Checking blood sugar levels
A couple of months ago, we cracked down on Ben’s bad habits again regarding him not checking his blood sugar levels. He doesn’t even check his sugar levels once a day. He has had type I diabetes for 11 years, and he still doesn’t want to care for it and take care of himself.
As a result, Ray and I insisted that Ben show regular care of his diabetes by the end of May or Ben would not be able to work at Boy Scout camp this summer. We told him we would check up on him after Sunday dinner and he would be expected to show us progress in him checking his blood sugars at least a couple times a day. He would come up with excuses every week or he would check his levels a few times right before presenting his meter. I knew what was happening but you want to give your teenager the benefit of the doubt.
Ambulances and medical help would be too far away
Well, Ben failed a seemingly simple task miserably, and it was decided last night that he had to quit his job as camp staff. He would have been at a camp 6 days a week and 2 hours from the closest hospital. We really had no choice, and we feel so bad about this amazing lost opportunity. Working at long-term Scout camp would have been so good for him, but the liability and safety issues are just too steep for us to allow it.
Ray feels really bad as do I, but this has got to be a good life’s lesson for him. I hope he remembers the harm that not caring for your diabetes can do to your life, not just his health but also his opportunities. And really good opportunities can disappear when you don’t care for your diabetes and your health.
