A mother's strength, a daughter's comfort - Pt II

Mandeville, Manchester:

Allene Edwards sat in the doctor's office with her nine-year-old daughter and heard the words of confirmation, but could not come to terms with what would be her new reality: a child living with diabetes.

Edwards, who developed diabetes during her last month of pregnancy, said when she left the hospital after giving birth, according to the tests that came back normal, she thought it was no longer a cause for concern,. But she was wrong.

"I remember once my vision was blurry and I went to the doctor to find out what was happening, and it was then that I was officially diagnosed with diabetes."

She said when her daughter was born, she was checked and there no signs. However, at age nine, things changed.

"I realised she was losing weight on rapid, drinking water a lot and urinating frequently. Because I know the symptoms I decided to take her to the doctor and demanded that a blood sugar test be done. When they did the test it was so high. The doctor prescribed medication, but no matter what, my daughter could not swallow the pills."

Edwards said she went back to the doctor, who again prescribed the same pills, but the pharmacists went beyond the call of duty to help her out.

"When I went there, the pharmacist said she wouldn't give me any more of those pills and told me to bring my daughter to a children's specialist. But I didn't have the money at the time. The pharmacist left her pharmacy, took me to the specialist and paid the money. I get emotional even talking about this."

ADMITTED

Edwards said her daughter was immediately referred to the Denbigh Hospital, where she was admitted.

Now 11 years old, Tomiesha Harris knows all too well what it is like to take responsibility for her health, managing what she eats and even administering her own insulin shots when Mommy is away.

"It was scary for me at first, but now it is not as scary. I didn't know what diabetes was before now, but when I heard, I just felt sad. I didn't think I was going to die, but I knew this wouldn't be normal. I had to give up sweetie and bag juice ... ."

Young Tomiesha, who became emotional during the interview, said sometimes she wished she didn't have to contend with this illness.

"Sometimes she hides and eat things she is not supposed to, and that is an issue I have with her right now. But I have to realise that it is hard for her, so I have to mindful of how I scold her. It's hard for children with diabetes, watching other children eat and drink what they want, knowing you can't do that," said Edwards.

She further mentioned that it's often times hard to get her daughter the healthy things she needs to eat, but she has to make the sacrifice.

"All I can say to the parents out there is that, even if your child is not diabetic, put them on a healthy diet," Edwards ended.

familandreligion@gleanerjm.com