Paying It Forward: Kids Helping Kids

Diabetes rocked our world when Luke was diagnosed, and we had an incredible amount of support from our family and friends. Fast forward 17 months and  Luke wants to pay it forward!

Luke is on a mission. He is dedicating his USAT Nationals Youth Championship Triathlon Race  on July 31st to a cause that hits very close to home. He is partnering with Florida Hospital  in Orlando Florida to raise money for uninsured kids who are managing their diabetes and have trouble affording the necessities. The high cost of insulin, testing strips, pen needles, lancets and other vital supplies is often a large barrier to many families.

Here is a breakdown of daily costs for these items that keep Luke and other type one diabetics alive each day:

Testing strips: $1 per strip (usally one tests at least 6-8 times per day) and a box of 100 usually costs $100.
Insulin: $200 per pack of 5 insulin pens. (needles not included)
Lancets/Needles: Those prices vary starting around $10 per box. (varying)
Glucogon: $50 (lifesaving pen if ones sugar drops extremely low)

I am so proud of Luke’s desire to help others, and spread awareness, all for the sake of potentially saving a life!

In order to bring change to our communities, we must BE THE CHANGE!

Please go to Luke’s Community Campaign Page to help Luke help other kids. The page was created for Luke by Florida Hospital, Orlando.

Spread Awareness. Be the Voice.

BE THE CHANGE!

T:Slim G4 Has Arrived!

An update from my previous post, or shall I say melt down?

We spent over a month fighting for Luke’s diabetes insulin pump, only to be denied twice! What a roller coaster of emotions that was, until our sweet diabetes educator called and shared with us about a pump that we might need to consider.

Long story short, we opted to stop fighting an uphill, long battle for the Animas Vibe and got with the new T:Slim G4 Insulin Pump. Needless to say, we could not be more excited about this decision, especially since our Dexcom is integrated with this pump. Life is about to get much easier for Luke and frankly, for us all!

While we ended up not fighting the long battle, we still never gave up. And the lesson to be learned in it all is simply that. As parents, we will fight for our kids, and do anything for them. I was willing to continue to submit letters, make phone calls, and petition for weeks possibly months to see this through for my son. But in the end, we were given a second option that was incredible and was certainly not a step down, but a step up!

Life doesn’t always play out like I envision it to, but often takes turns in the road that lead to many more possibilities with an even greater ending. This was one of those stories.

Now, onto our next battle….. Change legislation in how youth under the age of 18 are tested for Type 1 Diabetes! Strap in tight with your seat belts, and hang on…. this next battle is going to be a long one but WE WILL SUCCEED and we WILL NOT STOP until we do!

Get ready…. Join us in being THE CHANGE!

The Face of Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes

This is the face of Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes.

It is strong. It is resilient. It is determined. It is over coming boundaries. It is succeeding where it doesn’t seem possible. It is living and thriving!

Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes does not define this kid nor does it control what he does.

HE is in control and is determined to share his story with others in hopes to bring change to how they view living a healthy lifestyle.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. We are getting ready to launch Luke’s story and bring change to legislation! This takes a group effort. This picture speaks a thousand words, but it also shows how a group effort can bring change to many lives. Chris Clark is the face of Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes. Chris was the first Type 1 Diabetic to complete an Ultraman Triathlon.

Thank you Chris Clark for starting a fire within us all. Together we,

Will. Be. The. Change!

November, Diabetes Awareness Month.

Be healthy. Be strong. Be resilient. Be determined. Be an over comer. Be the voice.

Be the change.