Emma's Personal Page

Hi my Name is Emma Raymond, I am 12 years old and I have Type 1 Diabetes. I was diagnosed on March 9, 2011. It was a day that forever changed my life. I went to school just like normal but during my mom?s planning time at 10:30 (she was a teacher in my elementary school) we went to my pediatrician because I was really thirsty all of the time. I was drinking about 2 gallons of water every day! This was the main reason my mom took me to the doctor. I was also feeling really tired and my eyes were also bothering even though I had just gotten new glasses a few months before. I just wasn?t feeling right.

When I got there the nurse weighed me I had lost 5 pounds! Dr. Ross brought in a little meter and pricked my finger to check my blood sugar. My number was 306. She quickly left the room. I didn?t know at the time but she was calling the diabetes clinic at Children?s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. I didn?t really understand what that meant at the time but now I know that my range should be from 70-140. My mom and I were sent to Freeman Hospital, we were living in Joplin, MO at that time. Dr. Ross told us to go there for blood work and then go straight home and pack a bag. We were headed to Children?s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. She said that she would call and let us know if we were going by air, ambulance or if mom and dad could take me! I was really scared and so were my parents!

Mom and dad were able to take me. It was a 2 ½ hour drive and we were all very scared about what was going happen. At 4:00 that afternoon we were in a hospital room and they were working on me. I had to have more blood work done. It didn?t seem as scary there because they are used to working with kids but it still hurt! I was in the hospital for 3 days. I had to learn all about diabetes and how to take care of myself. I learned that I would have to prick my finger to check my blood sugar at least 7 times each day and it can even be as many as 12-14 times! I also had to get a shot every time I wanted to eat anything with carbohydrates in it. I didn?t like this but I learned it was what I had to do to be able to get healthy? I would have to do it forever. I also learned that it was nothing that I did. I couldn?t have prevented it. My pancreas just quit producing insulin.

I now wear an insulin pump and have a sensor that I can wear so that I don?t have to do as many finger sticks. It?s better but it?s not as good as a cure would be! This is the main reason I have written this letter. I am walking on February 16 in Des Moines in the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Walk to Cure Diabetes. I have a team named Emma?s Emissaries and we are trying to raise $2,000! I have raised about 50% of my goal. With your help and the help of others, I?m sure that I will be able to reach my goal! The attached letter tells what you can do to help me and everyone else that struggles every day with Type 1 diabetes!

Thanks,

Emma

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Did you know that:

• T1D is an autoimmune disease that comes on suddenly and strikes both children and adults at any age?
• T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle?
• Those living with T1D must carefully balance insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night?
• Those living with T1D must test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood 6 or more times a day?

As the leader of the type 1 diabetes community, JDRF unifies global efforts to cure, treat and prevent T1D.  JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered.  Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible?

Thank you for your support!

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