in need. I want to get good grades, go to a nice college, and get a roof over my head. Everybody is weird in their own special way!”
Durhamville Elementary students are taking donations for JDRF and planned our own walk to cure diabetes on Friday, May 19. Diabetes never goes away but we hope the continued research will make a difference.
“My goal in life is to write a book aboutmy life to help other children whohave it andfor others to read because they want to learnabout it so they can help people in need.”
— Maura, fifth grade student