Real Life Parenting of Kids with Diabetes [Paperback]

Virginia Loy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2001

Virginia Loy has been the chief engineer behind the successful management of her two sons’ diabetes for more than 12 years. Her sons, Spike and Bo Loy, have written a book to help kids growing up with diabetes, Getting a Grip on Diabetes, and now Virginia makes her own contribution to parents of children with diabetes. Virginia reveals her organized, experienced, and practical advice for helping children cope with and manage their diabetes from elementary school through college.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Loy's sons, Spike and Bo, were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within a year of each other, Loy became an expert on managing the disease. Earlier this year, Spike and Bo (now in their teens) wrote Getting a Grip on Diabetes, and now Loy weighs in with her advice for parents. Her straightforward guide begins with the shock of diagnosis and how to handle the basic day-to-day needs of a diabetic child. Loy, using her own sons as examples, leads parents through grade school, junior high, high school (where hormone changes can affect blood sugar), and even college, where, she illustrates, a parent still may be called upon to deal with a diabetes-related situation. Loy stresses the importance of always having food on hand, making teachers and friends aware of the child's condition, and continuing to be involved in the child's diabetes care as he or she grows up. Filled with personal stories and, most importantly, a positive attitude, this book is a must read, especially for shell-shocked parents dealing with a newly diagnosed child. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Back Cover

Your child was diagnosed with diabetes and your world has been turned upside down. Where do you go from here? HOW do you handle the responsibility? HOW do you help your child live life to the fullest?

These are questions every parent of a child with diabetes asks. FINALLY THERE ARE ANSWERS.

This down-to-earth guide will give you all the information you need to know about raising a child with diabetes. There are tips and suggestions for:

• Developing a testing and medication routine
• Organizing a play group
• Finding a doctor
• Making sure they get the exercise they need
• Preparing for sports and activities
• Traveling with diabetes
• Providing emotional support
• Much more

Most importantly, this informative guide teaches the importance of staying positive in the face of adversity and making sure your kids stay positive as well. Diabetes shouldn't keep your child from living the life they want to live.

"Being a diabetic, I cherish this book. I read Bo and Spike's book on what it is like to be a juvenile diabetic and marveled at their ability to inform people about how to cope with juvenile diabetes. When I read Virginia's book I was doubly impressed. She tells it like it is and gave warmth and security to her children. I found it very moving and very valuable." -- Larry Hagman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: American Diabetes Association; 1 edition (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580400833
• ISBN-13: 978-1580400831
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diets & Weight Loss > American Diabetes Association

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical and Positive Book for Managing Diabetes Type I, August 30, 2002

By 

"thewebers4" (Costa Mesa, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Life Parenting of Kids with Diabetes (Paperback)

If there are only two books you buy for diabetes type 1 management this is one of the two (the other being "Getting a Grip on Diabetes: Quick Tips & Techniques for Kids and Teens)" written by Virgina's sons (Bo and Spike Nasmyth Loy).

These books provide the upbeat message that diabetes should not rule a person's life but be integrated into whatever a person wants to accomplish. There are are uplifting stories, how to be prepared for low blood sugars in all situations, how to communicate with the school, friends, and extremely helpful tips in a clear, concise format.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book gave me great hope & relief., December 3, 2003

By 

Garlic Bread Mama "Big Mama" (SF Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Life Parenting of Kids with Diabetes (Paperback)

When my 4 1/2yr old was diagnosed in 2002, I was so scared that the fun part of his life was over. I bought 10 books & decided to read this one first. I was so happy & relieved to read about this great woman's calm approach to her boys diabetes. Both of her boys were diagnosed before 7 & continued on to do great things with their lives. This is a must read, it will relieve some of your worries & give you hope that life does go on & your child WILL be just fine.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book really helped!, February 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Life Parenting of Kids with Diabetes (Paperback)

When my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes last May, our dietician lent me a copy of this book--it helped me so much! I didn't know anything about diabetes at the time and was frightened out of my mind! Ms. Loy has so many fantastic coping ideas--I've put many to use--this book is a wonderful tool--especially for parents of newly diagnosed children.