“My son has juvenile diabetes. How can I increase his stamina?”

Type 1 diabetes (Juvenile diabetes) is a metabolic condition where the body lacks insulin. This is mostly due to an autoimmune distribution of the insulin producing cells called islet cells. Therefore your child is perfectly healthy except that he needs to take insulin to control the blood sugars. As long as the blood sugars are reasonable and blood sugars are monitored regularly and as needed, he can participate in any spots activity like any normal healthy child.
Regular sports activity and good nutrition will make him more stronger and healthier. Having type 1 diabetes is not a contraindications for any activity as long as you monitor blood glucose and keep blood glucose levels at a reasonable range. If blood sugars are high you will give insulin if low you will feed appropriately. So children with type 1 diabetes should be able to participate in sports activity of thier linkings. Sports activity will make him stronger and also much healthier as well. I encourage you to work with you diabetes educators closely. Do not restrict physical activity just regulate blood sugars.
Good luck.

Children with type 1 diabetes usually achieve better metabolic control of their blood glucose levels when they are active in sports. Once patients and families learn how to adjust insulin regimen during physical activity, this opportunity usually is beneficial not only for their diabetes management, but for their self confidence, energy level, and interactions with same age peers. Don't feel discouraged to let him participate in sports because he has type 1 diabetes. It may be one of his most gratifying activities.

Absolutely, Diabetes if well controlled should not keep him from playing sports or doing anything else an 8 year old would want to do.

Keeping a good control of his diabetes, giving him enough insulin for his meals and corrections.

No problem with diabetes and sports. Like everything else with diabetes, though, you (and he) need to learn what activity is expected to do to BG levels and, most importantly, how to counter-balance. Working with your diabetes team should help you achieve this. We always want to encourage active sports participation for all the physical and also social/emotional benefits of being with peers and being active. A great book is Ragnar Hanas' Type 1 Diabetes that has lots of information about sports participation. Same with Chase & Maahs Pink Panther manual.

Yes, if your son is healthy and wants to play sports he should play sports! Exercise usually does improve stamina. When a kid has diabetes there is extra work involved with playing sports, but being active is important!