Way back when I wrote a blog post about the important role communications play in making sure my 10-year old son Manny is safe no matter where he is--because of his diagnosis of juvenile diabetes this past February. I thought it was time for an update to share some of the important lessons I have learned since then, which have actually impacted my professional life.
For the past 6 months his current intake of insulin was via shots. This meant that each day in addition to his frequent blood sugar checks (6-10 times/day) he also received around 6 to 8 insulin shots per day. After his diagnosis these shots were given the traditional way with a lot of syringes and vials.
After that he graduated to insulin pens. The pens are definitely easier to use but at the end of the day they were still shots. And we were still administering a lot of them as he continues to grow as little boys do.
The past few months Manny decided to take the next step and move to the insulin pump. After weeks of agonizing which pump was the coolest ... he made his decision. Overall the pump is certainly much better and an easier way to deliver the insulin. Manny is continuously connected to a palm-sized pump he carries which delivers insulin through the catheter. With each meal his current blood sugar syncs with the pump and then he manually punches in the amount of carbs he ate ...the pump then delivers. You can imagine what a relief this is given the amount of food Manny eats, and boy does that kid eat. No more shots.
However, every three days we have to use a quite elaborate system to insert the catheter. Think of a stapler held against the skin that pokes in about 6 mm. For all of us this process has been a learning curve. You have to grab enough of his "fat" which is hardly existent and then use the inserter. Every three days we re-do this process which can be extremely nerve-wracking. And yes, we've had a few mishaps along the way when all of us end up in tears.
So what have I learned so far that helps me in my day-to-day business life at Red Shoes PR? Here it is:
Confidence - I never thought I would be able to give my own child shots, much less insert a catheter. With this new level of confidence, anything is possible when it comes to my business.
Perspective - With all the things that can go wrong in my day-to-day at the office, it still pales in comparison to the daily battle he fights.
Attitude - I have noticed considerably that my attitude directly impacts his attitude. If my hands shake when inserting the catheter, he gets nervous. I've noticed the same impact when I am in the office: my attitude can have a direct impact on my team.
Appreciation - For the simple things in life like watching Manny run down the basketball court with energy. At the office, sometimes it's those unplanned meetings which include a lot of laughter. Music to my ears.
These are my gifts from Manny. I hope you can find use for them, too.
