by Ashleigh Sanchez
Daily Lobo
Caleb Trotter's life changed last week when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
His mother, Nicole, said they got support from church members and Caleb's school, but the diagnosis is difficult to handle.
"He's dealing with it great," she said. "He was giving himself his own injections after a few days. But I'm just going through the motions - doing what I'm told. I don't understand the disease at all."
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Caleb, 12, participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Halloween Carnival on Saturday at the College of Pharmacy.
The event was hosted by UNM's chapter of the American Pharmacy Association's Academy of Student Pharmacists. It was sponsored by Tri-Core Reference Laboratories.
Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile-onset diabetes, makes antibodies that destroy insulin-producing cells in the
pancreas.
Insulin acts as a key to our cells, unlocking them to let in sugar. Without insulin, sugar builds in the bloodstream, while the cells starve.
"Halloween can be a rough time on kids with diabetes, with all the candy," event organizer Pree Sarangarm said.
The carnival provided sugar-free cookies, punch and lemonade, as well as veggie and fruit trays.
"We want to promote health and community in a safe environment," she said. "The parents love it. The kids love it. It's such a fun time."
Trotter said the carnival helped get the family's mind off Caleb's diagnosis.
"I worry about how he's going to handle it in his rebellious teenager stage," she said. "But he's a really good kid. I think he'll be fine."
