Rusty's Ramblings July 06

Return to Articles Index

 The Starkweather Law Girl's Fast Pitch Softball Team or If You're Not Type 1 Go Sit On The Bench

Published:
1-August-2006

 Okay so it's a dumb title. But get a load of this. In the town of Manchester , Connecticut in the Girl's Major League Division (12 & 13 year olds) There are three girls with type 1 diabetes and two coaches who are diabetic. Guess how many are with Starkweather Law? ALL OF THEM!

On this team if you're not type 1 people look at you funny. As it turns out it was just the luck of the draw that caused this. But talk about feeling comfortable. If I were a total loser and dropped Kari off at a practice with no kit, no snacks, no instructions, no nothing I still wouldn't have anything to worry about.

It was a little embarrassing when we showed up for the first practice. I had my list for the care and feeding of my daughter that I give to everyone and of course my speech that goes along with it. I usually get one of two responses when I do this to teachers, girl scout leaders, or anyone who will be responsible for her for any length of time. The first response is the person is grateful for the information and is eager to learn more because Kari probably won't be the only type 1 kid they ever come in contact with. Or they look at her with sheer panic like she is going to keel over at any second and there goes their Teacher of the Year Award.

I walked up to the Head Coach, introduced myself and started in on my spiel. He listened politely for about 3 seconds. Then he started pointing out girls with diabetes. After that he started pointing to coaches. He took the wind right out of my sails. I worked hard on this particular speech and I really enjoy giving it.

One of the first things I noticed was that when there are adult type 1 diabetics around the kids quickly try to abdicate all responsibility to them. Kari didn't want to lug her kit to practices because there were adults with all the supplies she might need. In talking to some of the other parents it was the same with their children.

It was actually kind of neat to watch the bench just before the start of each game. It seemed like every other person had a Glucose meter in their lap and were sticking themselves somewhere to check their blood. The rest of the team was mostly disinterested because they had seen it so often all that blood didn't even raise an eyebrow anymore.

The best part was the coaching staff was very attuned to how each of these girls were performing and would call for blood checks or snacks for these girls while we parents got to just sit back and watch the game. As you know you get a feel for how your child is reacting. Evidently we all get the same feel because even as I would be thinking that Kari might need a check one of her coaches would be pulling her to the side to do just that.

Now it seems at times the other girls felt left out. "How come we don't get to poke ourselves til' we bleed? I'm hungry too, why can't I have something to eat? I want one of those cool belts with an insulin pump attached to me too!"

This whole situation was a great experience for everyone involved. Everyone was part of the team. Diabetes lost its mystery to the rest of the girls. The three girls got a little look at what being type 1 meant as an adult. We parents didn't have to be on our toes the whole time. All three girls were named to the All Star team.

Still calling balls and strikes,

Rusty