To: Ray Allen, Re: Living with diabetes

Tag : finger sock

To: Ray Allen
Boston Celtics
226 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02144
DEAR MR. ALLEN,
On the surface, you and I don't have much in common. You're a rich,famous basketball player who can get the best table at anyrestaurant in Boston. I'm just a writer in the 'burbs who has towait in line at Bertucci's, which is never pretty.
But we actually have something very much in common. Your17-month-old son, Walker, was just diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes,requiring insulin each day to live. My son, Garrett, was diagnosedat age 3. He is now 7, and during your playoff run, he wore hisfavorite Celtics shirt - No. 20 - so often that the numbers arescraping off.
There is never a good time to discover that your child hasdiabetes, but I can imagine that your circumstance - on the morningof an NBA championship game - was more difficult than most. It mayhave lacked the Bloody Sock's visual drama, but I hope your play inGames 5 and 6 receive their proper acclaim in Boston sportshistory.
Walker is now part of a sobering national trend. It used to be rarethat a child his age developed diabetes. Now it's not. Thegovernment doesn't formally track these numbers, but any pediatricendocrinology clinic in America will confirm significant increasesin diabetic children, particularly age 3 and younger. No one knowswhy.
I won't pretend to know everything about diabetes, because asyou'll soon discover, you learn something new every day. But I canoffer you a few tips.
As you know by now, the essential challenge of this disease istrying to maintain near-normal blood sugars by balancing insulin,diet, and exercise. That Walker is so young poses specialchallenges. He cannot clearly express his needs. His foodconsumption may change dramatically from day to day. His growingbody will require continued recalibration of his insulin. Some dayswill seem, to you, as if he will never be under control.
It's enough to make anyone crazy, so my advice is this: Neverpanic, never get angry, and never give up. The problem is not yourson. The problem is the diabetes, and adjustments can be made.
The fact is, Walker is quite lucky, at least compared to many otherchildren with his condition. You will have the resources to get himquality care - the best doctors, medical supplies, and education -that money can buy, and Boston is blessed with some of the world'sfinest clinics for diabetic children.
Walker was also diagnosed at a time of unprecedented technologicaland pharmaceutical breakthroughs for improving treatment -including better insulins, insulin-delivering devices,blood-glucose meters, and continuous glucose monitors - and we havea much better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of thedisease. The future for better care is bright.
Granted, that is little solace to a 17-month-old, who must getdaily shots and finger pricks and who will never know what life waslike before diabetes. But you would be surprised. Children have aneasier time adjusting than diabetic adults, even though adult-onsetdiabetes (Type 2) typically does not require injections. Of coursediabetic kids get frustrated, but they are resilient,high-spirited, and very brave.
The silver lining in the diabetic surge is that youngsters nolonger have to feel isolated or alone. Diabetic playgroups are nowplentiful, and I happen to know of diabetic children in yourcommunity. Walker should play with them or others. He can even playwith Garrett. (We have a hoop.) When Walker gets older, he can goto a diabetic camp and experience a new world of friendships. Youcan tell Walker he's not alone, but he won't believe it until hesees it.
Your son will not have to curb his dreams, nor you yours. At somepoint, you can tell Walker that people with diabetes have climbedMount Everest, won Olympic gold medals, and fought in wars. They'veeven played in the NBA. Your boy will do whatever he wants to, andif he's like his father, he'll do it well. The game just started,and the ball's in his hands.
James S. Hirsch, the author of "Cheating Destiny: Living withDiabetes," is writing a biography of Willie Mays. He lives inNeedham.