“A month-long reality check into how out of control blood sugar impacts our perceptions of the world.”
Memory is a tricky thing for a diabetic child because high, low and shifting blood sugar levels interfere with memory. When blood sugar is high or conversely too low, a child will have a hard time recalling, retaining or remembering information until blood sugar levels return to normal.
When it happened to me, often no one caught it. I don’t blame anyone, except maybe myself at times. I knew enough to recognize adverse impacts of out of control blood sugars.
Who would know to test for sugar levels before a test or class in 1980 or even now unless someone pointed it out to him or her? So for the next 3-4 years, I was tutored in English, Reading and Writing as well as entering special education as a result of my high blood sugars.
So I started my journey through Mr. Kotter’s classroom. (for those of you who may recall the Special Education Class from a sitcom called “Welcome Back, Kotter” that ran from 1975-79) Having trouble reading and writing, when in reality I was merely experiencing High Blood Sugars.
To get help or for more information on Diabetes-Focused Psychotherapy go to Eliot’s website, or Facebook Page or set up a free 30-minute phone consultation.
Eliot LeBow, LCSW, CDE, is a diabetes-focused psychotherapist. His private practice, located in New York City and is also available via Skype. LeBow, who has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1977, treats the many diverse cognitive, behavioral, and emotional needs of people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Parenting Children with Diabetes 