Parent to Parent: Diabetes

Danny Plunkett, has diabetes
"I felt really scared 'cause I didn't know what was happening."

Danny Plunkett was only seven-years-old when he was diagnosed with diabetes. His mother, Laura, will never forget the day.

Laura Plunkett, mother
"It was totally terrifying."

Experts say a diabetic child can put enormous stress on a family and even break up marriages. So it's important that the whole family get involved from the start.

Laura Plunkett, mother
"We faced it as a team from the very beginning."

First, encourage everyone in the house to change their diet. So, your child doesn't feel left out at mealtime.

Laura Plunkett, mother
"We told them we were doing it for family health, as opposed to because Danny has diabetes."

Laura cuts up fruits, vegetables and cheeses and makes sure there's always something available for after school snacking.

Laura Plunkett, mother
"You come home and no matter how busy you are. You wash them, you cut them, and you put them on the top shelf."

Next, encourage everyone to get off the couch. Exercise is not only good for diabetics, but the rest of the family as well.

Laura Plunkett, mother
"Just make up games and keep moving."

Since diabetes can put a strain on a marriage, the Plunketts suggest you split up the parenting duties. And keep talking, no matter what.

Brian Plunkett, father
"Husbands really need to take the responsibility to be as much as an equal partner as possible."

Five years later, Danny's blood sugars are normal and Laura's written a book -- "The Challenge of Childhood Diabetes" -- to share her strategies with other moms and dads.

Laura Plunkett, mother
"Your life will come back. It won't be normal like you knew it. It will be a new sense of normal. But it's good, and in our case, it's better than it was."

Related link:
The Challenge of Childhood Diabetes