Spring Break
Superkid manages life with Type 1 diabetes
Sandra Jordan/Special to the NNPA
Issue date: 12/9/07 Section: Health
Managing Brendon's diabetes is a constant job for him and his mother - especially since there's no school nurse. "That's why he has a cell phone, so he can call me if he's unsure how much medicine he should take," she said
His mother writes out a menu for him everyday and Brendon takes his lunch to school. Brendon counts carbs and knows to grab and read the nutrition guides at fast-food restaurants. However, special occasions that most families
look forward to with food celebrations laden with luscious sugar-packed deserts can add up to trouble.
This year, Brendon dressed as an Oakland Raider football player, with the understanding that Halloween candy passed his way would take him out of bounds. It's a sweet deal of a different sort.
"We started buying the candy back from Brendon. I still let him participate, but he can't eat it," she said of her compromise. "We usually go to Toys "R" Us and he will get a toy in exchange for all that candy."
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) made a big difference for the Ogunnaikes as they learned to manage Brendon's diabetes. JDRF offered support, resources and activities for children and the parents.
"They have mentors - your own person you can call anytime day or night," she said. "You get to meet other people whose lives are like yours because your whole life changes."
She says the JDRF is an untapped resource, particularly by African-American families. She said her work as a high school counselor puts her in contact with young people who are diabetics, but may not have the latest information, medicine or supplies available to them about the disease.
"Parents don't really discuss it (diabetes). JDRF has all kinds of free things - I think it's a cultural thing we would rather not deal with it," Ogunnaike said. "They send a welcome kit, a bear, information on safe places to inject, things for parents, children things you can take to school … Because they were so supportive and helpful with me I decided to get involved."
Brendon's active lifestyle with diabetes rivals most healthy kids - filled with camping, Boy Scouts and plane trips. He plays the drums at church and at school. His mother said Brendon has traveled with his drum line all over the U.S.
Brendon has another role - serving as an ambassador and a spokesperson for the local JDRF. "He has gone to many companies and given speeches about his life with diabetes," his mother said. "He is also the 'brown kid' in the Pulaski Bank diabetes commercial."
For information about Type 1 diabetes, contact the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.jdrf.org or 314-726-6778 and the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.
His mother writes out a menu for him everyday and Brendon takes his lunch to school. Brendon counts carbs and knows to grab and read the nutrition guides at fast-food restaurants. However, special occasions that most families
look forward to with food celebrations laden with luscious sugar-packed deserts can add up to trouble.
This year, Brendon dressed as an Oakland Raider football player, with the understanding that Halloween candy passed his way would take him out of bounds. It's a sweet deal of a different sort.
"We started buying the candy back from Brendon. I still let him participate, but he can't eat it," she said of her compromise. "We usually go to Toys "R" Us and he will get a toy in exchange for all that candy."
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) made a big difference for the Ogunnaikes as they learned to manage Brendon's diabetes. JDRF offered support, resources and activities for children and the parents.
"They have mentors - your own person you can call anytime day or night," she said. "You get to meet other people whose lives are like yours because your whole life changes."
She says the JDRF is an untapped resource, particularly by African-American families. She said her work as a high school counselor puts her in contact with young people who are diabetics, but may not have the latest information, medicine or supplies available to them about the disease.
"Parents don't really discuss it (diabetes). JDRF has all kinds of free things - I think it's a cultural thing we would rather not deal with it," Ogunnaike said. "They send a welcome kit, a bear, information on safe places to inject, things for parents, children things you can take to school … Because they were so supportive and helpful with me I decided to get involved."
Brendon's active lifestyle with diabetes rivals most healthy kids - filled with camping, Boy Scouts and plane trips. He plays the drums at church and at school. His mother said Brendon has traveled with his drum line all over the U.S.
Brendon has another role - serving as an ambassador and a spokesperson for the local JDRF. "He has gone to many companies and given speeches about his life with diabetes," his mother said. "He is also the 'brown kid' in the Pulaski Bank diabetes commercial."
For information about Type 1 diabetes, contact the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.jdrf.org or 314-726-6778 and the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Melissa
posted 12/11/07 @ 3:04 AM EST
Hats off to Brendon and his family. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a preteen and have used an insulin pump for over 11 years. It does get easier in some ways but puberty can be a real wild ride!
To the author: when you say "affecting only 5 to 10 percent of all diabetics and prevalent in eight percent of African Americans" surely you don't mean that 8% of all African Americans have type 1 diabetes? Perhaps 8% of African Americans have some form of diabetes, which would mean a large number of people with type 2 diabetes. (Continued…)
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