Mirly family will participate in fourth diabetes walk

The Mirlys of Cape Girardeau know more about diabetes than they ever wanted to learn. They got a crash course on the subject when 10-year-old Bethany was diagnosed with the disease four years ago.

"We spent three days at St. Louis Children's Hospital immediately after her diagnosis," said Bethany's mother, Tonia. "It was education for Bethany and us, pretty intense. We had to learn it all quickly."

To show their support, about 15 to 20 of Bethany's family and friends will be participating in the America's Walk for Diabetes coming up Oct. 5 at Cape County Park North. Their team is called "Bethany's Believers."

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body uses food. It causes blood glucose levels -- blood sugar -- to be too high. About 17 million Americans have some type of diabetes.

Before her diagnosis, Bethany had been exhibiting common symptoms of diabetes such as frequent urination, excessive thirst and excessive hunger. A trip to the doctor confirmed she had Type I diabetes.

At first, Bethany was afraid she wouldn't be able to eat sweets at all, but the Mirlys discovered that was not true. Though the fourth-grader doesn't get to eat exactly what she wants when she wants, she can eat every type of food. Her intake must be strictly monitored, however.

"The biggest change is that our life is now scheduled around her meal time. She has to eat breakfast between 7 and 8 a.m., lunch between 12 and 1, and supper between 5 and 6," Tonia said. "There is no sleeping in anymore, and sometimes sports conflicts with her schedule, but we work through it."

Bethany also eats a mid-morning, an after school and a bedtime snack. Her favorite bedtime treat is chocolate ice cream or an ice cream sundae. But the snack she gets depends somewhat on her blood-sugar level at that time.

According to Bethany, having diabetes hasn't changed her life much. It hasn't limited her activities such as basketball, ballet, Girl Scouts, reading and art. However, Bethany doesn't participate in sleepovers at other people's homes because of the insulin shots her mom must give her twice a day. And no other kid at Bethany's school checks their own blood sugar at least four times each day.

Bethany also goes to the doctor once every four months for a checkup, and having diabetes complicates matters when Bethany does get sick, her mother said. Bethany carries candy bars and juice boxes in her purse. Her school stores such items as well.

"Having diabetes has made me be more responsible for myself, and I have learned to speak up for myself when I feel low. I was a little bit shy about that in the beginning," Bethany said.

jgosche@semissourian.com

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