My Thoughts about A Future with Hope by Carl Armato
As promised… I want to tell you guys all about the book I just finished reading - “A Future with Hope” by Carl Armato. I went through a plethora of emotions reading it. I started it when Amelia was sick and I was sitting with her on the couch for most of the day, so I started out reading it aloud to her. The first chapter started with a conversation the author had with a diabetic teen. From what I hear, the teen years are trying for kids dealing with Type 1. They don’t want to think about it. They want to give up and they just want to fit in. As I was reading Carl’s words to the teen out loud to Amelia, my voice began to shake and the tears started to flow:
“You’ve got to support your supporters. I’m no hero. The heroes in my life are my parents and the people who supported me. Those are your heroes too. They’re the ones who watch and make sure you’re ok, so they’re the ones to listen to. You need to support your supporters: love them, appreciate them and, above all, listen to them. And do it like your life depends on it.”
Amelia asked why I was crying. I told her that reading someone else’s experience, when it’s similar to your own, sometimes makes you emotional. Hearing those words struck a chord. As a parent to a Type 1, you just do what you have to do for your child. There’s really no thinking about what it means. It’s like being thrown into the deep end of the pool not knowing how to swim. You figure it out. You don’t do it and expect recognition or appreciation. You just swim because your child’s life depends on it. Honestly, I’m more emotional about it all now than I was a year ago. I haven’t had time to really reflect because I’ve been too busy learning, too busy worrying if what I’m doing is right. The author talks a lot about support. Support is 100% necessary for a successful life with diabetes and it comes from ALL directions – from parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, the school nurse, the bus driver, coaches and the doctors. While I’m thinking of it I want to thank YOU for being a part of our solid web of support.
The book continues on. Carl talks of his life experiences, of his amazing family who supported him, of scary low blood sugar episodes, of the changes in technology and advancements in diabetes management and of the way he’s been treated because of his diabetes. One particular story that stands out was that once his middle school basketball coach found out he was a diabetic he went from a starting star player to a bench warmer. Even though the coach thought he was showing concern for his player, Carl resented the fact that he was missing out because of his disease. He begged his Mom to let him keep his diabetes hidden and she let him make that choice. This experience set the tone for a good portion of his life. He didn’t want his diabetes to hinder his career or change peoples’ opinions of him. He strived to be the best at every single thing he did, just to prove to himself that he could be the best at anything even though he had diabetes. Through all his success he kept it hidden for a long time, until just a few years ago.
It was eye opening to read the chapter that talked more about how NOT to be toward those with diabetes, from a diabetic’s angle. He encourages others to not always ask about diabetes, to not focus on the disease but instead focus on the person. Never call out a person for what they are eating, after all, you wouldn’t dare say, “Should you really be eating that?” to someone who may happen to be overweight, so why would you say it to anyone at all? True supporters will never see you as a burden.
At one point reading the book I had a little breakdown. Carl was talking about how people have said some crazy insensitive things to him over the years, sometimes because of their own ignorance. An eye doctor actually told him he should choose a career that didn’t require eyesight because he’d probably end up blind. Who says that, let alone a doctor?! Just hearing the things that have been said to him over the years was overwhelming. I know Amelia will encounter ignorance and judgment in her life and I just want to take it away from her. I sat there and thought, “Why her? Why did she get this disease? Give it to me instead!” I don’t know why she was chosen, but I have to trust there’s a reason.
I can’t help but imagine all the good that has happened since Carl opened up about his diabetes. He has given inspiring speeches about his experiences and how without diabetes he doesn’t know if he would have been as driven and successful. He has given words of encouragement to others living with the disease that who knows, may have saved a life. He has spread awareness about Type 1 Diabetes and inspired those affected by it. Only GOOD things have come from being transparent about his challenges and triumphs and I’m thankful to have read his story. Click HERE to pick up a copy for yourself.