Chapter 1

One day Bobby went to school and walked into class. He wasn’t feeling well lately. He sat down at his desk and put his head down. He felt tired and had no energy. But it was only the start of the day, so he had no idea why he felt so tired. His friend Mouf walked up to him and asked if he was okay.

“Bobby. Are you okay?” asked Mouf.

Bobby raised his head from his arms. His face was white and his eyes looked heavy and half open.

“I don’t know…I just want to sleep. And I am so thirsty.”

At that moment, the teacher walked up to the boys and she knew immediately that something was wrong with Bobby. She asked Mouf to hurry and tell the secretary to call an ambulance. The teacher did not know what was wrong with Bobby but she knew he should go to the hospital. Mouf did exactly as she said, and in a few minutes the sound of the ambulance siren was blaring in the school parking lot. The ambulance attendants got out of the vehicle and entered the classroom pushing a stretcher. Bobby was still at his seat with his head on the wooden desk. He could hardly lift his head. The ambulance attendants lifted Bobby out of his seat and laid him onto the stretcher. Everyone in class looked nervous and worried for Bobby. Nobody knew what was wrong with him. Everyone followed the stretcher to the door and watched as the workers lifted the stretcher into the ambulance outside.

What was wrong with Bobby? Did he have the flu? Did he eat something that made him sick? Was he just tired?

 

 

Chapter 2

Bobby woke up in the hospital. He was surprised to see his Mom sitting in the chair beside him, and his Dad standing near the end of the bed talking to a doctor. Bobby looked around in bewilderment. Everything was happening so fast, he had to think about why he was here. He remembered walking to school and sitting down at his desk, but everything following that was a blur. Bobby’s eyes opened fully and his Mom jumped up from her seat.

“Bobby! You’re awake! We were so worried about you.” She gave him a big hug.

Bobby felt so safe when she hugged him. He was so glad that his parents were with him. Bobby’s Dad also came over to him and felt his forehead for a temperature.

“Well, at least he doesn’t have a fever.” Said his Dad with relief.

The Doctor stood at the end of the bed writing some notes but he looked up from his clipboard to reply.

“Yes, it is good Bobby doesn’t have a fever but actually Bobby’s condition has to do with something entirely different.”

Bobby’s Mom looked at the Dad nervously.

“Don’t look so worried,” said the Doctor. “Bobby is going to be just fine. Bobby has diabetes.”

 

Chapter 3

Diabetes?  Bobby had never heard of it before. Actually, he might have heard of it but he knew nothing about it. Bobby’s parents knew a little about diabetes because Bobby’s Grandmother had Type 2 diabetes. But Bobby had Type 1 diabetes, which was different from Type 2.

At first, Bobby didn’t completely understand what Type 1 diabetes was but he heard one word that really scared him, NEEDLE. Bobby quickly found out that he would have to take needles. Not once a day, or once a month, or even once a year…. he would have to take a needle every single day!  The doctor tried to explain to Bobby about Type 1 diabetes but the only words that really stuck out in his mind were needle and injection.

The next few days were a blur to Bobby. He had to learn so much so fast. During his stay in the hospital, he was taught how to give himself an insulin injection, how to monitor his blood sugar and he also learned about the importance of nutrition. By the time Bobby left the hospital his mind was spinning! He couldn’t understand how one day he was in school like a “normal” student, and now his life had changed completely. This scared him. And it also scared Bobby’s parents.

 

Chapter 4

Bobby arrived home and felt good to be home. He felt so comfortable there. But this time, it was different. The doctors told him that his life would be different now that he had diabetes.

Bobby’s parents tried to learn about nutrition while he was in the hospital, so as soon as they arrived home, Bobby’s Mom went to the grocery store and bought groceries that would be healthy for everyone–apples, bananas, nuts, milk, juice, lots of nutritious food. She knew that her family would think this was boring, so she decided to plan meals and snacks that were healthy but fun. Instead of plain fruit, she bought vanilla soymilk and made delicious milkshakes with strawberries and bananas. She also mixed nuts, raisins, and dried fruit together for a treat the children could bring to school. She also bought more vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms and green pepper and made a low-fat yogurt dip. Vegetables are always more fun with dip!

Bobby and family were making serious lifestyle changes that were not only important to Bobby, but also important to the health of the rest of the family.

 

Chapter 5

When Bobby went back to school, the kids crowded around him and wanted to hear about his experience and learn more about diabetes. At first, Bobby was a bit shy and didn’t want to tell everyone about it. He wanted to be a “normal” kid and continue the life he had before he entered the hospital. But the kids kept asking questions, waiting for his reply.

“So Bobby, is it true you have to take a needle everyday?” Asked Lucinda, a freckle-faced blonde girl in Bobby’s class.

Bobby looked blankly at Lucinda, who was standing at his desk, amongst the rest of the class.

“Yeah. I heard the needles are really long and you have to stick them in your elbow!” Said Mouf, scrunching his nose in disgust.

Up until this point, Bobby had been very serious. But when he heard Mouf’s comment, he laughed aloud.

 

“Where did you hear that? I don’t stick needles in my elbow! Are you crazy?” Bobby was still laughing and the other kids started laughing too, although not understanding exactly why it was so funny.

Soon, the entire classroom was engrossed in loud, silly laughter! The teacher, Ms. Jones,  had been at her desk preparing for class, and listening to the conversation.

“Class. Why don’t you ask Bobby to tell us more about it tomorrow?   He can do a short presentation. And then you can ask all of your questions.” Ms. Jones suggested as she stood up from her desk and walked towards the group.

“Yeah! What do you say Bobby?” Asked Lucinda.

Although Bobby felt a little embarrassed, part of him wanted to explain more about diabetes to his class.

“Okay. Tomorrow I will bring all of my diabetes stuff here and you can see it!” Bobby felt a little excited.

Mouf jumped up and down.

“Good! We can watch you shoot up in your elbow!” He said.  The class once again broke into excited laughter.

Chapter 6

Bobby went home that night and told his Mom about the presentation.  His Mom thought it was a great idea.  She said that she would even bake some low-sugar, low-fat banana muffins for everyone in the class.  Bobby got all of his supplies and books together, ready for his presentation.

The next day, Bobby got to school early to set up. He felt a little bit nervous but was also excited to tell the class about diabetes.

When the students arrived, they all seemed really curious and looked at all of his belongings carefully laid out on the desk. Insulin vials, blood testing meter, test strips, insulin pen, books, and sugar pills. He also had the container full of muffins that his mother had made!  He showed the class how he checks his blood sugar by giving a demonstration. He was happy that his blood sugar level was 6.0. Some of the students wanted to check their blood sugar level too, but to be safe he explained that it was not a good idea to share his diabetes equipment with other people.  The students had a lot of questions and Bobby talked about diabetes for about 40 minutes! Then they took a break and ate muffins together. Bobby felt good that he had the chance to share his story with his class.