Friends making strides to help control diabetes

By Cyndi Kight

Correspondent

PRINCESS ANNE

Timmy Fogarty was 4 years old when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-making cells in the pancreas that regulate blood sugar levels.

Now, the 8-year-old, Princess Anne Elementary School second-grader is an old pro at checking his blood sugar and giving himself insulin injections.

He's also a role model for his 6-year-old sister, Yvonne, a kindergartner at Princess Anne Elementary. Like her brother, she was 4 when it was discovered that she had the disorder as well.

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Web site, www.jdrf.org, approximately 3 million Americans may have Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes which causes them to be dependent on insulin injections.

According to Sally Berry, a nurse at Princess Anne Elementary, it's not often that two children in one family have the disorder. Thankfully, Timmy, Yvonne and their parents, Debbie and Tim Fogarty, have Berry and other Virginia Beach City Public School nurses on their side through the Friends with Diabetes Support Group.

The group, started approximately 20 years ago by a school nurse, is sponsored by school nurses, said Berry, its coordinator. During the school year, members generally meet the last Thursday evening of each month at Princess Anne Elementary to become more informed about juvenile diabetes, share tips, and to provide a network for one another.

Professionals, such as dietitians, podiatrists and pediatric endocrinologists, are also invited to speak on topics of concern for people with the disease.

During a recent meeting, children gathered in the school cafeteria to do crafts and play games that taught about nutrition, such as how to count carbohydrates in foods, while parents and nurses met in the library.

Having other parents and professionals available to answer their questions is a relief to parents, said Tim Fogarty, especially if they've just learned their child has Type 1 diabetes.

"You definitely have a lot of 'what ifs?' " Debbie Fogarty said. Another plus, according to Tim Fogarty, is getting reassurance that it's not your fault.

Carl and Mary Jo Pitt began attending four years ago so their daughter Kristeen, now a Centerville Elementary School fifth-grader, could meet other kids with diabetes.

At first, Carl Pitt said, "It's overwhelming." Now they can help other parents, he said, like Cyndy Pugh. Pugh's 6-year-old daughter, Natalie, a Point O' View Elementary School kindergartner, was diagnosed in April.

Holly Hufton, who has a third-grader at Woodstock Elementary, said the partnership with school nurse Kathy Phillips and other parents and nurses is invaluable. While it's not fair that her son has juvenile diabetes, Hufton said, "I know my kid's going to be okay."

Berry said Friends with Diabetes is for the "whole school system," and newcomers are always welcome. Anyone interested is invited to the group's end-of year picnic Monday at Woodstock Park.

Cyndi Kight, kightcw@yahoo.com By Cyndi Kight

Correspondent

PRINCESS ANNE

Timmy Fogarty was 4 years old when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabe tes, an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-making cells in the pancreas that regulate blood sugar levels.

N ow, the 8-year-old, Princess Anne Elementary School second-grader is an old pro at checking his blood sugar and giving himself insulin injections.

He's also a role model for his 6-year-old sister, Y vo nne, a kindergartner at Princess Anne Elementary. Like her brother, she was 4 when it was discovered that she had the disorder as well.

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Web site, ww w.jdrf.org, approximately 3 million Americans may have Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes which causes them to be dependent on insulin injections.

According to S ally Berry, a nurse at Princess Anne Elementary, it's not often that two children in one family have the disorder. Thankfully, Timmy, Yvonne and their parents, Debbie and Tim Fogarty, have Berry and other Virginia Beach City Public School nurses on their side through the Friends with Diabetes Support Group.

The group, started approximately 20 years ago by a sch ool nurse, is sponsored by school nurs es, said Berry, i ts coordinator. During the school year, membe rs generally meet the last Thursday even ing of each month at Princess Anne Elementary to become more informed about juvenile diabetes, share tips, and to provide a networ k for one another.

Professionals, such as dietitians, podiatrists and pediatric endocrinologists, are also invited to speak on topics of concern for peopl e with the disease.

Duri ng a recent meeting, children gathered in the school cafeteria to do craf ts and play games that taught about nutrition, such as how to count carboh ydrates in foods, while parents and nurses met in the library.

Having other parents and professionals available to answer their questions is a relief to parents, said Tim Fogarty, especially if they've just learned their child has Type 1 diabetes.

"You definitely hav e a lot of 'what ifs?' " Debbie Fo garty said. Another plus, ac cording to Tim Fogarty, is getting reassurance that it's not your fault.

Carl and Mary Jo Pitt began attending four years ago so their daughter Kristeen, now a Centerville Elementary School fifth-grader, could meet other kids with diabetes.

At first, Carl Pitt said, "It's overwhelming." N ow they can help other pa rents, he said, like Cyndy Pugh. Pu gh's 6-year-old daughter, Natalie, a Point O' Vie w Elementary School kindergartner, w as diagnosed in April.

Holly Hufton, who has a third- grader at Woodstock Elementary, said the partnership with school nurse Kathy Phillips and other parents and nurses is invaluable. While it's not fai r that her son has juvenile diabetes, Hufton said, "I know my kid's going to be okay."

Berry said Friends with Diabetes is for the "whole school system," and newcomers are always welcome. Anyone interested is inv ited to the group's end-of year picnic June 1 at Woodstock Park.

Cyndi Kight, kightcw@yahoo.com