Maddison Lyons is walking with Maddison's Mutts on a Mission on November 1, 2008 in Tempe, AZ.
Hi! It's me, Maddison. Again this year, my family and I will be taking part in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes. JDRF has a goal of raising $100 million towards Diabetes research for kids and adults just like me!
When I was six years old I was diagnosed with Type 1,(juvenile) Diabetes. I can tell you more about Type 1 Diabetes than most people know. Most people think that I got Diabetes from eating too much sugar, a poor diet or from being inactive. That is not what happens with Type 1 Diabetes. My pancreas is "broken", it does not make insulin anymore, and never will without a cure. I cannot take pills to treat my Diabetes, or follow a diet like you do with Type 2 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes will never go away, I cannot "outgrow" it. It is with me every day, everywhere I go.
All day I have to take insulin for every carbohydrate I eat! That means at least 3-5 shots a day. Ouch! I have to poke my finger and check my blood sugar 6-15 times throughout the day to make sure we got the insulin dose right for the food I ate and how active my day has been. If I am too high (over 150) I need more insulin or my body is hurt by too much sugar in my blood. It makes me feel tired and my whole body aches. If my blood sugar is too low (under 80) my body and brain lacks the sugar it needs to work right. If my blood sugar is urgently low (under 60) or dropping fast from too much insulin or excersize I could have a seizure or even die! My mom checks me at all hours of the night to make sure I stay in safe range because blood sugar changes so often when you are a growing girl like me!
My grandpa has had Diabetes for 28 years. He has all the complications such as blindness, amputations, and kidney failure. My mom has Type 1 too, but we know that with all the newest technology and education we can manage this disease and defeat it, it won't defeat me! At first I was really scared to have Diabetes and I cried alot because I thought that meant I would end up like my Grandpa. But now I have an insulin pump to help control things better. I have become stronger every day, and I have met alot of friends my age with Diabetes. Did you know 30 kids are diagnosed every day?
By joining my walk team and helping to do your part to raise money for JDRF we will be that much closer to finding a cure for all the kids like me! Our future depends on research, technology and education. Won't you please help me in this battle? Please join my walk team today!
Love, Maddison
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