Panther Camp 2013

Zane enjoyed another week at Panther Camp this past week (camp for kids 4-14 with Type 1 Diabetes).  He had a blast again!  I volunteered again this year (but it'll be my last), but was not in Zane's group, so didn't get too many pics of him.  He was having too much fun to find good ol' mom to have his picture taken!  He was always so excited to see me when he did, but basically just to rub it in my face how much fun he was having!  I am so happy that he is able to go and enjoy himself and be with other kids going through his same daily routines.

Opening assembly (that's Luke sitting next to him)!

Zane & Claire (another good friend outside of camp).

"The Pinkies" - this was the group I was with all week!
The most adorable 4-6 year old girls you ever did see!

Zane with a few of his buds from "The Blue Boys"!

Camp is a little tiring!

Checking out all of the loot he scored from camp!
At the end of camp they come home with new backpacks just filled to the
brim of great toys and books!

A cute little video of The Blue Boys and The Pinkies at the closing ceremony!

Zane doesn't let his diabetes get in the way of anything - he is unstoppable.  He doesn't act like it even really bothers him to have it (yet), he doesn't seem bothered by anyone asking him questions about it or what different things on his body are (his CGM sensor or his pump) and he doesn't seem to consider himself different than any other kid on the playground...but the fact of the matter is - he is.  He is different, he has to go through trials and tribulations than most of any of the kids he hangs out with - no one at his school knows what it feels like to poke their finger 10 times a day, no one else at his school knows what it feels like to not be able to lift your hand because your blood sugar is so low that you feel like it weighs 100lbs - hell, WE don't even know what any of that feels like for him.  There will be a day when these "differences" will bother him and will upset him and will frustrate and anger him - I want him to have these camp experiences now so when those times do come - he can think back to his weeks at camp and remember he isn't alone and remember there are other kids doing/going through exactly what he is and can hopefully turn to them when he needs to and when mom and dad are no help in understanding.  Thankfully, he has made a very good friend (Luke) who also has Type 1 that we see quite regularly - so that is definitely helpful - those two are very good for each other and I hope they stay friends for life!

I have decided not to volunteer next year - two years was enough for me!  It will be good for Zane to go "alone" and experience camp without mom near by!  He's excited for the adventure!  But now that I'm not volunteering, we have to actually pay for him to go - I need to start saving now...unless someone has $400 they want to donate to Zane for a good cause :)