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Florida Diabetes Camp
Promotes Health and Wellness

The Neal Family

Kim and Terry Neal’s daughter Abigail ("Abby"), 6, was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 3 years old. Kim noticed that Abby was constantly thirsty and thought it was because of the summer heat. When Kim took Abby to the pediatrician, she learned that Abby had diabetes.

"I was shocked," Kim said. "I said, ‘She has what?’"

After calling her husband Terry and speaking to her dad, the first thing Kim did was head to the bookstore to learn more about diabetes. She spent the following day at Shands at the University of Florida learning everything she could.

"You almost become a registered nurse in a day," Kim said.

Kim knew about the Florida Diabetes Camp from her friend Helene Rhine, who worked at the camp. Helene encouraged Kim and Terry to bring Abby to the camp.

The Neal’s attended their first Florida Diabetes Camp Weekend several months after Abby was diagnosed. Abby participated in all the activities and has done so many times since. In fact, the Neal’s attended their sixth Family Weekend in March. Abby’s little sister Emily, 3, also attends camp.

The Neal’s attend the camp for the network of parents and because it helps show Abby that she is not the only one with diabetes. They learn new things from the other parents, and they are able to tell new families about their experiences.

"We tell others that we have gone through it, and it’s not overwhelming forever," Kim said. "It completely runs your life for a while, but it gets better over time, and it’s not as overwhelming."

Kim stressed that staying together as a family and having everyone do their part is also very important in controlling and managing diabetes.

"Family dynamics play an important part of diabetes," Kim said. "It’s not Abby’s disease. It’s a family disease. If a family doesn’t work together, it’s not going to work."

In addition to the networking and various activities for Abby, the Neal’s are able to spend time together and to learn new information from the physicians on staff.

"I don’t have to worry about my daughter at camp," Kim said. "I can sleep through the night. I know someone else is in the other cabin checking her blood sugar levels for me. So just for that, it’s worth it."