Jack was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on Monday, August 4, 2008 at 5 years of
age. He and I had just spent the weekend up with the Vance family (not our blood
family, but family by choice) in Green Bay, WI. Over the course of that weekend,
Jack was constantly using the bathroom - which was very atypical of him. By 3:00
am I'd convinced myself that something was seriously wrong with Jack and was
emailing his pediatrician about all sorts of possibilities.
It wasn't until Sunday, August 3 that I discovered the connection between frequent
urination and Type 1 diabetes. So, when I took Jack to the doctor's office on
Monday morning, I was floored by the diagnosis, but not necessarily surprised.
Jack, his Dad and I were sent to Children's Hospital of Milwaukee the next day and
spent weeks trying to accept the huge change our lives had taken. Never had I felt
such a sense of utter fear and helplessness.
The silver lining for us is that Jack is an amazing little boy - he is so full of life and
embraces everything, whether its good or bad, with a very laid back 'it is what it is'
kind of attitude. So, although he was facing having to deal with at least daily 10
blood sugar checks and multiple shots, once he got over the initial fear of the
needle, Jack just rolled with it, and has continued to do so for the past 3 years. He
plays soccer, basketball, and baseball and is often the one to include others on the
playground at school. He is absolutely, without question, the light of my life. He
has taught me to be to be a better Mom and for that I will always be grateful.
Earlier this year, when his friend, Sophia Veit, was diagnosed with Type 1, his first
words were 'Oh, no, Mom, not Sophia'. His empathy and compassion are amazing for
an 8 yr. old, and he takes his role of being a 'helper' to Sophia very seriously.
He talks very frankly about WHEN there is a cure for diabetes. My wish for Jack
(and Sophia, and every other Type 1 diabetic) is that they can lead a healthy and
normal life - with the reality of a cure just around the corner.
- Molly Lofquist Johnson
(Mom to the most amazing kid in the world - yes, I'm a bit biased)
