We spent the last week at a day camp sponsored by the American Diabetes Association.  M is able to spend a week with children just like her who suffer from either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.   I think I've shared most of this story before, but I'm going to share again. 
M was diagnosed at age 5 with Type 1 diabetes.  Believe it or not we were very lucky with her diagnosis.  She went in to see the dr. for a well child visit and I just happened to ask about some symptoms.  Her sugar was 256.  Now a glucose reading should be between 80-120 so she was high.  But when you hear about kids going in with readings over 1500 near death, 256 doesn't sound so bad.  She got her first insulin shot that day and we headed to Texas Children's the next morning to find out what we did now.
I can honestly say life has never been the same.  At the hospital that next day we learned that M would have to take 3 shots a day and test sugars.  The really hard part about that is that she would have to eat only 3 times a day-and at the same time every day.  Breakfast could be 15 g of carbs, lunch 30 g, and supper 30 g.  Snacks did not fit into the regimen.  No sleeping late anymore-at least not unless you woke up, took a shot and went back to sleep.  That's pretty hard explaining to a 5-year old.  That was her life for approximately 4 months.
The next step is what's called the intensive insulin regimen.  She could eat when she wanted and could eat what she wanted.  Each food intake though would require a shot.  The nurses always told us shots in the belly were the easiest.  She wouldn't believe it though.  We did shots on her arm and on her legs.  So sometimes there would be 3 shots but other days there might be 5-7 shots in a day. 
She's on an insulin pump now.  Life is much easier.  There's a needle about every 3 days when we change out the infusion pump.  Otherwise we just program the numbers in and go. 
I'm blessed.  She's an amazingly intelligent and responsible child.  She recognizes the importance of monitoring her eating.  She lets us know when she's experiencing a high or a low.  How many 7-year olds can tell you the number of carbs in a McDonald's hamburger or a Great American cookie? 
As much as we try though, her life is never "normal."  She can't graze on chips during a 4th of July party.  She has to wake up for 2 a.m. meter checks.  We haven't tried many play dates.  There's not a lot of parents who feel comfortable taking care of her for the day-lots of risks. 
She accepts it as her normal though.  We talk about until there's a cure she has to be responsible for herself to keep herself healthy.  The counselors' comments about her at the end of camp were about her helpfulness, her positive attitude.  I feel sorry for myself a lot...and don't get me wrong, she can be an ornery little girl,  but I hope that one day I can be a brave as she is.