Chapter VII – Luisa changes her mind

Chapter VII

Luisa changes her mind

She never thought she’d stick to watching a cycling race on tv, like it was the moon landing. But those guys really got her. Luisa had been sitting there asking herself some questions and when Diego and Simone came back from the park she was quiet. She measured her son’s blood sugar and made lunch following, as usual, the doctor’s instructions. Even during lunch, she was not in her usual mood. “Breast or wing?” she asked “Wing for me – said Diego “Is everything alright?” Simone asked “Yes, yes, I’m fine” “You seem a bit distant” “No, it’s just that… we’ll talk about it later” For the whole afternoon Simone had been wondering what had happened. He was a caring father and a loving husband - family and job were his whole world. He owned a well established hardware store and he could provide for the family. Luisa worked as a translator which was a job that she could do from home. This made sure she had some financial independency without taking time off from caring for Diego. Diabetes aside, the kid was going through a lot: from elementary to middle school, new classmates, some questions that are hard to answer… After dinner Simone poured himself a bitter and sat on the couch. Diego was sleeping and Luisa sat thoughtful, right beside him. “So, do you want to talk now?” “Your father called today” “What happened? Is he ok?” “Don’t panic. Nothing like that. He told me to watch the Milan-Sanremo race on tv. You know I’ve never really been into sports, I barely watch the world cup with you and Diego when Italy is playing. But in the race there was a team of diabetic kids, I mean cyclists, diabetic cyclists.” “Diabetic cyclists?” “Yes, a whole team, they’re professionals, racing with the champions. So these guys went spinning ahead, I heard that’s what you call it, and they were at the top for almost the whole race. I don’t know who won in the end, I don’t really care. What really impressed me though, was their strength. Even the commentator

said so. So after lunch I went on the internet and found out there’s quite a few diabetics in professional sports: football players, swimmers, volleyball players. I mean, I was wondering if, with Diego, we’re doing the right thing” “Diego has type 1” “Them too, the bikers. All type 1” “They must be supermen” “Not really, they’re normal kids, from all over the world” “And how did they do it? With blood sugar and everything?” “They didn’t have any problems. If they go hypo they take a little sugar, and when needed they take their insulin, like that, while cycling, like it was normal. And that’s the keyword, the one that stuck in my head: normal” “I don’t see where you’re going with this” “I’m just saying that maybe we should stop considering Diego a special kid. We do it out of love and to protect him. But maybe what he needs is just that: to be normal” “But the doctors always said we should be careful with him and ensure he practices moderation and control” “That’s true but it doesn’t mean deprivation. Diego grew up in a bubble, now it’s time he finds his normality. And sport could be a key factor: he could start maybe playing football in the neighborhood team. He always loved football. Or maybe tennis, basketball, swimming… we’ll let him choose” “And what if he feels sick?” “Simo, I finally understood this is our problem more than it is his. Diego has grown, he can manage his values, he even knows more about it than we do. He went to all the Young Diabetics Federation summer camps where he learned all he needed to, both medically and psychologically. He did a great job, but he only met kids with his same condition. I want him to get out of his comfort zone a little and let him be normal. I know it’s awful to say, but you get the idea. What could the risks be?” Simone was puzzled but Luisa’s determination has really impressed him. “Ok, let’s give it a go. But I think Diego shouldn’t think of it as a concession, sport should be, as you said, something normal which, as you said, is a horrible word, but a great achievement. Let’s talk to doctor Laurenti and see what he thinks about it. And now come here! I missed you, you were sullen all day long”

Sport can be a great way to learn how to deal with diabetes in every situation, especially in the harder ones you face when you’re engaging in some intense activity. What these guys are doing is extremely useful for them, because they learn and create experiences, which will stay with them their whole life, and important for others too: they’re showing that diabetes is not an obstacle if we don’t put limits on what we can do. “

Paolo Di Bartolo President of Diabetologists Doctors Association (AMD)