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There is no shame in diabetes
There is nothing shameful about diabetes, but still some people do feel some sense of shame. All medical conditions suggest to some people perhaps that the person is less than perfect, or has some weakness. This is largely due to ignorance, and the thing that gives the lie to this attitude is the sight of the child with diabetes in perfect health and vigour, succeeding at school and at sport and socially with friends. Naturally you, as a parent, and your child with diabetes, do not parade the fact that he has diabetes – but neither should you conceal it like a shameful thing. Anyone who ought to know for the child’s sake (such as teachers, scout master, close friends) should be told in a matter-of-fact way, without any emotional overlay, and be given information about the condition that might be useful and relevant to their day-to-day contact with your child.
As with you as a parent, so it is true with members of the community; the most important thing to avoid is pity. No child wants to be pitied, and it does not help him to regain his self-confidence in himself, and self-esteem as a healthy individual.
Be prepared to talk about diabetes
You will want to be aware of his problems, be prepared to talk about diabetes when he wants to do so, and give help with adjustment to the treatment when needed. Try to avoid giving the impression you are worried about him or sorry for him. You will feel sorry for him at times of course, and perhaps worry about him often. But to show this will be upsetting for him, and will stop him feeling like a normal child.
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