Daughter's Type 1 Diabetes Journey Inspires Mom To Write Book For Kids

LEMONT, IL — "Her life was completely changed from that point on. Everything was different. She was different from that point on," Jean Bellair told Patch of the day her daughter Annie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 8.

There is really no way to prepare for the way Type 1 diabetes will change your life and your child's life forever, Jean explained. Nearly two decades after Annie's diagnosis, there is still a dearth of literature to help a young child grasp the social and emotional impact of this chronic illness, she said. So, Jean decided to write the "Annie and Friends' Adventures" series, with the first book, "D for Diabetes" debuting June 1.

“The only representation Annie saw of Type 1 was the character Stacey in the Babysitters Club," Bellair said. The other books about diabetes she encountered were mainly nonfiction.

"There is really nothing out there for Type 1, and I’d really like to bring [Annie's] story to life," she said.

Bellair has been a teacher for 19 years. She said this experience, along with her real-life experience watching Annie deal with diabetes, helped inspire her to start writing "Annie and Friends' Adventures" in the winter of 2023.

“I know everything that she went through," Bellair said. "I was with her 24-7. It’s pretty shocking. It’s a pretty scary situation. That was really my passion. Getting the word out for kids."

Before she started to write, Bellair spent time reflecting with Annie and recalling memories of the illness that changed her life.

There was the time Annie asked for ice cream while she was in the hospital for the first time during her diagnosis.

There was the time Annie dressed up as a pincushion for Halloween in a costume homemade by Bellair. The costume was inspired by how Annie's grandfather fondly referred to her a "human pincushion" because of the multiple daily insulin injections and finger pricks for blood sugar testing she required.

There was the time Annie ripped off her insulin pump so she could come home from summer camp.

There was the time Annie stopped wanting to test her blood sugar as she got older, Bellair said.

As she shared these anecdotes, I actually saw myself reflected. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 18. Despite the prevalence of the condition (in 2020, it was estimated there were 1.6 million people with Type 1 diabetes in the United States), it can feel frustrating, alienating, infuriating and lonely to live with this illness

Bellair hopes Annie's stories also resonate with children in the age range it targets. She said it's appropriate for 6- and 7-year-olds and kids as old as fifth grade.

But even if you aren't Type 1 diabetic, there's a decent chance you have a friend, a classmate, a relative or someone else you hold dear who is.

The book has already linked Bellair to others in the Type 1 community. After donating the book to more than a dozen parents and getting the word out about Type 1 diabetes, Bellair said, "People reach out to mention someone who has it."

"I’m really happy that we’re touching so many lives," she said.

The 60-page book was self-published by Bellair, which she said gave her more autonomy with the story and design.

The illustrations and cover art were done by Bellair's brother, Tom, who has been a graphic designer for 30 years. The cover image was made using a photo of Annie around the time of her diagnosis. Bellair said the image of Annie in a glass of water depicts the extreme, insatiable thirst that comes with the onset of Type 1 diabetes symptoms.

Bellair told Patch Annie loves the character and is always happy to find solidarity with young diabetics. When she sees a child with an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor, she'll give them an enthusiastic high five.

Even though it's been nearly 20 years since Annie was diagnosed, the social-emotional effects of Type 1 diabetes are still pretty universal.

That's why Bellair thinks it's so important for diabetic characters and experiences to be more mainstream.

She mentioned a recent song that trended on Instagram in which a young girl sings the refrain, "I have diabetes. I have diabetes."

Bellair said the song reminds her of a tune Annie and a friend improvised in fifth grade called "D for Diabetes," which she used for the title of this first book.

For each person with Type 1 diabetes, the music may be different and so may the lyrics and the tempo, but somehow, we're all singing that song in chorus, together. And Jean Bellair wants us to sing that song at the top of our lungs.

Click the link to order a copy of "D for Diabetes."

What: D for Diabetes book launch

When: June 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Three Stories Books, 310 Canal St., Lemont