Something magical happened when TD was first diagnosed. Her school friends enfolded her and encircled her in protection and love. It has been a privilege to watch this process. Sometimes the encircling has been quite literal - if she needed privacy for testing or injecting, or if she needed support whilst having a low, they would form a protective group around her. Sometimes the barrier was an emotional one of kindness between her and the harsh realities of diabetes. Each individual brought something unique and powerful to the friendship - quirkiness (highly valued here!), love, humour, hugs, straight-talking, listening hearts, and a sense of normality. Friendship can be powerful.
They are a funny group too. Once, when TD was being questioned yet again why she carries a cooler bag around all the time (it's for her insulin), these 11 year old girls answered on TD's behalf that it was her make up bag, because she needed to touch up her look during the day. This in a rather strict school environment where dress is uniform and make-up, obviously, forbidden. Their humour is catching. Now when we play "Who has the saddest story to earn the last brownie" (like in the movie Notting Hill) TD usually wins with, "I am diabetic and single." Well, yes, that is hard to beat, so with an insulin injection of 2 units, she gets the last brownie.
There is nothing funny about T1 diabetes. Humour is a coping strategy which works well to sometimes lighten the prospect of a lifelong disease. It can be a lonely business being diabetic. I am so glad TD has so many good people in her life.
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