It is still Diabetes Month and today has been set aside as "Special Sibling of a Diabetic Day." As I have mentioned previously I have 5 younger siblings.
Ms. C was only 4 months old, when I was diagnosed. Since my mom was busy taking care of a newborn my grandparents took over caring for my diabetes. As young kids there was a lot of animosity between Ms. C and I because of all the attention the adults gave me, since I wasn't really around much for her so see why I needed the extra attention, she didn't understand it. In our adolescent years Ms. C discovered she could tease and torment me about my diabetes. It got to a point that as punishment for harassing me they made Ms. C take shots of saline. However, in so many many many ways Ms. C supported me, I ♥ her (most of the time.)
Big B, my step brother and I didn't really spend much time around one another, except for the occasional family vacation. I'm not sure he even knows I have diabetes.
J, is by fat the most sympathetic to my diabetes. As a kid he liked to help me put new infusion sets in. He volunteered to test every time I did, as part of my 8th grade science project. (I just realized I don't have a photo of just J and I. Next time I see him I will have to fix this.)
Little Miss B, is very sensitive to how I am feeling. She just knows when I am low or high and is always willing to help in any way necessary to make me feel better.
Miss S, is my diabetes champion. She is also the only one in the family with D-related autoantibodies. Miss S will latch on to any diabetes related event or fundraiser and put every effort into it. She has such a giving heart and once gave all the money in her piggy bank to buy a JDRF sneaker.
I am so thankful to all my siblings for their support and sacrifices over the years. I know, I know without a shadow of a doubt, that sometimes my diabetes made your lives suck, but somehow you love me anyway. I couldn't ask for more.
What a BEAUTIFUL bride :)
ReplyDeleteLoved this post. Thanks for sharing!