Eddie is spot on. I spent a full decade not wanting (or needing) an insulin pump. And that was fine.
After a while it became clear that my basal insulin just couldn't be managed with manual injections & I was put forward for a pump. By that point I was chill enough with Beetus Life, and fed up enough with Dawn Phenomenon, that I was totally ready for it. That was 16 years ago now, & you can pry my pump from my cold, dead hands, lol. (Bring on funded CGMs!)
Now, I was diagnosed as an adult, and I know that paediatric T1D is a whole 'nother world. But I've yet to meet a kid who wasn't fascinated by my bright pink* "RoboPancreas" - apparently it's cool to be a cyborg.
Pumps are far, far less of a Thing than they appear at first. Especially compared to meal bolus manual injections. they're easy to use and the rest of the time it's very easy to forget they're there. If and when a young person is ready, there's not much to worry about.
Though - it's not apparent whether Friend Questioner's daughter is just reluctant about a new idea, or resisting something she actually really needs Right Now but is scared of. If the latter - that's hard. Without knowing the particulars I can only suggest continuing to present the pump as a simple, positive solution to an unavoidable problem, and hope she sees sense before it becomes a war of attrition. Kids are hard. ❤️
* It's a pink silicone case. Cannot reccomend funky cases, skins, and stickers enough! Great icebreakers, & make medical devices look just like any other device in the pocket
Glad to hear you are recovering and feeling better.
There is a really great food writer/activist called Jack Munroe who writes actual money saving recipes. Mainly because they lost their job and had a small child and was living in food poverty so had no choice. The recipe that got them noticed was a 5 pence burger they made for their son, and they also wrote recipes based on a feeding a family for £10 a week. The recipes are easy to follow and their activism is great too. I highly recommend checking them out.
I read it shortly after it came out when our own food was more affordable.
I've just looked at their website - they've done a cheaper version of the Coronation Quiche! Those prices are so much lower than ours - thanks Covid and the tyranny of distance...
Glad/not glad that I'm not the only one with a child who only eats three things (all beige). Really wasn't prepared for the level of helplessness and frustration that I would feel multiple times a day.
Oh man I'm also learning so much from/for my ND nephew. He's 5 and VERY interested in natural disasters, hasn't figured out doing his own research yet so we all get to wow him with new info. Did ya know typhoons, hurricanes, and cyclones are the same thing? Naming depends which ocean they form over/which country is responsible for monitoring it.
That was so interesting! Thank you! I've just discovered Book Women (bookwomenpodcast.ca) which is three Métis First Nations librarians who talk about books an how to get first nations women's stories out there. They are hilarious and sweary and laugh a lot and I love them and I think they are our people!
I’m always so stoked when a new post from you comes up! Loved these questions and I LOVE how incredible your son is! I need to know more about this cat care team in the Russian museum!
Also thanks for the recs in FNC for If Books Could Kill. Omg. I binged on Rich Dad Poor Dad and the love languages yesterday. Holy Christ on a stick. I laughed so hard, but fk these awful authors, and their useless scammy sexist awful books! Who the hell are the millions buying them? I’m so glad to hear there are men out there who actually have a proper analysis of sexism and the diet industry, among other things.
It’s so great eh. I get so excited when they put a new episode up. I feel jealous you get to listen to them all now! They’re so funny. Thanks for the kind words! ❤️
Loved reading this. I have so much respect and wonder at your way of looking at things and talking (writing) about things. Hopefully you're still around in Booktown weekend to attend a few other events - esp Sam Duckor Jones' presentation.
You are so right about the joy of neurodivergent kids! Even when I get out of the shower in the morning to my daughter with Spotify on full noise singing (screaming) songs (often frozen) into her microphone, I'm filled with happiness at how happy she is in that moment.
This feels like a super random recommendation to a stranger on the internet but I follow Mary Comeau on YouTube (she's also on tiktok if thats your thing), she's a young woman in Canada and shares all sorts of long and short videos about replacing all her bits and pieces, and just generally managing life with diabetes, and if I was a younger kiddo with T1D I'd really enjoy watching her videos?
Part of the reason for all the airports in the US is Alaska. The govt has to provide a way in and out of all the towns but roads don't work with all the ice and frozenness. So the result is many many airports. I may have used this as a quiz question recently 😅
Also, I have been driving for over a decade, and parking in a very narrow crowded street.. sometimes I get that sweet spot hole-in-one parallel park and sometimes the neighbours come over to help me out because I've tried 5 times and am swearing loudly 😂
I sooo get the driving thing. I’ve managed to completely avoid it (not get around to it? Opt for greener alternatives? Hmmm) since we moved to Auckland several years ago. When you get old the buses are free and you have time to wait for them. Or to walk because waiting is so boring, then watch the buses whizz past you between stops. Weirdly, I find parking ok. I think it’s because it’s the only bit I like – it happens where other cars mostly stay still, and it means you’re there, so you don’t have to do all the rest of it any more, at least for a while.
Thanks for sharing the joy of your wonderful kids!
Also i recommend the podcast neurodivergent moments. It’s a comedy podcast. I was reminded of it by this post because they interviewed a person with dyspraxia a while ago and he was very funny and intelligent.
For the questioner who gets stressed by going to the supermarket, I understand the stress is financial, but for me I find online shopping makes grocery shopping much less stressful. Then there would be the added stress of delivery fee. But shopping in a safe environment could potentially help.
I don’t understand budget challenges. Things cost what they cost and each family eats what they eat, and if those two factors dont line up with how much money you have available, then getting creative isn’t going to help much - and thinking that it is only leads to victim blaming.
Eddie is spot on. I spent a full decade not wanting (or needing) an insulin pump. And that was fine.
After a while it became clear that my basal insulin just couldn't be managed with manual injections & I was put forward for a pump. By that point I was chill enough with Beetus Life, and fed up enough with Dawn Phenomenon, that I was totally ready for it. That was 16 years ago now, & you can pry my pump from my cold, dead hands, lol. (Bring on funded CGMs!)
Now, I was diagnosed as an adult, and I know that paediatric T1D is a whole 'nother world. But I've yet to meet a kid who wasn't fascinated by my bright pink* "RoboPancreas" - apparently it's cool to be a cyborg.
Pumps are far, far less of a Thing than they appear at first. Especially compared to meal bolus manual injections. they're easy to use and the rest of the time it's very easy to forget they're there. If and when a young person is ready, there's not much to worry about.
Though - it's not apparent whether Friend Questioner's daughter is just reluctant about a new idea, or resisting something she actually really needs Right Now but is scared of. If the latter - that's hard. Without knowing the particulars I can only suggest continuing to present the pump as a simple, positive solution to an unavoidable problem, and hope she sees sense before it becomes a war of attrition. Kids are hard. ❤️
* It's a pink silicone case. Cannot reccomend funky cases, skins, and stickers enough! Great icebreakers, & make medical devices look just like any other device in the pocket
Thank you so much for sharing ❤️ this is helpful not just for the mama who asked the question but for me too! I so appreciate it x
Glad to hear you are recovering and feeling better.
There is a really great food writer/activist called Jack Munroe who writes actual money saving recipes. Mainly because they lost their job and had a small child and was living in food poverty so had no choice. The recipe that got them noticed was a 5 pence burger they made for their son, and they also wrote recipes based on a feeding a family for £10 a week. The recipes are easy to follow and their activism is great too. I highly recommend checking them out.
https://cookingonabootstrap.com/
Thanks for the recommendation ❤️
Jack's stuff is so great! I got the cookbook from the library and it is full of excellent ideas and advice.
I was shocked by how cheap canned goods and bulk foods are in the UK but I guess it's a northern hemisphere population size thing.
Stuff is definitely cheaper there, although they wrote the book a few years ago now.
I read it shortly after it came out when our own food was more affordable.
I've just looked at their website - they've done a cheaper version of the Coronation Quiche! Those prices are so much lower than ours - thanks Covid and the tyranny of distance...
https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2023/04/28/jack-monroe-coronation-quiche-big-helpout/
Seconding this rec
Glad/not glad that I'm not the only one with a child who only eats three things (all beige). Really wasn't prepared for the level of helplessness and frustration that I would feel multiple times a day.
Arohanui Alina it’s really heartbreaking having a child who doesn’t like to eat. I’ll send you an email about the other things x
Oh man I'm also learning so much from/for my ND nephew. He's 5 and VERY interested in natural disasters, hasn't figured out doing his own research yet so we all get to wow him with new info. Did ya know typhoons, hurricanes, and cyclones are the same thing? Naming depends which ocean they form over/which country is responsible for monitoring it.
I had no idea! That is wild!
Tornados however, are a whole different beast. Also did you know THEY GO WOOSHWOOSHWOOSH AND SUCK EVERYTHING UP
😂 somewhat aware lol
That was so interesting! Thank you! I've just discovered Book Women (bookwomenpodcast.ca) which is three Métis First Nations librarians who talk about books an how to get first nations women's stories out there. They are hilarious and sweary and laugh a lot and I love them and I think they are our people!
That sounds awesome I will definitely check them out ❤️
I’m always so stoked when a new post from you comes up! Loved these questions and I LOVE how incredible your son is! I need to know more about this cat care team in the Russian museum!
Also thanks for the recs in FNC for If Books Could Kill. Omg. I binged on Rich Dad Poor Dad and the love languages yesterday. Holy Christ on a stick. I laughed so hard, but fk these awful authors, and their useless scammy sexist awful books! Who the hell are the millions buying them? I’m so glad to hear there are men out there who actually have a proper analysis of sexism and the diet industry, among other things.
It’s so great eh. I get so excited when they put a new episode up. I feel jealous you get to listen to them all now! They’re so funny. Thanks for the kind words! ❤️
Such good answers thank you x
Thanks for reading! ❤️
Loved reading this. I have so much respect and wonder at your way of looking at things and talking (writing) about things. Hopefully you're still around in Booktown weekend to attend a few other events - esp Sam Duckor Jones' presentation.
Oh that’s so nice of you to say! I can’t wait to see Sam’s pieces! I’m a big fan of theirs! And I’m hoping to catch some other sessions ❤️
Great Q&A 😁
You are so right about the joy of neurodivergent kids! Even when I get out of the shower in the morning to my daughter with Spotify on full noise singing (screaming) songs (often frozen) into her microphone, I'm filled with happiness at how happy she is in that moment.
It’s so wonderful ❤️❤️
This feels like a super random recommendation to a stranger on the internet but I follow Mary Comeau on YouTube (she's also on tiktok if thats your thing), she's a young woman in Canada and shares all sorts of long and short videos about replacing all her bits and pieces, and just generally managing life with diabetes, and if I was a younger kiddo with T1D I'd really enjoy watching her videos?
Oh thanks! I will check them out ❤️
Part of the reason for all the airports in the US is Alaska. The govt has to provide a way in and out of all the towns but roads don't work with all the ice and frozenness. So the result is many many airports. I may have used this as a quiz question recently 😅
Also, I have been driving for over a decade, and parking in a very narrow crowded street.. sometimes I get that sweet spot hole-in-one parallel park and sometimes the neighbours come over to help me out because I've tried 5 times and am swearing loudly 😂
I sooo get the driving thing. I’ve managed to completely avoid it (not get around to it? Opt for greener alternatives? Hmmm) since we moved to Auckland several years ago. When you get old the buses are free and you have time to wait for them. Or to walk because waiting is so boring, then watch the buses whizz past you between stops. Weirdly, I find parking ok. I think it’s because it’s the only bit I like – it happens where other cars mostly stay still, and it means you’re there, so you don’t have to do all the rest of it any more, at least for a while.
Thanks for sharing the joy of your wonderful kids!
Apologies but my main takeaway is SIX?! Six units A DAY?!? 😂😂
Also i recommend the podcast neurodivergent moments. It’s a comedy podcast. I was reminded of it by this post because they interviewed a person with dyspraxia a while ago and he was very funny and intelligent.
Season two episode three
For the questioner who gets stressed by going to the supermarket, I understand the stress is financial, but for me I find online shopping makes grocery shopping much less stressful. Then there would be the added stress of delivery fee. But shopping in a safe environment could potentially help.
I don’t understand budget challenges. Things cost what they cost and each family eats what they eat, and if those two factors dont line up with how much money you have available, then getting creative isn’t going to help much - and thinking that it is only leads to victim blaming.
I reckon you can knock Iceland off your list, everyone I know who's seen them said the northern lights only look good on a camera, not in real life!