It is always exciting to see one of “our own” — a diabetes blogger and advocate — find success offline. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the publication of a new book, Kids First, Diabetes Second by Leighann Calentine, the author of D-Mom Blog and mom to Quinn, a 7-year-old PWD who was diagnosed with type 1 four years ago. Like many of us, Leighann started blogging to share support and information, and now she’s expanding her supportive efforts through her new book.
Although I’m not a parent of a CWD, I think this book covers the right balance of practical information on tactics and tips for managing diabetes along with how to deal with the emotional burden of raising a child with diabetes. When I was a child growing up with diabetes, I certainly never wanted to be singled out for a disease that I didn’t ask for, and I appreciate how my parents tried to make sure I didn’t miss out on anything. If you’re struggling with how to do that, Leighann definitely has some tips for you.
The book focuses mostly on Leighann’s own personal experience. It isn’t co-written with a diabetes educator or endocrinologist, so we have to add a caveat that this shouldn’t be taken as prescriptive. Like anything written about diabetes — even presented by a medical expert — your diabetes may vary, but since this is written by a non-expert, you should definitely keep that in mind.
Photo by Jeff Hitchcock
But that doesn’t mean Leighann doesn’t offer lots of help from very experienced folks; she includes a wide array of guest contributors, including diabetes educator Gary Scheiner, life coach Ginger Vieira, D-blogger Kelly Kunik, and also… me! (Disclosure: I’m a contributor to this book.) You’ll find me talking about the do’s and don’ts of finding a babysitter when your child has diabetes. Other topics Leighann covers include dealing with sick days, holidays and school parties, and coping with the inevitable emotional impact of this stressful and never-ending disease.
While at the recent Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conference, I had the opportunity to sit down with Leighann and Quinn, where we talked about Leighann’s inspiration for writing a book and her advice for other parents. And don’t miss the part where Quinn chimes in with her own words of wisdom for other kids with diabetes!
Kids First, Diabetes Second is available on Amazon for $15.95.
The DMBooks Giveaway
Once again we’re giving you the chance to win a free copy of our latest book reviewed. We have two copies of Kids First, Diabetes Second to give away, so if you’d like to win one, check out the instructions below.
Entering the giveaway is as easy as leaving a comment!
Here’s what to do:
1. Post your comment below and include the codeword “DMBooks” somewhere in the comment (beginning, end, in parenthesis, in bold, whatever). That will let us know that you would like to be entered in the giveaway. You can still leave a comment without entering, but if you want to be considered to win the book, please remember to include “DMBooks.”
2. You have until Friday, July 20, at 5pm PST to enter. A valid email address is required to win.
3. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.
4. The winner will be announced on Facebook and Twitter on Monday, July 23, so make sure you’re following us! We like to feature our winners in upcoming blog posts, too.
The giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere. Best of luck!
Can’t wait to read this book (DMBooks!!!!!!), as we approach the end of our first year, find myself wondering how to handle lots of new things coming in kindergarten for our T1!!
DMBooks. My daughter loves reading and watching Q and her mom online. This book would a great surprise!
DMBooks. I would love to have a chance to win this book! I can think of many people I would pass this along to after I read it!
My daughter is type 1 and I would love to have this DMBooks.
Would love to win a copy of Leighann’s book! My daughter and I love Q and her Mom! Thank you for the chance! (DMBooks)
We are thankful for the d-mom blog, it is helpful to our d-family everyday. So glad Leighann now has a book! (DMBooks)
DMBooks I would love to get a copy. My cousin’s son was diagnosed recently and being a single mom, I’m sure she would love the additional insight.
We’ve almost made it through to our first Diaversary (July 25). I still have so much to learn and I can’t wait to read this book! (DMBooks)
We’ve been at this for almost 3 years. Would love a copy of the book!
DMBooks
Jenn and Ella (9 T1D)
DSM BOOKS awesome video!
I’m very interested in reading this book! DMBooks
DM books. Will be good hearing it from a mother’s point of view.
DMBooks I like books that address the social/emotional aspects of living with T1D.
I love to see books like these written by non-professionals. It gives us all a fresh look at the daily lives of those who have to suffer under the ravages of a disease that is not fun to think about.
I like to hear the perspective of the actual people and families that have to deal with this problem – as well as the unique ways they find to cope.
Sometimes the precious tidbits of information that are found are just what someone needs and you may not find such gems in a strictly
‘professional’ book.
Thanks for reporting on this
[...] on over to Diabetes Mine to read the review, watch the video, and enter to [...]
DMBooks. We would be so thankful if we could get a copy of this book! Thank you!
[...] out this great video interview at DiabetesMine with Quinn and [...]
We would love to read and review Kids first, Diabetes second! Dmbooks
DMbooks. Sounds like a wonderful book with lots of helpful info!
Thanks for the give away
DMBOOKS – I am really excited to read this book, as an Outreach Manager at JDRF, I would love to read this book and encourage our families to checkout your book. DMBOOKS!
I would love to win this. My T1d son is 3 and starts preschool in about a month. Eeeek. “DMBooks”
DMBooks – I am looking foward to reading this book!
Would love to read this DMBOOKS
DMBooks….As a single woman raising my Type 1 grand daughter i could sure use a few tips right about now, diagnosed 3 years ago everything has been going smoothly, until recently, i think were hitting some rebellion against this disease, that point where she’s just tired and wants a break, sure could use some tips on how to help her from a parents perspective, ive heard everything the Dr’s and nurses say at her visits and it’s not changing, i’m sure it’s a phase alot of the kids go through but sometimes i feel like i’m saying or doing the wrong things to help her.
As a mother of an 8 year old daughter diagnosed 6 months ago with type 1 I would love any tips and advice on coping and living with this disease!!! DM books!!
My daughter was diagnosed 9 months ago at age 4. I would really love to win a copy of this book, as I am sure it has a lot of useful information for this new d-mom!! DMBOOKS!!!
DMBOOKS!!! D-mom blog has been a lifesaver for me, both for info and a laugh. my son is 8 and six months in as type 1
Very interested in this book. I think that anyone that has walked in our shoes deserves our time of reading what they have taken the time to write…DMBooks!!!
This book looks great and to get a parents view on diabetic camping would definitely help me with my skills at being an expert diabetic camper.
Thanks,
Dave Hennesey
http://www.TheDiabeticCamper.blogspot.com
I would love to win this book. I love d blog. It helps me.” DMBOOK”
I love hearing others stories. I don’t feel so lonely.
Would love to read this book. (DMBOOK) My daughter who has T1D is getting ready to start Kindergarten next month!
I would love to have a copy(DMBook)!!! My 19 month old just got diagnosed a month and half ago!
DM BOOKS! I love reading testimonials from parents dealing with diabetes or their childre with diabetes.
Looking forward to reading this book, DS 8 was dx in april 2012, any help I can get would be fantastic! DMBooks.
DMBooks – we love her blog!!!!
Would love a chance to win a copy of Leighanne’s book! DMBooks!
DMBOOKS!!! I would love to read this book. I have had Type 1 for 18 years and now my 3 year old daughter has it. She was diagnosed at 17 months. I would love for more useful information. I was diagnosed at 13 and having someone so little with it is even harder.
Thanks for a chance to win a copy of the new book. DMBooks
We are only 10 months into our new normal and I would love to read “Kids First, Diabetes Second” from DMBooks.
DMBooks! Want! To! Win!
I read a few of the excerpts from Kids First, Diabetes Second…..I definitly won’t be able to get through each chapter without bawling my eyes out. My daughter was diagnosed in Dec. 10′ one month after her baby sister was born….your blog has definitly helped me get through. Thanks Leighann, you are truely an inspiration.
“DMBooks”
I am so excited to read this book!! D-Mom Blog has been a staple for me since my daughter was diagnosed at age 2. It has been comforting to me to know that there ARE people who understand and “get it’! Thanks for sharing your experiences!! DMBooks rocks!
I am still barely treading water in the T1 world. I started following the D-Mom Blog about a month or so ago. It has been wonderful for me. My daughter, Charlotte, is 6 years old and diagnosed in February. It was the scariest day of my life! She was in DKA and we had no idea! I just could no wake her up. After a week in the PICU, we are home trying to cope with our new reality. I’ve done some reading, but I would love to read this book too! Using the DMBooks, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be reading this sooner than I thought! Thank you so much for this giveaway! And to all those living with CWD, thank you!
I would love to win this contest…..DMBooks…..Diabetes is hard and any information to help make life easier would be great…..
DMBooks!
We also follow Q & her Mom, and would love to read the book. Thanks for reporting on this! 
August will be 6 years for our family dealing with type 1…I would love to read this book (DMBOOKS) …thanks for the chance to win one
Dmbooks. Would love to read another parents perspective. Always helps knowing what others experiences are.
Thank you for writing this book. Your blog has been a very valuable resource for me the last 18 mos. I can’t wait to read the book. (DMBOOKS)
[...] While we were at Friends For Life we also had a chance to catch up with my friend Allison Blass. She interviewed us for Diabetes Mine. Allison writes a sidebar in the book about finding the elusive babysitter for your T1 child. It can be done, she assures us. If you would like to hear Allison’s thoughts on the book, check out her post on Diabetes Mine: D-Mom Says: “Kids First, Diabetes Second.” [...]
DMy Son Has Been delt A pretty Crappy Hand Of Cards In His Short 3 Years Of Life. He had To Have Surgery When He Was 3 Weeks Old To Correct Pyloricstinosis, At 18Months He Was PutiIn The Hospital For Blood In His StooL, At 2 He Had To Be Brought In And Have A Picc Line Put In For Iv Meds For Staph Infection In His Knew And Now At 3 Just Before Christmas Was Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes. He Doesn’t Understand Why All This Is Happening To Him But He Has Taken Everything So Well. I Really Think This Book Would Help Us Out. DMbooks