Harrison

From his mother:

Harrison “Harry” was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on August 17th 2015. We had left him with grandparents for a weekend and he had been guzzling water. We thought it was because his grandparents house didn’t have air conditioning but his grandfather said words that stuck with us: “Keep an eye out because it could be something else.”
The next morning, we had to wake our usually bright-eyed boy and when my husband brought him down, he was concerned. Diapers usually held a lot of fluid but he was dripping from his diaper. I had a pediatrician take us seriously to be seen and next thing we knew we were learning math formulas, insurance, and the heartache felt for him. He was the second generation diagnosed but it felt isolating.

Yet, he was unafraid to explain his disability. He clung onto Baymax because he was a “healthcare companion” letting us know his disability made him mighty and something he carried with him, and not actually a part of him. He’d explain his pump and Dexcom with enthusiasm to other kids. He didn’t know life as this being something hidden, but as a part of life.

His life looks so different as a 12 year old. He’s been with the same friends since kindergarten who are fiercely protective of his disability. They help him when he’s low, they help him when he needs shots, and he’s now able to take care of himself most days. He’s grown with this disorder much like us. We’re so grateful he’s made this milestone and he will get more!