Re: Diabetic Scout
JASON CRUSE (jcruse@DU.EDU)
Sun, 10 Nov 1996 07:54:39 -0700
> 1. Obviously his Patrol, and to a certain extent the whole Troop, will
> have to change cooking styles (which isn't the worst thing since a diabetic
> diet is a lot healthier than what we usually eat). Are there any good
> diabetic camp recipes out there? How about advice on converting some Troop
> favorites? (Although I don't think their favorite chocolate-cherry cake
> will survive). This came at a good time for us; because of the holidays we
> don't have a campout until January.
Wait until he gets out of the hospital to worry about diet. Diabetes
varies from person to person, as does their diet. There are many good
diabetic cookbooks on the market. And, as we've discussed before, there
is very, very little that CAN'T be made on a campout. This may give you
a chance to add new things to your troop repertoire!
Don't assume anything about his diet until you've talked with him. For
example, some diabetics can't even have natural fruit sugars (pectin,
etc), but NOT ALL. Some are on a very restricted diet, others not. Wait
for the boy and the father to talk to you.
>
> 2. His father is going to sit down with us and tell us what we need to
> know and watch for but are there any special conditions or circumstances
> that the father or doctor might not think of but that might show up in a
> Scouting activity?
>
Check with the American Diabetes Association, and talk to them. They
will give you more information than you could possible imagine.
Also, look up some stuff about first aid for diabetes (diabetic shock,
for example) and add that to the teaching fo first aid in your troop.
Everyone should know what to do if this happens.
Your diabetic may need to watched at the very beginning, especially if he
has to take insulin. Camp schedules may need to be modified to allow him
time to give himself an injection, for example. He may get tired more
easily. He will have to have food with him wherever he goes, because he
will have to have snacks in the morning and late afternoon.
Above all, though, don't draw much attention to it. Don't single him
out as being THE reason for the changes. Just make them. Think of him
as a regular member of the troop, with a couple of small things
necessary. Since each diabetic is different, this will be a growing and
learning experience for you, the boy, and his family. Make it fun!
> 3. Are there any other diabetic Scouts out there who could offer him a
> few words of encouragement. This is quite an upheaval in his life and I
> know he is apprehensive. Hearing from other kids might help. His name is
> Josh; if you email me I will pass it on.
When I first became scoutmaster, I had a diabetic boy. My grandmother
also died of complications from diabetes (complete internal organ
failure) when I was 18. I would be happy to write to this boy, but he
may rather hear from another boy, not another adult.
Jason
--
Jason A. Cruse
University of Denver
(303) 321-4970
FAX 321-4947
jcruse@du.edu
"Toujours en avant. Si Dieu avait voulu que l'homme reculat, il lui
aurait mis un oeil derriere la tete."
-Victor Hugo
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
