Amber's Personal Page

Welcome to my personal JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes fundraising page!  I'll be taking part in this year?s Walk to raise funds to improve the lives of all people affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D).  If you ask people with T1D, they will tell you it is difficult and life threatening.  And they know it never goes away.

My son, Nathan's story starts less than a year ago. He had just started 1st grade and celebrated his 6th birthday in August. He was happy but he sarted acting funny. He was different and my husband and I couldn't put our fingers on it. He was tired all the time and moody. He was always thirsty. He would come upstairs in the middle of the night and beg for water. I felt bad but I wouldn't allow it because he was always wetting the bed. He had asked me  if he could bring a water bottle to school because he would get so thirsty. He had his physical and our pedatrician assured me bedwetting was normal for his age but we should watch him. I thought everything was fine. He was just growing.

Then one day Nathan had a "stomach bug". He complained of a sore throat and he couldn't keep anything down. He had no fever or anything to cause concern but he couldn't even stay awake. As the day went on he got worse. His breathing started to get heavier and faster and he became even more desperate for water. He became confused and lethargic. I knew we needed to get him to the emergency room right away. I stayed home with my younger son while my husband drove Nathan to the hospital.

Not knowing what to expect I waited to hear by the phone. At first the thought was strept throat and they did a chest xray. Soon after I recieved the horrible phone call. They were taking Nathan to the children's hospital at Albany Med. He had Diabetes. Our first reaction was that it was "impossible! We need a second opinion". As we soon learned however that was not the case. Nathan's glucose level was in the high 500's. At the time that didn't mean anything to us but eventually we would learn how bad it actually was.

We went through alot of Diabetes education in Nathan's week long hospital stay. We saw Nathan transform into the old happy Nathan we once knew. We learned that he would be able to live a long normal life and he would be fine with the right care and attention. We also learned however that this would be with him forever. There was no cure. This was the most heart breaking to us.

Today Nathan is doing great! He has taken on his Diabetes and owns it. I can not believe a 6 year old can have so much strength! However I am sure nothing would make him happier than to find a cure!

I am asking for your support.  Please donate to my personal fundraising efforts.  By doing so, you can help me make a difference for millions of people living with type 1 diabetes.

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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