According to the Centers for Disease Control, when diabetes strikes during childhood, it is routinely assumed to be type 1, or juvenile-onset diabetes. However, in the last 2 decades, type 2 diabetes (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes) has been reported among U.S. children and adolescents with increasing frequency.
Each year, the American Diabetes Association holds a camp for children with diabetes at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock.
At this camp, there’s your typical swimming, canoeing and camp singing. The kids here at camp aldersgate also have another thing in common; they all have diabetes.
American Diabetes Association Executive Director Rick Selig says, “A lot of times they feel like they stand out and this is an opportunity where they don’t. They’re just like everybody else.”
A feeling shared by some of the camp kids.
Olivia from Heber Springs says, “It’s nice that everyone has diabetes and I do too.”
Emily from Alma agrees; “Not many of my friends have diabetes-actually none. But here, all of them do, that’s pretty cool.”
It’s a chance for kids to be kids. Along with camp activities, the children learn how to better manage their diabetes.
Emily explains, “They have the education thing and I didn’t know I was supposed to check my sugar 8 times, I just did it 4 and I think I’m going to change that.”
Also here, medical staff are on hand to assist students and are alerted if something happens.
Olivia’s blood sugar drops. She’s given glucose tablets and juice to help. Her blood sugar is tested again and she’s okay.
Testing is so important. It’s a message shared by Canadian country music star George Canyon; “Testing wise, they can’t test enough. I talked to the kids how many times they tested, 4, 6. We went upwards to 14, someone tested 14 times a day.”
Canyon has type 1 diabetes, a disease he’s battled for 26 years. He knows the challenges of living with diabetes and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. He says, “When they start to feel pride and control in their disease, then you got ’em. Then they’re on the right road to a healthy and successful long life.”
And for this week, at Camp Aldersgate, the children get a chance to forget about being the only person with diabetes; they’re all living with it together.
For more information about the camp, call 501-221-7444.
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