By Mary Owen
Recently diagnosed with diabetes, a Sublimity Middle School seventh-grader talks about educating others on the disease in a short video, Hope for the Future, that debuted this month as part of “The Promise of Oregon” campaign.
“Education means a lot to me, because it just helps me think ‘I can do this, I’m not going to fail, I’ve got this!’” said Kaitlin Sandall, a 12-year-old who lives with her parents Allison and Josh, 9-year-old brother Jacob, and the family’s three dogs, including her own pup, Boo.
Kaitlin wants to be a diabetes educator or dietitian when she grows up.
“When I was diagnosed, I met both these people while I was at the hospital,” she said. They taught me so much and helped me be ready to go home and handle diabetes. I want to be able to do that for other kids.”
Diabetes is so normal to Kaitlin now, she said, she doesn’t even remember what it was like not to have the disease.
“I don’t ever get a break from it, but it is just pretty much a part of my day to test my blood sugar, figure out my carbs, dose my insulin, and adjust things when my blood sugar is high or low,” she said. “Sometimes it’s frustrating when I have to sit out of activities with low blood sugar, or wake up in the middle of the night to test.”
Whenever someone is curious, Kaitlin takes the opportunity to share what it’s like living with diabetes.
“A lot of people I know assume I can’t eat sugar or that I got diabetes because I ate too much sugar in the first place,” she said. “I can eat anything I want as long as I take insulin when I eat. I wear an insulin pump that is connected to my body, and I carry around a blood glucose meter.
“I would love to be able to talk with newly diagnosed kids while they are in the hospital,” she added. “My mom and I are brainstorming ways we can volunteer or offer to help.”
Sharing about diabetes on her video makes her feel grateful, Kaitlin said.
“Some people at school have said that they liked it,” she said. “My family was excited to see it and called to say they are proud of me.”
The Promise of Oregon campaign aims to create public support for K-14 education, to help meet the state’s 20-49-20 goals and lift student achievement and graduation rates, said Mary Richards with the North Santiam School District.
Kaitlin wants others living with diabetes to know, “Your life can still be normal even if you aren’t like everyone else. Don’t let it get you down.”
“In the video, Kaitlin describes how for the past year she has faced her diagnosis, and hopes to use her education to move into a career allowing her to help other diabetics or search for a cure for the disease,” Richards said.
“She also shares how she expresses herself through writing and dancing.”
Kaitlin affirms her favorite activity is dancing, and is in her third year on the Valley Starlights Dance Team.
“I also like to write stories and draw,” she said.
Several students from Sublimity Middle and Sublimity Elementary shared their future goals on the Promise of Oregon website. From SMS, Caitlin Baker on Feb. 19 said, “I’m going to pursue the highest level of law that is humanly possible.”
On March 16, SMS-student Greyson Hanowell shared, “I’m going to provide the healthiest food for Oregon to eat.” SME student Riley Hamilton shared on Jan. 26, “I’m going to own my own tow truck company.”
To see all the students’ comments and to view Kaitlin’s video, visit promiseoregon.org.
