Monday, October 23, 2006

Not again

I just found out that one of the High School aged kids at Church is spending the night in the hospital. He was diagnosed as a type 1 tonight.

With little "O" (I will update you on her soon) and now this kid, we will call him "M", being diagnosed I am just so upset.

I am sick of diabetes. I truly hate it. I hate what it does to childhoods. What is does to pocketbooks. What it does to hope.

I just remember how difficult it was to be a teenager in the first place. Hair is new places. Aroma's that were never pleasing. Zits. squeeky voices. Did I mention Zits? Being a teen is not easy and especially when you find that you are not "normal."

My mission is to get to know M. I know his family but have not really gotten to know him since I do not work with the youth at church any longer.

If you knew how many times I told myself, "You need to be there for that kid who feels alone since you always felt alone." I want to pay it forward.

I love the OC so much and your guidance means the world to me. I would love any advice you may have for helping this guy and his family out.

I know O's parents well so that was not so weird. I don't want to overstep my bounds.

I may be taking the "Super George" thing a little too seriously.

6 comments:

Vivian said...

It is heartbreaking. You are Super George and maybe God placed you in this family's path for a reason. We will keep this situation in prayer and hope you feel the strength from it to do what you are meant to do.

Scott K. Johnson said...

You know, the kids parents may need someone to talk to also.

Maybe that's the place to start?

And I hate it too brother.

But, we have to find a way to keep on keepin' on. And just being a regular guy that this family can talk to and ask questions of, well, I see that as a very valuable thing.

Sandra Miller said...

Any time you can spend with this family will be huge.

It's all so very frightening in the beginning-- discovering your child has a disease that could turn life-threatening at any moment, and carries with it the potential for devastating long-term complications.

It's so important for this family (as it was for us) to understand that despite these things, their son can live a normal, healthy life with diabetes.

And you, George (as were several "strangers" we met after Joseph's diagnosis) are living proof of that.

So, yes-- by all means reach out to this family. You are not overstepping any bounds in doing so.

Minnesota Nice said...

You are not taking Super Gorge too far.
I guess I'd try to be very direct with your intention to help and keep at it. Maybe right now they want the dust to settle but might really like to talk in a month. Or, maybe they'd like to touch base immediately. You will know what the right thing to do is.
Do not underestimate your ability to help this family.
Good luck.

Minnesota Nice said...

Sorry for the typo, Super George - no I am not good at proofreading.

Penny Ratzlaff said...

George,
A few days after Riley's diagnosis one of the parents in my other son's class called me. Her son was diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of 10. She just called to let me know she was thinking about me and to see if I needed anything. It really meant a lot to me. Even though I knew who she was, I had never really talked to her before that. I didn't find it wierd at all. I thought it was very nice and considerate.