tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8228867757708386482024-03-12T18:57:48.337-05:00Voice of a D-MomMy daughter Aly was diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes when she was a mere 2 1/2 years old. This battle will never end for her as there is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes but we WILL do our BEST every second of every day to give her the best life she can have. This blog is here as a journal for myself and hopefully it also helps other individuals dealing with diabetes also.Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-6635147178312328092013-07-31T13:20:00.001-05:002018-10-26T08:10:19.027-05:00New BlogI am now a blogger over at <a href="http://www.diabeticlifestyle.com/author/8710/huckabay" target="_blank">OnTrack Diabetes </a>so please come follow my blogging over there! :)Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-35457964619943296332013-07-18T22:36:00.001-05:002013-07-18T22:36:11.213-05:00Where did you come from?Ok seriously where in the world did this test strips come from? Aly has been gone at diabetes camp since Sunday ... we have not used a blood glucose machine or test strips in umm .... 4 days .... I vacuumed this afternoon and somehow there is a test strip at my feet on the living room floor. Geez diabetes never really goes away even when the diabetic is not home :/<br />
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<br />Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-70689466667684402102013-07-15T10:02:00.002-05:002013-07-15T10:02:18.504-05:00Diabetes Camp Drop OffYesterday afternoon we dropped Aly off about 45 minutes from our home for a week long diabetes camp that is put on by our local <a href="http://www.diabetes.org/" target="_blank">American Diabetes Association </a><br />
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We will miss her but I know just great this camp experience will be for her in regards to her diabetes care management and meeting new friends who are "just like her"<br />
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I will stay strong and try not to feel too anxious with her not being here with me. I hope diabetes plays nicely so she doesn't miss any fun activitiesVoice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-24255949274489953002013-07-09T18:09:00.001-05:002013-07-09T18:09:27.901-05:00Diabetes CampMy 9 year old daughter Aly leaves for a week long diabetes camp in a mere 5 days. This is only the 2nd time that she has gone to a camp without a family member going with her. This summer we braved sending her to church camp that was 2 hours away .. no nursing staff .. only a college age staffer and the knowledge that I taught her. I will say this that it truly was one of the hardest times since diagnosis for me, I generally am not an emotional person but when she left my care on that Sunday night I was an emotional wreck. I just wanted to cry, I was going through all the what if scenarios in my head, and thinking the worst! They did AMAZING, did a site change, had some lows but all were resolved, and Aly had a FABULOUS time and is ready to go again next year.<br />
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Now I know with diabetes camp she is going to be under great care ... endo's ... nurses ... other kids with t1d ... she will be in great medical hands, now I have to say that I am still freaking inside. She will not be around me, her mom, who takes care of her T1D 99% of the time and rarely asks for help. I am sure that I will try to go check her sugar when I go to bed only to find her bed empty, I will go check on her in the morning only to find her bed still empty, but I will remember that my daughter is having an amazing time. I hope that with this experience she becomes even better with changing her own infusion sites and carb counting. She will be able to have the experience again this year like she did at diabetes day camp last year where EVERYONE is checking their sugars for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and before exercise ... They will check ketones if needed ... They will ALL be counting the carbohydrates that they will be consuming with each meal and snack ... and they will ALL know what it feels like when their blood sugars are out of whack either high or low.<br />
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For this week I will keep my feelings to myself and let my child have an amazing life experience and feel like the "norm" instead of different.<br />
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Time to start packing my princess for diabetes camp.Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-26080762109922011822013-07-08T20:40:00.001-05:002013-07-08T20:40:16.399-05:00Face the FactsAs the parent of a child type 1 diabetic and the creator if the Facebook page <span itemprop="name"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Type1DiabetesFacts" target="_blank">Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes Facts and Information</a>; I reach out daily online to at least 3,500 people that may or may not be affected directly with Type 1 Diabetes.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="name">As the parent I get that we do not want to hear the down right bad things about Type 1 Diabetes and we want it to be all rainbows and candy canes but seriously people, DIABETES SUCKS!! None of us asked for it, NONE of us want to deal with, and WE ALL want it to go away and a CURE to be found .... BUT until then the cold hard facts are there and we need to look at them and face them head on even though they are ugly monsters that we would rather turn our heads to.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="name">It is a FACT that:</span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">- Type
1 diabetes is a devastating autoimmune disease caused by the immune
system mistakenly turning on itself, destroying beta cells within the
pancreas and removing the body’s ability to produce insulin. Insulin
allows the body to process blood glucose to create energy. Without
insulin, the body literally starves as it has no fuel. </span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">- People
with type 1 diabetes cannot survive without insulin that has to be
injected up to six times a day or continuously infused through a pump,
as well as check their blood sugar levels up to eight times every day
just to stay alive.</span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> - People do not outgrow diabetes.</span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> - Each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults—approximately 80 people per day—are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in the U.S</span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">- As many as three million Americans may have Type 1 Diabetes</span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">- The rate of Type 1 Diabetes incidence among children under age 14 is estimated to increase by 3% annually worldwide</span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">- Type 1 Diabetes accounts for $14.9 billion in healthcare costs in the U.S. each year</span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span><br /><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">- There is NO break from Type 1 Diabetes</span></span></span><div class="_wk">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Now I get that we need to think positively to keep going forward day to day but there are times that we just need to face the facts and not get so pissed off when posts are made that make us stop and think a little bit about the disease from a medical perspective and not from an emotional perspective. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I know this is a debbie downer post but I just had to put it out there and let my feelings out plain and simple </span> </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span> </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></div>
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Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-23555678231705358472013-05-24T15:38:00.002-05:002013-05-24T15:49:01.786-05:00I have a dream<br />
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As most of you are aware I am really big on Type 1 Diabetes Education and Support. Well this momma recently got a new set of wheels and I have a dream<br />
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I have a dream to have my 2012 Mazda 5 wrapped in Diabetes logo's and awareness so that every where I go people look at my vehicle and ask questions .. Even if they ask me why ... oh ya will they get an ear full!! I want to be a rolling diabetes awareness momma :)<br />
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THAT is my dream!!<br />
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:)<br />
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It is a nice blank slate :)<br />
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If you or your company is interested in sponsoring this dream you can contact me at hopeforaly@gmail.com</div>
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Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-82124315962475839672013-05-03T07:51:00.000-05:002013-05-03T07:51:58.276-05:00Most Happy Without YouDear Diabetes,<br />
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I don’t know why I’m writing you. Its like you’re the ex- that never goes away, the one that you have to see and awkwardly say “hey” to in the street but are secretly screaming “run, run away!” inside.<br />
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Life was great without you. Heck, aside from being tired, I can’t complain. You’ve made me rethink my daughters diet, her life, you made me who was a C math student into a A math wiz (counting carbs, insulin ratios, blood sugar levels, fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication yup I can do it all), I have become an unintentional unregistered nurse and have lost more sleep than I care to even know.<br />
Just so you know, I’m telling all my friends about your dirty tricks. You won\'t be able to sneak up on anyone anymore like you did to us! They will know you are there. Unwantedly there<br />
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Just leave. No one cares about you anymore.<br />
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No wants wants you, no one needs you, and we just want you GONE FOREVER!<br />
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KatrinaVoice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-91212596366845849782013-05-02T09:36:00.000-05:002013-05-02T09:37:14.033-05:008 great things about diabetes<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. There </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. is </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. absolutely </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. nothing </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5. great </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">6. about </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">7. Type 1</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">8. Diabetes</span></div>
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Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-50279530754848241142013-04-22T07:58:00.002-05:002013-04-22T07:58:30.230-05:00Working while raising a child with T1D<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes the world that the child and their family once knew seems as though it will never exist again. Parents of a T1D tend to miss work more often because the main focus for the parents now is to make sure that their children are happy, healthy, and safe. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) becomes a crucial part of the parents work routine as they have an increased need for time off work to become educated on this new lifestyle which includes daily blood sugar checks and insulin injections, recurring education classes, quarterly endocrine appointments, staying home with their child during sick days, and extra meetings with school staff to make sure their child's diabetes is managed well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My daughter, Alyse, was two and a half years old when she was diagnosed with T1D. That was six years ago and at that time I was working outside the home as a Prescription Benefit Manager. I was very thankful for FMLA because I had become the primary caretaker of my child when it came to her diabetes. After her diagnosis, I had to take time off from work in order to teach other family members how to manage Aly’s blood sugars and insulin doses. I continued to work outside the home while using the FMLA benefit for three years until I made the decision that it would be better for her care and my sanity to stay at home. At home, I could be more readily available to go to her school when needed, take phone calls from the school nurse, make appointments at her school with the staff to discuss diabetes care, attend her endocrine appointments without feeling like I was letting my employer down. I could now explore my newfound passion of diabetes education and advocacy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A year after my decision to stay home, I decided to open up an in-home childcare that would specialize in children diagnosed with T1D. At that time, I also began my second career as a diabetes advocate. When I started "Hope for Aly" (our diabetes education effort), I never expected to learn as much about T1D as I have to date and continue to learn daily. I now have my “9-5” job providing in-home childcare but also get to have my passion/hobby of diabetes education as a second career on the weekends. I am currently working as a Glu Ambassador to helping to spread the word about this diabetes support community which also helps to support research all from the comfort of your own home. I’m also looking into starting a non-profit in the Kansas City community that will focus on T1D support, education, and advocacy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know that parents who have a child diagnosed with T1D will be able to juggle everything from family, career, to sanity. I do, thousands of other parents do it, and newly diagnosed parents will too.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">Article written for <a href="https://myglu.org/articles/parent_perspective_working_while_raising_a_t1d_child" target="_blank">Glu</a></span>Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-59789033506598697122013-04-06T13:22:00.001-05:002013-04-06T13:22:18.130-05:00FearTry not to let fear keep your from letting T1D child act like a normal kid. They will be ok, they can still eat that ice cream and have their cake too, still sleep over at friends houses, still drive a car, date, go to parties, play sports, and everything else a "normal" child does. Yes I understand it takes extra planning ... Yes I understand we as parents will still worry ... Yes I understand you probably still won\'t get a full nights sleep ... BUT it is ALL worth it for your child be a "normal" child and just have fun.Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-61975677932887305122013-04-02T15:06:00.001-05:002013-04-02T15:06:09.569-05:00Another DiagnosisMy daughter Aly was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 1/20/2007.<br />
<br />
In may of last year we received ANOTHER diagnosis ... ADHD.<br />
<br />
Ever since Aly was little she has had a problem staying on task, getting distracted, very emotional, always "on the go" with body and mind while also never being able to focus well in school. For several years we tried to shrug it off as Aly being Aly and attributing it to her age .... Well last year at the schools push we finally had Aly seen and tested for ADHD, it was not easy to walk into another Dr's office for another visit that may yield ANOTHER diagnosis for my little princess but like we as parents do I knew I had to do it for her. Upon our 2nd meeting with this Dr. Aly had the testing done and what we learned from the results was quite helpful. We learned that Aly was only able to translate 1/2 of what she was learning into actual product of work .. She was able to grasp the beginning and end of conversations but would forget the whole middle portion that was discussed or taught.<br />
<br />
Once we received the diagnosis of Combined ADHD we started trying to assist her without using pills .. we tried many different avenues in the classroom and at home but sadly none of these options were working after almost a year from diagnosis.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago we went and spoke with Aly's pediatrician about the diagnosis and what our options were now ... we knew ADHD meds would be prescribed but we did not know about the different kinds or anything. When we left that appointment with her pediatrician we left with a prescription for Vyvanse the lowest dose with instructions to start it promptly the next day.<br />
<br />
I must say that this has been one of the best moves that we as parents have made because just like insulin keeps her alive ... her ADHD meds help her perform at the quality that we knew she was capable of. She focuses better, better handwriting, very confident in herself, able to get work done in a timely manner, remembers schedules and directions, and rocking in the classroom.<br />
<br />
I am very proud of my amazing princess who is dealing with T1D and ADHD but NEVER let's anything stop her or get in her way!Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-66546652574333050982013-03-25T12:59:00.001-05:002013-03-25T12:59:11.638-05:00CHECK DON'T GUESS!<span class="userContent">We need to get all pediatricians, ER Doctors,
and Urgent Care staff to ALWAYS CHECK BLOOD SUGAR when a child is
showing the classic signs of T1D. DKA can come on suddenly and have
deadly results when T1d is not diagnosed properly. A blood sugar ch<span class="text_exposed_show">eck
that would take less than 1 minute and cost under $2 could SAVE a
child's life. We aren't talking scrapes and bruises here ... We are
talking LIFE and Death! Please help educate and make sure that your
pediatrician knows to always CHECK .. DON'T GUESS!!</span></span><br />
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Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-10838579602610973462013-03-18T22:00:00.000-05:002013-03-18T22:00:00.155-05:00Thankless, endless, and exhausting <div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">Thankless, endless, overwhelming, and exhausting. When you hear these words, what comes to mind? Anyone think: Being the parent of a Type 1 Diabetic? If so, you are not alone. You are being genuine and real. I think so many parents are afraid to be honest, afraid that if they go down that road, it signals that they are horrible and unworthy-- somehow broken, unloving and undeserving. Believe me, you are none of those things. You are tired. Everyone knows that amidst those moments of frustration, you celebrate amazingly tender, loving, joyful and rewarding moments. Wrap it all up and that's parenthood. Don't let those dark moments define you. Smile and know that around the corner there will be joy and that joy is unmatched. You are living the dream!</span></div>
Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-73484115561722481482013-03-18T10:31:00.000-05:002013-03-18T11:26:04.141-05:00St. Patty's Day Parade<a href="http://www.hopeforaly.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Hope for Aly</a> participated in our 1st Lee's Summit Emerald Isle Parade on Saturday 3/16. We had about 10 people out at the parade and we handed out flyers with T1D symptoms, candy, shirts, and necklaces. We reached over 400 people with T1D information and many more with our other goodies.<br />
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We look forward to participating again in the 2014 Parade and making our float even bigger and better.<br />
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If you would like to sponsor our float for 2014 please contact me at hopeforaly@gmail.com <br />
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<br />Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-34267106377102042432013-03-14T07:29:00.001-05:002013-03-14T07:29:16.296-05:00I have a dream <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some people dream for lots of money, expensive cars, vacation homes, ..... I dream about educating more people about T1D and finding a cure. My goal .... Someday have a large amount of people affected by T1D converge at the NYC Thanksgiving day parade, have a float and hit the masses with T1D info ... And someday have walks when everyone is CURED. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One can dream right :)</span>Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-50228217038446431052013-03-11T22:11:00.000-05:002013-03-11T22:11:33.781-05:00So it beginsAly and I were talking the other day after watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MrMikeLawson" target="_blank">Mike Lawson</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/gingervieira" target="_blank">Ginger Vieira </a>on their YouTube Vlogs and Aly came to me and asked if she could start a Vlog, I said sure why not ... Well today she taped her 1st episode of "The Aly Show". You can watch it online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGq2ZYlxVsE<br />
<br />
We will have more episodes soon and will cover all things T1D related. If you would like to submit questions you can email them to hopefpraly@gmail.com<br />
<br />
We will see you soon :)Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-47640590158670770262013-03-09T08:45:00.000-06:002013-03-09T08:45:05.884-06:00D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">D-I-A-B-E-T-E-S</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">D..oing all that I can humanly do to give my child a normal happy life.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I..nspiring others in the same situation to stay positive and move forward.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
A..ccepting the fact that d is part of our life and we have to make the best of it.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
B..eing a supportive role model to all my other d-moms and special friends.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
E..ntertaining ideas of hope and cure always.</div>
</span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
T..olerating the negative effects that d brings along with it</div>
</span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
E..nticing others to help us raise funding for research</div>
</span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
S..upporting my daughter in all current/future decisions</div>
</span>Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-8003349987754511852013-03-08T21:59:00.000-06:002013-03-08T22:09:25.805-06:00Advice for ParentsWhen you learned that your child has diabetes, you may have
experienced disbelief, grief, and guilt. Maybe you asked, "Why did this
happen to my child?" Maybe you cried out, "It's not fair! " You must
come to grips with these feelings so that you can learn the tasks and
techniques of diabetes control. Your whole family needs to make
adjustments to your child's condition. How you deal with and accept
diabetes affects the way your child deals with and accept diabetes. The
more you know about diabetes, the better equipped you are to help your
child.<br />
<br />
As a parent, you are naturally anxious, but it's up to you to help
your child accept his or her diabetes with a minimum of stress. The
<a href="http://www.diabetes.org/" target="_blank">American Diabetes Association</a>,<a href="http://www.diabeteshandsfoundation.org/" target="_blank"> Diabetes Hands Foundation</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeforaly.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Hope for Aly</a>, and <a href="http://jdrf.org/" target="_blank">JDRF</a> can be of great help. Other
parents who have faced the same problem and learned to cope with it are
more than willing to share ideas and advice. You must learn to protect
without dominating, to supervise while encouraging self-care. Work with
your child for the best control, but remember that "ideal" control isn't
always possible.<br />
<br />
Your role as the parent of a child with diabetes will change as your
child grows. Every child is different, of course, but there are some
general guidelines you can follow at each stage. And there are some
things you can keep in mind no matter what your child's age: Accept your
child. Love, teach, guide, and discipline just as you would if diabetes
were not a factor. Do not overprotect or overindulge. Accept your
child's diabetes without guilt. Learning all you can about diabetes will
help you overcome your fears and anxieties. And remember, you cannot
control your child's diabetes by over controlling your child. <br />
<br />
Your child's self image and self esteem are threatened by diabetes.
Be understanding and supportive. Try to avoid unnecessary anxiety about
"cheating." You don't want to cause guilt feelings, or make your child
think he or she is "bad." Children who think are bad may act
accordingly. Help your child plan ahead. No child can should be expected
to assume complete responsibility for diabetes control at too early an
age. But, ultimately, responsibility for eating properly, injecting
insulin, testing blood sugar, and planning exercise will be the child's.
Maturity, independence, self control, and self esteem will grow as your
child learns self-care.<br />
<br />
A child with diabetes is a child first, and a person with diabetes
second. Like all children, yours needs to grow physically, socially, and
emotionally. Alert parents who are relaxed, knowledgeable, tolerant,
and accepting help in the growing process. Feelings of guilt and
resentment lead to problems between spouses and between parents and
children. Your child's diabetes is a challenge your whole family must
face together. It is not a punishment for anything any of you did <br />
<br />
We as parents have our own pitfalls that we need to work on, some of those may be but are not limited to: <br />
<br />
An <b>overanxious</b> parent creates an overanxious child who is
overdependent. By doing everything for your child, you deny him or her
the self-control and self-confidence necessary for an independent life.<br />
<br />
An <b>overindulgent</b> parent feels dietary restrictions and daily
injections are too much for a child to handle. He or she offers special
treats while providing little discipline. Children of overindulgent
parents may grow up under the impression that they are incompetent --
incapable of coping with their own problems -- which reinforces feelings
of inadequacy.<br />
<br />
A <b>perfectionist</b> parent may achieve good diabetes management in
early childhood through discipline, but there are risks. The child may
feel guilty about poor blood sugar test results, and may even alter a
result to obtain parental approval. During adolescence, children of
perfectionist parents may rebel -- against both their parents and their
diabetes care programs.<br />
<br />
An <b>indifferent</b> parent may force his or her child to seek
attention through rebellion, by "cheating" on the diet, or by skipping
insulin injections. Children of indifferent parents may become depressed
because of the lack of discipline, support, and supervision in their
lives. They also have a higher frequency of hospitalization.<br />
<br />
If you ever feel overwhelmed or need people to talk to the Diabetes Online Community is amazing and they are there to help you with what I mentioned above and so much more.Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-19921088571816789112013-02-22T21:28:00.001-06:002013-02-22T21:53:05.724-06:00Tour de CureMy name is Alyse, I am 8 years old, and on Jan 20, 2007 my young life was changed forever! I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.<br />
<br />
Type 1 Diabetes means that I am dependent on self injected insulin, carb counting, blood sugar checks, dr visits every 3 months, high and low blood sugars, and so much more for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
I come to you today to ask for help. Please help me raise money for the American Diabetes Association. Help me fund an organization that keeps me safe and fights for my right while I am at school ... Help me fund an organization that has summer camps staffed with endocrinologists, nurses, and physicians so I can have fun like all my other peers without having to think about my diabetes care because everyone there is just like me ... Help me find a CURE for Diabetes.<br />
<br />
I will be riding my bike 10 miles in the Kansas City Tour de Cure so please help me help all diabetics<br />
<br />
Donation of ANY amount can be made online at http://main.diabetes.org/goto/AlyHuckabay <br />
<br />
Thank you<br />
<br />
Aly Huckabay<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="http://app2perfect.com/blogger/upload/7F2CC87C103647488E539465357CD6A55099000004472791F7231.jpg" width="240" />Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-53657368798342496722013-02-18T07:28:00.001-06:002013-02-18T07:48:22.597-06:00ReboundSo as you all saw last night we had a dangerous low ... Yes I hate nights like this and lately they are becoming more frequent :( .... Well needless to say we are now fighting horrible stubborn highs because of that dangerous low. It has been like pulling teeth to get her below 300 :(. <br />
<br />
This disease is so annoying and unpredictable. We truly, HOPE .... WISH .... AND WANT A CURE<br />
<br />
<a href="http://app2perfect.com/blogger/upload/99F76DAF853A4891A918A21B127A7FC73948000004126EA3B7B41.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://app2perfect.com/blogger/upload/99F76DAF853A4891A918A21B127A7FC73948000004126EA3B7B41.jpg" width="240" /></a>Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-35973502059948865702013-02-17T23:48:00.001-06:002013-02-18T00:04:42.233-06:00So Done!!So we got Aly's Dexcom CGM a little less than 2 weeks ago and during that time I have NEVER in my memory gotten less sleep at night than I have these last 2 weeks!!! <br />
<br />
We are up nightly dealing with lows and by lows I mean some have been in the 30s. Now I don\'t know if she has always done this and we didn\'t know because we didn't have the technology to tell us and Aly does not recognize lows at night or what but I JUST WANT SLEEP AND MY BABY NOT TO BE PO'ED AT ME AND CRYING because her stomach hurts from so much food and liquid being pumped in to her at 11pm. <br />
<br />
We are currently dealing with another night of low blood sugars, currently at 46, 30 minutes ago we were at 42 ... Her pump is disconnected ... We have had 2 fruit roll ups and a glass of milk ... She is crying because her stomach is killing her from all this being pumped into it in a 30 minute period AND she was awoken from a dead sleep to do so.<br />
<br />
I want what is best for my princess so I will suck it up for her and be strong for her but gosh dang it there are times that I want to run far away and forget that diabetes exists ... Times that I was to say F U diabetes ... Go to hell!!! Time I want my 8 year old daughter not to have to think about low/high blood sugars ... Carbohydrates, Blood Glucose Meters, Insulin Pumps, Force Feeding Herself when she wants nothing to do with it but has to to not die or end up in the hospital. I am just SO DONE with it all!!!<br />
<br />
Well off my sulky moment and time to save a life ... Save MY CHILD'S LIFE!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="http://app2perfect.com/blogger/upload/7D824B7D5E4A4C199692EC9AC7B24A64355000000378332C78F71.jpg" width="240" />Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-5693460814853493902013-02-17T19:00:00.001-06:002013-02-17T19:00:08.899-06:00Name changeI have decided to change the name of our blog from Insulin Princess to Voice of a D-Mom. Since this blog is mainly about my feelings about dealing with T1D as a parent and not Aly's feelings on being a T1D I have decided that this name switch will be good.<br />
<br />
Onward and upward we goVoice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-31095676853322008672013-02-04T20:27:00.002-06:002013-02-04T20:27:58.691-06:00Next Step in CareToday we put the wheels in to motion for the next step of our diabetes management care. We finally have met our $2500 OOP for the fiscal year and so we called and ordered the <a href="http://www.dexcom.com/" target="_blank">Dexcom</a> G4 Platinum system.<br />
<br />
Aly just passed her 6 year diaversary and also logged her lowest A1C ever of 7.8 so the timing of us being able to purchase the CGM are coming at a great time in her diabetes management. This will hopefully be able to help up make the management of her Type 1 Diabetes even tighter.<br />
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We are so excited and we will have pictures to come in the next few days :)<br />
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Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-17229710370963764472013-02-02T20:52:00.002-06:002013-02-02T21:00:22.105-06:00JDRF Kansas City Family Connections RetreatToday Aly and I attended the JDRF Kansas City Family Connections Retreat. This is the first time in the 6 years since diagnosis that we have attended this local event, and I just have to say that it was great, very informative, and some great topics to pick from.<br />
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When we got to the JDRF Kansas City Family Connections Retreat we were greeted by JDRF staff and volunteers at the registration table. Each family that attended (there were around 100 families in attendance) were given their welcome packet that included a synopsis of the retreat, a T1D networking BINGO card, and the speakers as well as the individual family schedule depending on their selection of presentations they chose to listen to. <br />
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Aly and I got right to work on the BINGO card and our networking skills. There were many diabetes related companies in attendance in the vendor fair some companies that were in attendance were <a href="http://www.jdrf.org/" target="_blank">JDRF</a>, <a href="http://advocacy.jdrf.org/" target="_blank">JDRF Advocacy</a>, <a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/" target="_blank">Hy-Vee</a>, <a href="http://www.kidswithcourage.org/" target="_blank">Kids With Courage</a>, <a href="http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/" target="_blank">Medtronic</a>, <a href="http://www.animas.com/" target="_blank">Animas</a>, <a href="http://www.myomnipod.com/" target="_blank">Omnipod</a>, <a href="http://www.accu-chek.com/" target="_blank">Accu-Chek</a>, <a href="http://www.sanofi.us/" target="_blank">Sanofi Diabetes</a>, <a href="http://www.novonordisk.com/" target="_blank">Novo Nordisk</a>, <a href="http://www.diabetestrialnet.org/" target="_blank">Trial Net</a>, and <a href="http://www.turningpointkc.org/" target="_blank">Turning Point</a>. We also socialized with other families that we have met previously and others that we were meeting for the first time. Aly really warmed up and starting talking to people.<br />
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The sessions that I chose to attend at this event were Artificial Pancreas Project - What's New, Nutrition - Go Deep!, and The Teen Brain. While I attended my selected breakout sessions Aly went to the Kids Zone and played with other children who also have T1D.<br />
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<b><span class="userContent">Artificial Pancreas Project - What's new?</span></b><br />
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The 1st session I attended the <span class="userContent">Artificial Pancreas Project - What's new? Presented by John Martin and Jed Rellihan</span>, in this session we heard that the artificial pancreas is currently in the first generation, before the artificial pancreas will be released to the public for sale it must be in the third generation. The researchers and hoping to have the artificial pancreas on the market for sale in the next 10 years. We were blessed to hear from Jed Rellihan a 14yo T1D who has participated in the Artificial Pancreas Project trial, he did advise that the <a href="http://www.dexcom.com/" target="_blank">Dexcom</a> sensor was proven to be the best US available CGM. <br />
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When the 1st session was complete it was time for some grub and more networking. During the lunch session the tables had breaking the ice type questions to get everyone acquainted with each other at your table. The table that we sat at was about sleepovers, PS .... We already knew everyone at our table :) ..., it was a great time talking to other moms about sleepovers and how to handle them.<br />
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<b>Nutrition - Go Deep </b><br />
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The 2nd session that I attended was Nutrition - Go Deep! This session was presented by <span class="userContent">Nan Borchardt. During this session we learned about Complete and Incomplete proteins </span><br />
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Carbohydrates like to be first in line to your intestines and only take 15 minutes to convert to blood glucose.<br />
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Proteins take 2-3 hours to convert to blood glucose<br />
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Fats take 3-4 hours to covert to blood glucose.<br />
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When eating a meal using the 2/1 ratio carb to protein will help diminish the postprandial spike<br />
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This was a very interesting nutrition refresher course (for me personally this is the first time I was hearing and learning this technique)<br />
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<b>The Teen Brain </b><br />
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The last and final breakout session that I attended today was The Teen Brain. During this session we had an open discussion about all things related to having a teenager and dealing with T1D. (As most of you know Aly is only 8 but I wanted to know what to look forward to in the future).<br />
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During this discussion we spoke from everything from puberty, to drinking and how it affects T1D, to dating, anxiety and depression, driving, hormones, and much much more.<br />
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The things that I took from this session were:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Have <span class="userContent"> your teen work with you in trying to identify
the factors as to why their blood sugars are why they are the number
that they are</span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">Growth hormones make teens become insulin resistant</span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">Androgen and estrogen can cause a teen to need more insulin</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">Teens with type 1 diabetes having a rigger risk of depression and anxiety</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">Teen girl with T1D may do insulin manipulation to try and lose weight. Please watch out for this</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">Puberty typically ends at 16.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">Your teen will be okay and they will mess up.
The best thing to do is have an open dialogue with your child so they
can tell you and you can help them get back on track</span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">You can do the best you can but your child is still independent of you. They will make their own choices</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">A lot of times with anxiety you will see behavioral issues in children and teens</span> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">As parents we have type 3 diabetes we don't live with it but we deal with it daily </span> </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"> In closing I have to say that the JDRF Kansas City Family Connections Retreat was an amazing event to attend, it was very informative and very good socializing. If you ever have the chance to attend one of the JDRF education sessions in your area try and make it.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"> </span> </span> </span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><br /></span>Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822886775770838648.post-66419898720269664412013-01-29T09:26:00.001-06:002013-01-29T09:29:15.667-06:00JDRF Reach and Teach U OmahaThis past weekend my best friend and I journeyed out to Omaha, NE for the JDRF Omaha Chapter Reach and Teach U event. If you are unaware of what this event is, it is a learning experience for families of children with T1D to go to some "classes" about specific issues that they may want to know more information on.<br />
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At this event they started with a opening speaker by the name of <a href="http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/dteam/JoeSolowiejczyk.htm" target="_blank"> </a><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/dteam/JoeSolowiejczyk.htm" target="_blank">Joe Solowiejczyk</a>, </span></span>Joe is a healthcare professional who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 40 years, he was an amazing motivational speaker. He really hit home on a lot of points, like scheduling diabetes depression days every once in a while where you (if you have T1D) or your child (if they have T1D) can have a pity party and just feel bad for themselves that they have to deal with this crummy disease .... yes it probably "could be worse" but for them right now this is the worst, and my favorite thing from his opening speech was when he said to have some fun with diabetes and to run over a old blood sugar meter or smash it to pieces with a hammer. I liked this idea because diabetes is such a strenuous disease where you are "on deck" 24/7/365 and so every once in a while it is good to have a little fun and "stick it" to diabetes.You can watch one families take on this practice <a href="http://www.ydmv.net/2008/08/smash-your-meter-on-youtube.html" target="_blank">here</a> on the <a href="http://www.ydmv.net/" target="_blank">Your Diabetes May Vary</a> blog<br />
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For the 1st session that we attended was "Back to School Basics", this session focused on IEP, IDEA, and 504 plans. This session gave great resources for parents to use like the <a href="http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/diabetes-care-at-school/legal-protections/state-laws-and-policies.html" target="_blank">ADA State Laws </a>that will help protect their child in the school setting.<br />
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The 2nd session that we attended was "Navigating Diabetes", this session briefly touched on transitioning your child from "family diabetes care" to "personal diabetes care" but focused mainly on the online resources that parents, teens, and children can use to get more knowledge or be able to speak with others dealing with the diagnosis of T1D. Some of the resources that were presented were<br />
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<a href="http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=103431" target="_blank">JDRF</a> - JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D)
research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to
children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the
largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research
is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating
progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better
treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of
partners who share this goal.<br />
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<a href="http://kids.jdrf.org/" target="_blank">JDRF Kids Online</a> - <span class="header1">JDRF Kids Online is intended for use by children
ages 8 and up without adult assistance. But all children, including
those under age 8, will greatly benefit from sharing this online
experience with adults.</span><br />
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<a href="http://typeonenation.org/p/juvenation_welcome.aspx" target="_blank">Type One Nation</a> - TypeOneNation is a vibrant social network created especially for and by people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones<br />
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<a href="http://www.diabetes.org/" target="_blank">American Diabetes Association</a> - We lead the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected—by diabetes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/" target="_blank">Children With Diabetes</a> - The mission of Children with Diabetes, Inc. is to promote understanding
of the care and treatment of diabetes, especially in children; to
increase awareness of the need for unrestricted diabetes care for
children at school and daycare; to support families living with
diabetes; and to promote understanding of research into a cure.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ndep.nih.gov/" target="_blank">National Diabetes Education Program</a> - Established in 1997, the National Diabetes Education Program is a
federally-funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services’ National Institutes of Health and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and includes over 200 partners at the
federal, state and local levels, working together to improve the
treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, promote early
diagnosis, and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.behavioraldiabetesinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Behavioral Diabetes Institute</a> - The Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI), with its <a href="http://www.behavioraldiabetesinstitute.org/about-Behavioral-Diabetes-Institute-Team.html">team of dedicated professionals</a>, is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping people with diabetes live long, healthy and happy lives.<br />
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<a href="http://family.go.com/parenting/pkg-type-1-diabetes/" target="_blank">Disney Family</a> - This website is a collaboration between Disney and <a href="http://www.lillydiabetes.com/Pages/index.aspx" target="_blank">Eli Lilly</a> that has resourceful information for parents and children alike<br />
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<a href="http://dlife.com/" target="_blank">dLife</a> - dLife was established to address the overwhelming consumer need for
real, practical solutions to the 24/7 challenge of managing diabetes vs.
episodic clinical treatment.<br />
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<a href="http://tudiabetes.org/" target="_blank">TuDiabetes</a> - A community of people touched by diabetes, a program of the <a href="http://www.diabeteshandsfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Diabetes Hands Foundation</a><br />
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<a href="http://1sweetlife.org/" target="_blank">1 Sweet Life</a> - Provide hope and inspiration to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.1sweetlife.org/" target="_blank">Parenting Diabetes Kids</a> - Come join us as we support one another in our battle against type 1 diabetes!<br />
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<a href="http://tcoyd.org/" target="_blank">Taking Control of Your Diabetes</a> - Guided by the belief that every person with diabetes has the right to
live a healthy, happy, and productive life, Taking Control of Your
Diabetes educates and motivates people with diabetes to take a more
active role in their condition and provides innovative and integrative
continuing diabetes education to medical professionals caring for people
with diabetes.<br />
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<a href="http://insulindependence.org/" target="_blank">Insulindependence </a> - Insulindependence inspires people with diabetes to set personal fitness goals, educate them on adaptive management techniques through hands on experience, and equips them to explore their individual capacities<br />
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<a href="http://www.safesittings.com/" target="_blank">Safe Sittings</a> - <b>SAFESITTINGS</b> is a nationwide website that makes
available teens with Type 1 diabetes as babysitters for children with
diabetes. These teens have been managing their own care for many years.
They understand the dangerous highs ands lows inherent in the disease
and have the skills to test blood sugars, give insulin injections,
adjust insulin pumps and treat hypoglycemia.<br />
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This list of resources is no where near all the resources that are out there on the internet but there were the ones that were supplied in this specific training class.<br />
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During the last portion of this event the Closing Speaker <span class="userContent">Tricia Jensen, RN, CDE, CPT spoke on </span> <span class="userContent">Diabetes won't hold me back. Tricia is an RN in Nebraska who has lived with T1D since she was 1 year of age, a current <a href="http://www.myomnipod.com/" target="_blank">Omnipod</a></span> user, and an athlete. She has gone skydiving, participated in triathalons, the Warrior Run, and several other 5k runs. She never lets diabetes stop her from doing and achieving what ever she wants to do. She says it does take extra planning to be able to do most of these events but she is able to do them and has a blast.<br />
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In conclusion this was a very good informative event. I look forward to attending a few more of these event though out the year at different JDRF chapters.<br />
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**** This weekend Aly and I will be attending the JDRF Kansas City Chapter Family Connections Retreat, so look forward to a recap :) ****</div>
Voice of the D-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460274143638555315noreply@blogger.com0