Mason Barnaby

My T1D Story

It was May the 4th 2021. Covid was all around the world, affecting so many families in different ways. We thought Mason had a urine infection, so we went to our local GP. The GP asked if he could finger prick Mason and little did we know what would happen next. Mason was rushed to hospital where were then told Mason was Type 1 Diabetic. We were told Mason would be in hospital for a week, and before we could go home, we would need to learn what is takes to care for someone with Type 1. Little did we know what that would mean, and how it would change his life and ours as a family.

The week was the longest, most emotional week of our lives. Mason was 5 years old and every time a doctor or nurse would come in the room, Mason would scream, or hide under the bed as the tears streamed down his little cheeks. He was petrified of needles, and he wouldn’t let the doctors give him insulin and even protested hypo treatment. We will never forget the moment we had to pin Mason down so they could get insulin in his body for the very first time.

People often ask us, “How on earth did he get involved in baseball and why baseball?” At a time when our world fell apart , baseball came into our lives. Mason was in hospital being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was a long, hard and emotional week in hospital – it was heart-breaking, and my worst and every parent’s worst nightmare. The hours we would have to sit and learn about T1D before we could take him home – all whilst poor Mason was sitting there! So one day Daddy Nick brought the iPad in to try and distract Mason (who at the time was 5). Nick asked Mason what game he wanted to play and he replied, “That one Daddy!” It was a baseball game that came up on the screen. So Mason played that game, and then said he wanted to watch that game, so we found some games to watch on YouTube , he then said he wanted to play baseball. In that moment , we agreed to find a baseball club and drive wherever we needed to… and the rest is our history as they say.

Baseball is played in innings so it meant we could keep a close eye on his blood sugar levels and either give Mason sugar or insulin between innings. We can even call a timeout, and he would only at times have to miss out. His friends and some of the older lads have shown a care for Mason like no other. They know his alarms and rally around him when his phones go off, they even sit with him. Baseball gave Mason a new love, a new life in amongst a time of heartache and worry. His passion and determination has grown and he became known for his talent. Type 1 diabetes didn’t define him, instead it just became a part of him. If he has had a tough week at school or is down, it’s baseball that gets him through. To all the coaches who have backed Mason, his teammates and the families who have only tried to learn what it takes to help him we are so thankful and appreciative. He is where he is today because of all you lovely people.

Although it’s been 3 years, we are still learning. We have good days and then we have bad days. What we know now is type 1 needs care 24/7 and his body does all these things which change daily. Mason is a force to be reckoned with and that’s something he’s shown us all. Although he struggles he still has the biggest smile on his face. He has taught us a resilience like no other and actually no matter what curveball T1D throws at him he just keeps going! The amount of people that stop us, and

say what an amazing boy you are is a testament to his character as he fights for his normal life. People who spend time with us often ask how we do it. Well we have a love for this kid that is second to none, we have the most amazing family and friends, we have his teachers, his friends and most of all we have each other.

I can now happily say we had no clue what we were in for. As a family we have learned to celebrate the good days and roll with the bad. In the words of Mason we wing it, and just take each day as it comes. Mason has learned to not fear his T1D or be ashamed but more to embrace his life. Mason wishes to help others, give others hope and encourage other children to live life to the full and let nothing stand in their way. Mason too was scared and looking back at his diagnosis to where he is today, he has taken on this life, and as the saying goes when life gives you lemons you make lemonade, and that is just what Mason is doing, he is making the best lemonade ever!