Katie's Personal Page

Welcome to my JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes fundraising page! As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on September 20th 2012. It has been a hard and long few months and Ive learned a lot of new things about me, my body, and basically everything that goes into my mouth.

A few days before I was diagnosed, I had a physical and my mom happened to mention as the doctor was walking out the door a few things; I had a lot of headaches, I was tired a lot, I drank a lot of water. She saved my life when she asked those questions. The doctor sent me to get some blood work done. When the results came, the doctor called my mom and said that she had to get me to the hospital now. My blood sugar was in the 500s. No one thinks "Oh! You have diabetes!' so this was a total shock. I remember texting one of my friends and saying, "I'm on my way to the hospital. I might have diabetes.... This should be fun."

I learned very quickly that my whole life was going to change. I now had to prick my  fingers at least five times a day and give myself shots everytime I ate and before I went to bed. My life is now a daily war between myself and my disease and it sometimes wins. It was scary learning about all the things that could possibly happen to me and it's still scary today. 

It has been only four months since I was diagnosed and my body is under control. (or as much as it can be at least.) I've had many bumps in the road, but I am finally healthy and okay with everything that has happened to me.

Well as much as I say it wasn't fun, I was very lucky. Some kids get very sick before they go to the hospital; I was fine. There were infants and toddlers in the room next to mine and I learned that they had to prick babies toes because their fingers were to small. It broke my heart. This is why I want to do the walk. No one deserves this disease. We NEED to find a cure. NOW! So please help me and all the other kids out there so we can save so many more.

FACTS ABOUT T1 DIABETES

• Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that comes on suddenly and strikes both children and adults at any age
• Type 1 Diabetes has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle
• Those living with Type 1 Diabetes must carefully balance insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night by giving shots everytime they eat and before they go to bed
• Those living with Type 1 Diabetes must test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood 5 or more times a day
• Insuline is not a cure. It is just a way to stay alive while Type 1 Diabetics wait for one.

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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