Meet a Small Fry : Anthony

This month’s meet a Small Fry is dedicated to Diabetes Awareness, which begins the month of November. We heard about this little trooper Anthony who has Type 1 Diabetes and wanted to share his story! T1D is an autoimmune disease where the body’s pancreas produces little to no insulin. This is the kind that isn’t triggered by diet, age, or lifestyle. Only 5% of Diabetetics are Type 1, and some are young children just like our own boys. Anthony was diagnosed with T1D at a mere 18 months and since then as had 250+ injections and 6,500 finger pokes to test his blood sugar, Anthony is now three years old, and we’re proud to introduce him to you!

Meet a Small Fry

What is your name?

Anthony

How old are you?

Fwee (3)

Who is your mom?

Becky

What does your mom do?

She do da dishes

Who is your dad?

Garrett

What does your dad do?

My dad play wid me alot of time

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A missionary!

What is your favorite food?

um…. (pause) salad

What food do you not like?

I don’t like milk or any else

What is your favorite animal?

A monkey and a gorilla

Where do you want to live when you grow up?

Um, California

Who do you want to marry?

Aunt Dawn (Garrett’s sister)

What is your favorite song?

Dis song (Call Me Maybe is playing in the background)

What is your favorite movie?

Lightning McQueen

What is your favorite book?

What was I scared of? (by Dr. Seuss)

What would you buy with a million dollars?

Toys, only race cars

What do you dream about?

I dweam about… I dweam about… sharks

What are you scared of?

I’m scared of sharks

How would the world be different if animals could talk?

Just call me maybe

If you could give a gift to every child in the world, what would it be?

A racecar

What is your favorite place in the world?

Disneyland and Sea World

What is this? (Continuous Glucose Monitor)

It’s my CGM, my super CGM

What do we use your CGM for?

For we don’t get sick anymore

Meet a Small Fry

And because behind every child living with this type of day-to-day battle, is a mother praying every moment for their healthy and safety, here is what Becky has to say:

“Anthony is the greatest little boy I know. He is everything you expect a boy to be – passionate, high energy, and a lover of cars, puddles, dinosaurs, and balls. I melt when I am with him and love the way he snuggles next to me, greets me with a big hug and kiss on the lips, and whispers sweet nothings into my ear such as “you are so soft mama” and “I just love you so.” I call him my little hunk. Being Anthony’s mother has taught me perseverance, discipline, and unconditional love. Anthony was diagnosed with T1D when he was 19 months old. He is dependent on an outsource of insulin just to stay alive. Our world revolves around managing his blood sugar and trying to keep it in a healthy range. It is a responsibility you can never take a break from or never be too busy to care after. A year and a half into managing his diabetes l I feel like we have a good handle on things. But, I will never know what it feels like to experience the high’s and low’s of each day. That part breaks me. Anthony is still the happiest boy with the smiliest of eyes. He doesn’t flinch when we do his finger pokes and courageously says “Ok mommy, I weady” as I place his insulin pump site into his body and distract him with a game of Angry Birds. Day in and day out, he amazes me. I try to never stop him from doing anything he wants to just because of his diabetes. I want for him to know that he can do anything he sets his mind to do. I want for him to dream BIG because he can, and should. Although diabetes is a part of Anthony, I want for him to know that it does not define him. He inspires me daily, and is a tremendous source of happiness and strength for our family. I hope Anthony knows that I love every last ounce of him. I hope he knows that I wouldn’t change a single thing about him. I hope he knows that I am his #1 fan, and that I am so proud to be his mama.”

We are proud to know Anthony too! His family is part of the Triangle 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes, you can join their team or even just donate to their cause. We wish we could walk along side Anthony, but are so inspired by Becky and we hope you will join us to help them anyway you can! Happy Diabetes Awareness Month!

Images credits: Belize Meri Photography

9 Comments

  • Ligia
    October 30, 2013 at 10:34 am

    An adorable and inspiring little boy and family!

    Reply
  • Janssen
    October 30, 2013 at 11:33 am

    It makes my heart sing to see Anthony featured on here – he’s such a sweet little guy. I’m glad to know him.

    Reply
  • Gwen, The Makerista
    October 30, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    so sweet!

    Reply
  • Natalie
    October 30, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    Inspiring little guy! I know this might sound crazy…but my little guy would love his monorail/train set in the background, any ideas on where it came from 🙂

    Reply
  • Mary
    October 30, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    Avery will be the baby girl to wear these shoes! Thanks

    Reply
  • Jessica
    October 31, 2013 at 10:31 am

    Oh my goodness, he is so cute!!! I love this post 🙂 thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Marco
    November 1, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    This little boy is such a rock star and a TROOPER with his pump! We love you, Anthony!

    Reply
  • Morgan Peterson
    November 2, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    That little Anthony has my heart. So does his mama.

    Reply
  • Tracy
    January 13, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    I stopped and read your post because I saw the picture of Anthony with his CGM. As a 26yr old T1D with my own pump and CGM, I am awed by your little tyke! I hope you’ll tell him what an inspiration that is to me (though I’m not sure how you explain that thought to him.) off and on I worry about having kids and watching them go through handling T1D much younger than I had to, at 15, because I do know what it’s like. That led to a conversation with my wonderful Momma about what it’s like being the mom of a T1D. She says much the same thing, that she wishes she could take it, and that she learns from watching me. My hats off to you moms; you make our bad days good, and our good days feel like reaching the top of the mountain.

    Reply

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