Tag Archives: Juvenile

Jimmy’s Boa Bounces Back – Trinka Hakes Noble

I enjoyed reading and reviewing “The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash.” When I saw “Jimmy’s Boa Bounces Back” at the library, I was excited to read this sequel. It’s not as cute as the original, I’m afraid. But it’s still a fun story. On the first page, Meggie announces to Jimmy that she has just seen his boa at her mother’s garden club meeting. Apparently her mother needed something to wear that would add just the right touch to her suit, and decided that the boa was just the ticket. Her friends were quite taken with her fashion statement. … Continue reading →

Oranges and Ball Machines: My Training in Caring for My Son’s Diabetes

In the lobby of the Children’s Hospital and Health Center of San Diego there used to be a rather fantastic ball machine. After arriving with his suitcase packed, a somewhat bewildered Garrett stopped to watch the balls in the machine as they rolled around the mini-tracks, up and down, activating spinners and gadgets. It was difficult pulling him away from it. But we checked in, and Garrett was given a patient wrist band. We were directed to his room, which was ready and waiting. A nurse met us and drew Garrett’s blood, much to his displeasure. We tried to situate … Continue reading →

How I Learned my Son has Juvenile Diabetes: Garrett’s Story

Garrett, about a year after his diagnosis It started with a passing thought that my son seemed rather thin. Garrett had just turned seven, and had always been a slender, active child. But as he was coming out of the bath one evening, his shoulder blades stuck out noticeably. A few days later, a friend commented, “Wow, he’s a really skinny kid, isn’t he?” I started making a conscious effort to be sure he ate his dinner and had plenty of helpings of dessert. But it didn’t make an obvious difference. Still, despite his low weight, he was happy, playful, … Continue reading →