Hi my name is Richard and I am Nicholas dad. My wife ( Jennifer )
and I have been together for 12yrs. Nicholas was born in August
1995, 8 lbs 2oz. All was well until 1999 when the was diagnosed with
diabetes. I hate needles but I had to stay in the hospital till I could give
him insulin shots. Learning how to count carbs for his food was ok.
Then trying to get him in daycare was a chore. No one wanted to
have to test his sugar levels. Nicholas and mom went on the TVnews
and they help us get him into daycare.
In August 2000 Nicholas started school. His teacher started to notice
that he was not paying attention. An the school nurse did a eye test
and said he is having problems. So over the summer 2001 we
confirmed that he had ADHD and eye problems. By the end of that
year Nicholas was diagnosed with Stargardt's ( Juvenile Macular
Degeneration ).
It's like now what. At that time we were like he has diabetes isn't that
enough. No now he has to lose his eye sight.
We got him into a good public school that had a nurse on staff all the
time and they could teach him how to braille and walk with a cane.
Then of course when you think all is going well, here comes October
2002. First seizure that was not diabetic related. Now Epilepsy.
For the next two years we had night terrors, scared of the drains in
the bathtub. Eye sight completely gone. Doctors saying that he could
be Bipolar. We even tried to get him in the school for the deaf and
blind in Florida. (He is not deaf.) No they would not take him cause he
has an insulin pump. The insulin pump has been the BEST thing for
his diabetes.
In May 2004 Jennifer and I made a tuff decision. It was our 10 yr
anniversary and we wanted to renew our vows in Las Vegas. We left
Nicholas with grandma for four days.
and I have been together for 12yrs. Nicholas was born in August
1995, 8 lbs 2oz. All was well until 1999 when the was diagnosed with
diabetes. I hate needles but I had to stay in the hospital till I could give
him insulin shots. Learning how to count carbs for his food was ok.
Then trying to get him in daycare was a chore. No one wanted to
have to test his sugar levels. Nicholas and mom went on the TVnews
and they help us get him into daycare.
In August 2000 Nicholas started school. His teacher started to notice
that he was not paying attention. An the school nurse did a eye test
and said he is having problems. So over the summer 2001 we
confirmed that he had ADHD and eye problems. By the end of that
year Nicholas was diagnosed with Stargardt's ( Juvenile Macular
Degeneration ).
It's like now what. At that time we were like he has diabetes isn't that
enough. No now he has to lose his eye sight.
We got him into a good public school that had a nurse on staff all the
time and they could teach him how to braille and walk with a cane.
Then of course when you think all is going well, here comes October
2002. First seizure that was not diabetic related. Now Epilepsy.
For the next two years we had night terrors, scared of the drains in
the bathtub. Eye sight completely gone. Doctors saying that he could
be Bipolar. We even tried to get him in the school for the deaf and
blind in Florida. (He is not deaf.) No they would not take him cause he
has an insulin pump. The insulin pump has been the BEST thing for
his diabetes.
In May 2004 Jennifer and I made a tuff decision. It was our 10 yr
anniversary and we wanted to renew our vows in Las Vegas. We left
Nicholas with grandma for four days.
| Feburary 2 , 2006 |
| DADDY'S BIG GUY |
| Previous Page |
It is hard for me to write how I feel. You go day in and day out telling people you
are fine, but you are not. Knowing my son is going to die before me, hurts more
then most will ever know. Nicholas started on another downward slump and we are
not sure when it will stop. You get scared that when things like this happens, for
you do not know if this is it or not. I am so glad that Nicholas was able to meet his
hero Will Smith. I can't thank him enough for taking time out of his busy life to
meet Nicholas. The reaction we get when Nicholas hears Will Smith's movie and
music is Priceless.
are fine, but you are not. Knowing my son is going to die before me, hurts more
then most will ever know. Nicholas started on another downward slump and we are
not sure when it will stop. You get scared that when things like this happens, for
you do not know if this is it or not. I am so glad that Nicholas was able to meet his
hero Will Smith. I can't thank him enough for taking time out of his busy life to
meet Nicholas. The reaction we get when Nicholas hears Will Smith's movie and
music is Priceless.
1-13-08