"I shot myself!"

"Mom!"

Jack was calling me, while running from the kitchen toward my bedroom, where he knew I was braiding his sister's hair.

"Mom! Mom!"

I could hear the excitement in his voice.

He bounded into the bedroom.

"Mom, guess what I just did?" he asked, hardly able to contain himself and wait for me to ask the obvious.

"What did you do?" I followed.

"I shot myself! I gave myself insulin!"

I wish I had my camera on hand to capture the look on his face. He beamed with pride. Happiness and satisfaction flooded his face.

"Wow! Jack, that's awesome!" I congratulated him. "Where did you give yourself a shot? And just out of curiousity, why?"

"I wanted to! Dad put the insulin in the tube and I then shot myself in the leg. Right here," he said pointing to the inner side of his thigh. (Yes, he called the syringe "the tube," which humored me because he's usually so exacting, using correct terminology.)

I was taken back...happy...but a little surprised. It was another hectic morning. We were running late and rushing to get the kids out the door and to school on time. It wasn't exactly time for a little D training.

Gregg walked into the room and filled me in.

"He asked if he could give himself the shot. I figured why not? I drew up the insulin, handed him an alcohol swab and the syringe, and he injected himself just like that," Gregg explained.

"Can I do it again?" Jack interjected. "Can I give myself a shot at school after lunch?"

"You can absolutely do it again, but not at school today. How about after school or after dinner?" I said, trying to compromise and encourage.

Last summer, we had taught Jack how to inject himself. He practiced and practiced, shooting saline into oranges and even grapes. He gave himself a couple of injections and then lost interest.

This morning, he was full of enthusiasm. I'm eager to see whether it lasts. This could be Jack's next step on the road to independence! 


Post edit: The enthusiasm continues. Jack injected himself again this afternoon. :-)