When Writing Gets Derailed: Having A Child With Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is challenging, frustrating, and life-changing. Each Tuesday, Colleen Mitchell and Jessie Tuggey, life-long diabetics, talk about real life with Type 1 on the This is Type 1 Podcast, discussing the impact it makes on their lives without defining them.
I had the opportunity to be interviewed on this fantastic podcast, speaking as a mom of a child with Type 1 Diabetes. My daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in kindergarten, on Dec. 27, 2013, and it turned our lives upside down. I’m sharing this on the Shortcuts for Writers blog as this event derailed my writing career for awhile and I lost my desire to write and advance my career.
I know many authors in the Shortcuts for Writers: Editing Made Simple Facebook group have shared situations where life took a distressing turn and they had to put writing on the backburner. Unfortunately, sometimes that happens. It is important to do what’s necessary to cope during difficult times and remember that when things settle down, you can ease back into your writing routine.
During the interview with Colleen and Jessie, we discussed how my family got through the anger and sadness, and navigated this scary new world of needles, finger pricks, insulin pumps, technology not then approved for kids, carb counting, and unsympathetic endocrinology nurses.
We talked about the worst parts and best parts of diabetes (yes, there have been some silver linings!), technology advances, diabetes symptoms and what to do if doctors brush off the early warning signs (which happened with us.)
We also discussed how this diagnosis halted my writing career until the publication of a lighthearted Cinderella story that symbolized an acceptance of our new normal. Once I had a handle on diabetes, I was able to stop obsessing over it and focus on things like creating my online course for writers, Book Editing Blueprint: A Step-By-Step Plan To Making Your Novels Publishable.
You can listen to the episode about having a child with Type 1 Diabetes at this link, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
If you have Type 1, know someone with Type 1, or just want to learn more about this incurable condition, the This is Type 1 Podcast is for you.
Hi there! I’m Stacy Juba, an author, freelance editor, and the founder of Shortcuts for Writers. I’d love to connect. If you’re a writer, here’s how we can work together:Â
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