When my first-born daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetic, I had so many questions in my mind. Can she live a normal life like other kids? What if she had to go to school? How can we let her live and feel like some other normal kid? And so many other questions are still popping into my mind until now.
Thankfully, things run smoothly when face-to-face classes started. But I am hesitant to let her join school programs requiring physical activities because I am scared of her unstable blood sugar condition. But as a kid, she should not be deprived of exploring wonderful things that can help her grow to be a better person. In that way, she could not think that she is different from other kids just because of her autoimmune disease.
Last March 3 to 5 was our School's first Girl Scout Camping since the start of face-to-face classes. Jewel was so very excited to join the said GSP Camping and immediately told us about it after her teacher's announcement a week before the event. At first, her Daddy doesn't want her to join because of her medical condition. But I told him that I would give my full attention to Jewel on those days and closely monitor her blood sugar. I just can't bear the sadness on her face when her Daddy said "no".
When Jewel heard that her daddy changed his mind and that she can join the camp, she seemed to have won a jackpot prize. In the following days, she was very motivated and told us that she was picked as their patrol leader. She memorized all the star scouts' laws and promise. Every time she got home, she always practiced their yell and song that even her younger sister had memorized already.
On the first day of the camp and Jewel got up earlier than before because she has been so excited. Everybody in school prepares in the morning. The day was hot and there was no shadow of clouds present. When the opening started in the afternoon, Daddy was so worried about Jewel because they have to line up in the open ground. Gladly he was there to look after Jewel.
This was their Lily Patrol Camp. It was so cute and nice. They put all their stuff inside their camp. While waiting for the camp opening, Jewel and her classmates liked to stay in their camp and rested from the hot sun outside.
When the opening was almost to start, their teacher let them line up outside and practiced what to do during the program.
And when the opening program is about to start, all the Scouters formed a line. From the twinklers, star scouts, junior scouts, and cadets were to march going into the school gym.
Every time Jewel is exposed to direct hot sunlight, her blood sugar would go down immediately. To maintain Jewel's blood sugar in the normal range, we brought cake and juices.
Daddy did not want to leave Jewel with me because he is scared that I would forget to check Jewel. So, he waited for the whole day there in school. Jewel was so happy for she wanted us to see her do her job as a Patrol leader.
Every after hour, daddy would call Jewel and feed her with the cake and juice. And keeping her hydrated was very important also. Janneah was there with us and she enjoyed the day more, lol.
It was a great feeling seeing my Type 1 Diabetic daughter marching and leading their patrol. Letting her feel like nothing is wrong with her health and that she can do what others can.
The Lily Patrol Scouters on their Star Scouts promise.
Pinning of badges to the Scouters.
The opening ceremony was very solemn. It was my first time also to join such an event and a lot of new things I learned that day. After the opening ceremony was the search for Ms. GSP 2023 in which I was not able to take pictures for I am one of the judges and was busy.
The first day ended and we went home for the star scouters were not allowed to stay in camp at night.
The Scouters must be in school as early as 7:20 am to be able to attend the flag raising. Her father was the one taking care of Jewel because I have to do some of my weekend household chores as a mother before going to school.
When I came, it was already after lunch and all the Scouters were preparing for the evaluation. This is to check their Patrol Camp if it is well organized and if they all memorized the promise and laws and all other Girl Scout things. again, they had to stay in the open ground and feel the hot sun. So, it was my turn to bring with me the juice and sweet snacks to be fed to Jewel now and then.
I had to make her blood sugar at 150 or above to make her stay active especially when it was their turn. She has to lead their classmates in the Lily Patrol's song and yell. They waited while standing under the heat of the sun for more than two hours. Checking her blood sugar every hour I did.
So tiring because I also had students, Junior Scouters, to attend to at the same time. But when the time I saw that she did it very well, I was energized hehe. Just a proud mother here.
After their evaluation, an early boodle dinner was done. It was not yet time for Jewel to have dinner (because I have to inject her insulin at 6:30 pm before she can eat) but I let her eat with her classmates so that she can enjoy it too.
She had so many first-time experiences in this GSP Camp. One of these is to eat together in "Boodle Fight Style" and she loved it.
One of the GSP Camp activities that I can't forget during my childhood years was the campfire. During the campfire event at night, my childhood feelings came back. I was so very excited to see the big fire at the center where the Scouters sit in a very big circle. I told Jewel and also Janneah for we were all present there, that it is the best part of the camping.
And yes, when Tita Hardy lighted up the woods in the center, all the Scouters shouted in excitement, including us. As you can notice we were inside the gym, supposed to be it should be outside on the ground but sadly it was raining outside.
It was an amazing view. Because of amazement, Janneah keeps on talking out loud about the fire, hahaha.
The program started and all the patrols had their turn in their presentations.
Again, Jewel, the Lily Patrol leader did her job very well. The night ended successfully. We did not attend the third day since it was Church day and we opted to prioritize our service to the Lord on Sunday.
Jewel's two-day as a Lily Patrol leader was successful. Another mission as a mother/father was accomplished. More missions to go.
That is all this blog. Thank you for the time spent reading. Hope you enjoyed it. With love mommyjane 😘.