Reid Batton is 9 years old. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his friends. He loves sports. He plays dodge ball, basketball and football, but his favorite is hockey.

Although he’d rather be skating, he is an “A” student at school. His favorite subjects are math and social studies.

Reid is a normal, healthy fourth-grader—with type 1 diabetes.

An unexpected diagnosis In 2004, around Thanksgiving, Reid suffered from a bout of pneumonia. His pediatrician prescribed steroids to help him fight the infection. “I noticed that he was eating a lot more and drinking all the time, but I knew that those were common side effects of steroids, so I didn’t think much about it,” says Reid’s mother, Kathy. But Reid’s excessive hunger and thirst persisted, even after he finished the prescription. One evening, while Reid was changing his clothes to prepare for bed, Kathy walked into his room. “I called my husband right away,” she says. “With his shirt off, you could see how much Reid’s body had changed. I could see all of his ribs. That night, I lay awake and listened to the number of times he got up to use the bathroom.”

“I was really scared at first,” says Reid. “Now that I understand what diabetes is, I’m not so scared.”

Between midnight and 2 a.m., Reid had awakened at least 11 times.

At work the next day, Kathy shared her concerns with co-workers. When one suggested diabetes, Kathy immediately referred to information on the Internet. The next afternoon, Reid had an appointment with Christophe Diasio, M.D. a pediatrician with Sandhills Pediatrics, who tested his blood sugar and immediately sent the family to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

Reid’s blood sugar was over 500. After other possibilities were ruled out, Reid was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, what used to be commonly called “insulin-dependent” or “juvenile-onset” diabetes.

“It was a complete surprise to all of us,” says Kathy. “No one in the family had ever had diabetes, and Reid had always been extremely healthy.”

Looking back, Kathy admits, “I didn’t realize how the diabetes was really affecting Reid until we got it under control. He had been frustrated in school, and his behavior at home was often strange with arguing and crying for what seemed like no reason.”

According to the National Institute of Health, about 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year. More than 13,000 are children. a session if the patient or parents think

“Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age,” says Shamsul Khan, M.D., of Richmond Pediatrics. “It is diagnosed from infancy through the 30s—most commonly from around age 9 through the teen years.”

Why me?
“Scientists have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of diabetes,” says Dr. Diasio “It is believed that there are genetic and environmental factors that predispose individuals to certain types of the disease. Type 1 is usually the result of an autoimmune disorder.”

It’s perfectly normal for newly diagnosed patients to feel shocked, overwhelmed, depressed or angry.

“When I work with patients in the hospital, they are usually in a state of disbelief,” says Gladys Suggs, R.N., a pediatric nurse at Moore Regional Hospital. “The diagnosis is a surprise. The symptoms are so similar to other health issues that they have gone unrecognized for a period of time. The most immediate need is to stablilize the child. Then we begin working with the entire family.”

“The child has to accept that diabetes is not a punishment for something they did wrong,” says Suggs, who was Reid Batton’s nurse when he was in the hospital following his diagnosis. “It’s not fair, and it’s not fun, but there are things we can do to help them feel better and manage the disease.”

“We encouraged Reid to express his anger,” says Kathy Batton. “In the beginning, when you are trying to deal with the injections and the food choices and setting limits, it is hard, very hard. When you are a child, it’s not easy to be different.”

“I was really scared at first,” says Reid. “Now that I understand what diabetes is, I’m not so scared. I still don’t like a lot of people to know about it. It’s hard watching everyone else eat cake or ice cream at parties and knowing that I have to be so careful.”

If I were in charge of the world, I’d cancel money, diabetes and also cancer and also taxes. If I were in charge of the world, there would be a hockey team for every city and town on TV, 700 channels with nothing but sports and there would be a holographic person to bring you anything you want. If I were in charge of the world, there would not be homework, school and baseball and guns. If I were in charge of the world, I’d cancel having to be 16 to drive, speed limits, cops and also insulin shots. If I were in charge of the world, there would be a hockey team for all ages for every town, the same for football and basketball. —By Reid Batton

Like a three-ring circus
Any parent will tell you that raising children can sometimes feel like living in a circus tent. When it comes to a family managing juvenile diabetes, juggling and tight rope walking are daily events. Monitoring blood sugar, adjusting insulin, eating healthy foods throughout the day and getting enough, but not too much, exercise requires diligence, patience and, above all, adequate education.

Consistency is the key—regular meals, regular exercise and regular insulin.

“Education makes the biggest difference in managing diabetes,” says Phyllis Simmons, R.N., a nurse educator with the FirstHealth Diabetes Self-Management Program. “With children, we schedule oneon-one sessions with the patient, parents, siblings or any family member that the patient or parents wants to attend. We will even allow a friend of the child to come in on that it is in the best interest of the child. We really try to work around school and activity schedules. Our program covers the required American Diabetes Association’s educational topics. However, we try to tailor the program to fit the individual needs of the child as much as possible. For instance if the child needs to meet with our dietitian, Debra Deschamps, for several consecutive sessions, we will arrange that schedule. The educators at the diabetes program work closely with the school nurse program staff to help provide and assess plans of care that integrate diabetes management of children in the school setting as well.”

Through Diabetes Self-Management, children and their families learn about nutrition and exercise as well as management and treatment of the disease.

“To be successful in managing diabetes, the whole family needs to be involved,” says Suggs. “The parents’ attitudes count. As much as possible, parents should be positive and not over-sympathize. They should encourage independence and try not to shelter the child.”

“We have all had to change,” says Kathy Batton. “We eat what Reid eats. I have to pack lunches for school. We’ve had to inform neighbors, teachers and our extended family about diabetes and what sorts of warning signs to look for. I’ve made emergency supply kits for all of Reid’s teachers. We have to constantly think, manage and adjust.”

Over time, even a child as young as 8 or 9 can learn to self-administer insulin and monitor blood sugar. “Children are naturally curious, so we try to channel that into their treatment,” says Suggs. “The gadgets to monitor glucose levels can seem pretty cool to the child who is into computers and video-gaming.”

“I started giving myself shots during the winter,” says Reid. “My mom and dad were both busy, and it was time, so I did it.”

Just like everyone else “Children with diabetes can do everything any other child can do,” says Dr. Diasio. “They just have to think about it a little more.”

Coaches, club advisers and friends should be informed about the child’s condition and what to do in an emergency. Looking for role models for young people with diabetes can also help ease some of the stress and frustration.

“Have you ever heard of Adam Morrison?” asks Reid. “He’s a college basketball player (for Gonzaga University), and he has diabetes.”

“I encourage patients to look at diabetes camps and special workshops,” says Dr. Khan. “Children learn better in a fun, non-threatening environment, and it is good to be around others with diabetes so you know that you are not the only one.”

Diabetes camps offer activities similar to traditional summer camps in addition to giving children an opportunity to learn more about diabetes and sharing their feelings with others in a similar situation. For more information about the camps, visit the Web sites for the American Diabetes Association or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, or contact a health provider.

Step by step
Treating children with diabetes is challenging and requires consistent, specialized monitoring.

“Any child with type 1 diabetes should be followed by a pediatric endocrinologist,” says Dr. Khan. “They have special needs, their bodies change rapidly, and only a specialist can provide the kind of individualized care that they need.”

Communication among parent, child, pediatrician and specialist ensures the best possible outcomes for overall health.

Dealing with type 1 diabetes is a lifelong process, and an accurate diagnosis is just the beginning.

“There is no cure for diabetes, but the research is promising,” Dr. Diasio says.

“Sometimes the kids at school say that it’s not fair that I get to have snacks during the day,” Reid says. “I don’t much think it’s fair that I have to have shots all the time, but I’m happy I found out it was diabetes. I feel a lot better now. I overheated in the shower, and I was drinking a lot of water. I was scared when I was feeling bad all the time. Now I know what is happening and what to do to feel better.

“Maybe by the time I’m 20, there will be a cure. I sure hope so.”