BY DAWN PRIEBE
Special to the Clarkston News
Students in Carrie Ouellette’s kindergarten class at North Sashabaw Elementary have been asking lots of questions since the beginning of the school year, but not just about their ABC’s.
Rather, ‘what is juvenile diabetes? and ‘why does Talin’s mommy have to come in and poke his finger everyday??
They are referring to their classmate Talin Mills, who was diagnosed last August with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes during his routine school physical.
‘We had absolutely no idea that he was struggling with this,? said Talin’s father, Scott. ‘He was active, playful and never exhibited any of the typical warning signs juvenile diabetics usually do. It came as a complete shock.?
Ouellette has taken this opportunity to teach her children about empathy for their classmate and turned counting carbs into math problems.
‘The first half of the year we explained to the children Talin had diabetes and have answered questions as they have come up,? Ouellette said. ‘Our class made the decision to go the healthy route for our classroom parties and instead of having treats and sweets we have celebrated with popcorn, water, jello and fruit.?
This has come as a huge relief for the Mills family.
‘We can’t thank the families enough for their willingness to adapt.? said Stacey, Talin’s mother. ‘Instead of Talin having to feel like the odd man out who can’t enjoy cookies and treats, the entire class has adopted a healthy way of celebrating that everyone can enjoy.?
Ouellette, who has been teaching kindergarten at North Sashabaw for 13 years, said Talin is her first student diagnosed with diabetes. She is taking full advantage of the learning opportunity ? students will learn about healthy food versus junk food, work on math problems incorporating counting carbs, and listen to books and watch short clips to learn about diabetes. She has also invited guest speakers to come into the classroom to talk about diabetes, and help students create a presentation and posters to teach others about diabetes as well.
‘In November, I made the decision for the second half of the school year we would do a Service Learning Project focused on doing something for the children at Beaumont Hospital diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes,? said Ouellette. ‘After learning about Talin, the students in my class wanted to do something for children diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes.”
She contacted Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. They said they need more medical ID bracelets. The class is now making them.
“Once we come up with a plan the students will carry it out and I will find a way to integrate it into our curriculum,” she said. “We will have a celebration in which we will present the bracelets to Beaumont.? Then, we will reflect on what we have learned through the whole process.?
Cora Randolph, vice president of the North Sashabaw Student Leadership Team, is also busy helping her students raise funds and awareness for the “Team Talin Juvenile Diabetes Doggie” Go Fund Me Page.
Talin’s target blood sugar number for his age is 150 which fluctuates randomly throughout the day with 300 being deadly high and 60 being terribly low.
‘He can be 40 one minute and I am waiting for him to pass out on the floor and 400 within 20 minutes,? said Stacey. ‘It’s frightening and Talin is still too young to understand how he’s actually feeling, we rely heavily on finger pokes, glucose meters and insulin shots.?
She recently learned about the benefits of having a trained diabetes service dog while doing some research on a local website. Dogs are trained to recognize extreme highs and lows diabetics suffer and are life savers by alerting sleeping families to go get a juice box or a blood sugar meter. Dogs are also trained to call 9-1-1 if no one is available and the diabetic has lost consciousness.
‘The outpouring of support from both friends and complete strangers has been overwhelming,? said Stacey.
Talin’s page raised over $3,000 in the first week the site was posted.
‘When I found out about the Go Fund Me site I had the idea to share it with the Student Leadership Team,” said Randolph. ‘I’m looking forward to working with our leadership team to help Talin raise more money to fund his service dog.? I think it is awesome the dog will help his mom and dad monitor his blood sugar. I’ll be sharing my ideas with our leadership team at our next meeting.?
In the meantime, Talin continues to brave his finger pokes, insulin shots and manages to find some joy in his new diagnosis.
‘When I first met Talin, I was a kindergarten safety,? Randolph shared. ‘I help the kindergartners get ready to go home and sometimes in the lunch room. One of the days I was helping him he had his medical information bracelet on and he showed it to me and said it gives him super powers. I thought it was so cute.?
For additional information on the benefits of Service Learning Diabetes Dogs or are interested in supporting Talin, please visit his Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/mrongc.