“It’s been quite the learning process but when it’s your kid, you don’t have a choice, you have to be strong.” -Amanda Cline to always first ask themselves, “Is it the diabetes?” Lucas started wearing an insulin pump last October, which allows his parents to administer insulin using a remote control, rather than giving him shots. The pump is worn around his waist, attaching internally with two small catheters, which have to be changed out every two days. In May he began wearing a glucose monitor on his arm, which monitors his blood sugar. The Clines continue to set alarms at midnight and 3 a.m. to wake up and give Lucas additional insulin each night. “It’s been quite the learning process but when it’s your kid, you don’t have a choice, you have to be strong,” said Amanda Cline. Lucas is too young to truly understand what is happening to him, but his mom said he is starting
to ask questions. The other day he asked his brother Drew, “Where is your diabetes?,” referring to the insulin pump and glucose monitor his big brother doesn’t have to wear. They hope to help other families who are struggling with the same challenge. They started a blog, www.faceofdiabetes.com, to share their story and help other families who are going through the same situation. Amanda underwent training and is in the process of starting a support group for families with diabetic children in the lakes area. Contact her at cline01@tds.net for more information about the support group. There are many misconceptions about children with Type 1 diabetes. Children like Lucas can have sugar; in fact, 50 percent of his diet is supposed to be See, TYPE 1, Page 14
Kelly Humphrey • kelly.humphrey@brainerddispatch.com
Lucas Cline has a constant glucose monitor on his arm and an insulin pump site at his waist.
13