I am not one to talk about complications from having Type 1 diabetes, but apparently my five year old son’s friends are. This conversation took place today between my son and me.
Son-“Mama can I go blind from having Type 1 diabetes?”
Me-“Why do you ask baby?”
Son-“My friend from class asked me if I will go blind because I have Type 1 diabetes.”
Me-“What did you tell him?”
Son-“I told him I didn’t know, and I would ask my mom.”
I explained to my son that while some people do go blind after having diabetes for many, many years, it probably wouldn’t happen to him if we continue to keep his numbers in range. Let me repeat that…I explained to my son that while some people do go blind after having diabetes for many, many years, it probably wouldn’t happen to him if we continue to keep his numbers in range.
I will end here, because I think I’ve already written my point. Have a heart. Don’t talk about complications when talking to your children about my son’s diabetes. He doesn’t need to have these conversations yet. He is only five. Let’s keep some childhood innocence for him, okay?