New to Type 2?
Enroll in the Living With Type 2 Diabetes program and let us guide you through your first year with type 2 diabetes.
Camp is Good for the Whole Family
Going to an American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Camp is a big step — not only for the child with diabetes, but for their parents as well.
Many parents worry that their child will get homesick during the week of Camp, but few ever think about how they will handle a week away from their child.
“Matthew surprised us by accepting the new challenge like a little champion,” said Tom G. of Mandeville, LA.
“On the other hand, [my wife] Kathy and I had a very difficult time letting go of our precious package. Sunday night we could not sleep, we just did not know what to do with ourselves.”
Good for Parents
Camp is not only a learning experience for the child with diabetes — it’s also a learning experience for parents.
Often parents get so busy taking care of their child, that they don’t notice how exhausted they are or how deeply diabetes affects their lives.
“I realized that the feeling I had after we dropped off Matthew at Camp was similar to the feeling of being fired from a job. I had no idea how much work we had done in the past few years and what it meant to let go...even for a little while,” said Tom.
Good for Siblings
With Matthew safe at Camp, Tom was able to finally take some time to think about how diabetes has affected every fabric of his family.
“I thought about our daughter, Mariah who doesn’t have diabetes, and how strongly this disease affects her. She sees our special relationship with Matthew and knows this is a relationship she can’t compete with,” he said. “And I feel horrible about it.”
“My take away from the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Camp was perspective,” said Tom. “I will try to give Mariah more attention, lead the way for Matthew to begin his journey of self sufficiency and most importantly, spend more quality time with Kathy.”
“It finally came to me that Camp is as much for us as it is for Matthew.”
In My Community
Does Your Child Have Diabetes?
Check out our parent mentor volunteer program full of parents just like you!
In My Community
Donate
Learn More
Find an EXPO Near You
Scroll through our calendar of EXPOs to find out when there will be one near you.
Food & Fitness
Learn More
Food & Fitness
About Us
Want to Catch Up?
Subscribe to our blog! It’s the best way to see what we’re up to at the Association.
In My Community
Learn More
Special Online Savings – up to 69% online!
Order your Diabetes Forecast® today! 25 Tips to healthy living. Click here to start.
Food & Fitness
Store
About Us
Learn More






































