Diabetes (Type 1, Juvenile) – How many kids, bus drivers, substitutes, cafeteria workers and teachers know what this disease is?

What are the symptoms? What do you look for in a child to know something is wrong? How do you know? What would you do?

These are all questions a mother worries about before she sends her child who has this disease to school.

A mother or child should never have to doubt that one of these individuals has no idea about this disease. It’s very scary to think about, but let’s face it- it’s a fact. There are some who have no clue.

It’s times like these when you realize that someone has made a difference in our son’s day at his elementary school, with her knowledge patience, understanding and compassion, her way of managing his diabetes while teaching him at the same time. I know it’s not easy for her, but it’s so appreciated.

His ups and downs, mood swings, frequent bathroom trips, irritability, times of incomprehension. All of these symptoms, sometimes all in one day, how does she do it? She still manages to make him feel like everything’s OK, doing the best that she can to try to make things easier for him, letting him feel as if he is no different, even though he knows he is.

How can she be so calm, right in the middle of teaching? Right in the middle of explaining it all, the hand goes up. He’s got to go to the bathroom. I know he’s upset because he has to ask, but not in her class. He told me that not one time has she ever made him feel like he was a nuisance to her, and yes that is the word he used. He said it doesn’t matter what his teacher is doing, she understands and never hesitates to let him go.

Do you know how hard it is for a diabetic whose blood sugar is running high to sit there and try to hold it? Do you know how it makes him feel to have to ask during a very important time in class? Do you have any idea how it makes him feel when you give him the “it’s OK” sign? It means the world!

What I see him go through every day and night, it’s a blessing to know that there’s someone who understands, someone who cares, someone who knows.

It’s one thing to have a teacher who can teach, but when you have one who can look at her student, know something is wrong, know his needs and understand them, a parent couldn’t ask for anything more.

This school year will be one that he will never forget, one he will talk about for years to come.

Teachers who impact your children in ways that are unimaginable should be recognized for all that they do.

It takes a special gift; it takes teachers like my son’s teacher, Mrs. Pam Mains. Parents like me, long for teachers like her so we don’t have to worry.

Ironton Elementary School is very lucky to have a teacher like Mrs. Mains in their school system. I just want to say thank you for being the teacher that every mother dreams of, the teacher whose student admires her for her knowledge and understanding.

It’s teachers like her that truly make a difference.

Lori Brownstead

Ironton