JaKe's Journey: Life With T1D
Donation protected
Hello,
This is my son Jacob McDowell. JaKe has T1D, an autoimmune disease. There is no cure for this disease, only 'management'. This is a very exspensive disease. It's time consuming. It's exhausting and relentless. We need your help.
Our Goals here are to raise funds to help with medical fees and a medical alert system. YOU can help this child. YOUR donation will make a huge difference in his life.
Below you will find What Is T1D and Our Story in detail. I will continue to post updates following us through JaKe's Journey: Life With T1D. We thank you for your time, your attention and your donations.

Jake is now 12 years old. A bright and brave boy. He's smart and funny and the center ofmy life. 15 months ago Jake was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was a huge shock to say the least. The bigger shock was to learn that I knew nothing about this terrible disease.
I mean, it's diabetes, right? Take away the candy and potato chips and get the kid off the couch...no brainer! This is what I always thought as I saw the cans with a kids picture on it asking for donation at the check out counter of the gas station. I was so very wrong.
What Is T1D
T1D is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs
when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.
T1D is a terminal illness and a constant challenge. People with the disease must carefully balance insulin with multiple injection, by eating and normal
activities throughout the day and night. They must also test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. Despite this constant attention, people with T1D still run the risk of dangerous high or low blood sugar levels, both of which can be life-threatening in itself. T1D shortens your life span and can have terminal results in less than 24 hours.
Our Story:
Jacob had been ill, lethargic, tired, listless, losing weight, edgy and more for months. Friends noticed, teachers commented, and numerous doctor visits did not catch it.
One weekend he had fallen down some stairs at his father's house, he was acting very confused and out of it so I took him to the ER thinking he had a concussion. The doctor to a brief look and agreed. Ordered a urine and blood samples then sent him for X-rays and CAT scan. But when the urine test came back everything change and started happing so fast. The doctor sat me down and said he didn't expect this at all. He said Jake was extremely sick with DKA (diabetic ketone acidosis) and asked if I preferred the pediatric ICU at UofL or UK. Before I knew it we were in an ambulance, lights and all rushing to U.K. Hospital in Lexington.
That was February 15th 2015. Our lives changed in a way we never considered.

Unfortunately we were lax and tried let Jacob be like every other kid during summer break. He missed doses, blood sugar checks and did not sleep or eat on a strict schedule. It was summer and he just wanted to be a normal kid. Sleep late, eat when he wanted, and not be watched every moment of the day by mom or dad. We learned a hard lesson because Jake landed in the ICU again June 31st. Now our days are scheduled from sun up to sun down.
On average Jacob tests his blood sugar a minimum of 8 times a day. He takes insulin injections a minimum of 4 times a day. That's 12 needles a day, 84 needles in a week, 336 needles in a month, and 4,032 in a year. It's painful, at times overwhelming, and imparative for his life.

And if there is any worse time than another to get the terrible disease, it's a preteen going through puberty. T1D reeks havic on the body's hormones. Understandable since insulin is a hormone. But knowing about it doesn't help much.
Jake, like many children with disablitites and illness are ridiculed by their peers. They lose friend from simply not being around or able to join in the activities. School has gone from "Cool I get to see my friends" to "I don't want to be this freak anymore". It's hard on a kid.
It's also hard on the parent...me. I love my son and will go to any legnth for him. Any legnth! And I do not blame Jacob or T1D for any of my problems or finacial short comings. But the situation does call for a bit of an adjustment.
I was layed off in January 2016 from my company. And trust me when I say there was no better place to work. No other employer could ever give me the time and leeway I need for my son. It was a very sad parting for us. Finding a job that would allow me even half of that has been unsuccsessful.
Jacob has missed 36 days of school this year. Not this school year, just in 2016. The last 3 weeks before we took him out of school he only attended 1 full day and 4 half days. The last month of the school year he was taken out of the school to finish the year as a Home Bound student.

Currently Jacob's A1C is 9.9. The A1C test is a blood test that provides information about a person's average levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past 3 months. The A1C test is based on the attachment of glucose to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Optimal A1C is around 7.0. Sounds like a foreing langue to anyone who doesn't have T1D....This means his average daily blood sugar is currently around 279 when it should be around 120.
Consistant highs like this will land us back in the ICU for a 3rd time if we can't get it corrected. This means extra blood sugar checks...my favorite is the 2:00 AM! Ok not really....so extra blood sugar checks, increased doses of insulin, using more needles. More trips to the doctor. More of everything. As I have said, this disease is exhausting.
And it's expsensive. The stress of the ongoing, normal expenses is really starting to wear on both of us. I try not to let Jacob know how much things cost or how much money we actually do not have. But he's smart. He see the stress in me.
I want a better life for my son. I want him to not only have the minimum he needs to manage this disease, but any additional available resources. I want to take the extra worry from him that he feels for me and blames on himself becauseof the T1D. Kids have so much emtional stress as it is. Growing up and a puberty is hard enough by itself.

Jacob is such a good kid and so brave! He deserves ever chance at not just normal life, but a great life! So I am asking for your help.
Funds will only be spent on JaKe's needs, his insulin and supplies. And as needed for additional supplies and doctor's visits. The rest will remain in the account here until we can meet our goal and are able to get the medical alert system....Medical Alert Dog.
Click here for more information about Diabetic Medical AlertDogs. http://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/dogs#Training2
Once we have fulfilled these goals this account will stay open. We may at times still need help to cover monthly insulin and supplies or docot's bills, but to also continue as a fund to be donated to the research to find a cure for T1D. One day we hope to turn Type 1 into Type NONE!
And if you have nothing to give, that's fine too. But please, keep Jacob in your prays. Pray for all afflicted with T1D and the families who support them. We wage war with this disease every day. We go to sleep and wake up the next morning knowing we will fight again. But we know we must survive now and cry later. That's what we do for our children.
Thank you so very much and God bless you.

This is my son Jacob McDowell. JaKe has T1D, an autoimmune disease. There is no cure for this disease, only 'management'. This is a very exspensive disease. It's time consuming. It's exhausting and relentless. We need your help.
Our Goals here are to raise funds to help with medical fees and a medical alert system. YOU can help this child. YOUR donation will make a huge difference in his life.
Below you will find What Is T1D and Our Story in detail. I will continue to post updates following us through JaKe's Journey: Life With T1D. We thank you for your time, your attention and your donations.
Jake is now 12 years old. A bright and brave boy. He's smart and funny and the center ofmy life. 15 months ago Jake was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was a huge shock to say the least. The bigger shock was to learn that I knew nothing about this terrible disease.
I mean, it's diabetes, right? Take away the candy and potato chips and get the kid off the couch...no brainer! This is what I always thought as I saw the cans with a kids picture on it asking for donation at the check out counter of the gas station. I was so very wrong.
What Is T1D
T1D is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs
when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.
T1D is a terminal illness and a constant challenge. People with the disease must carefully balance insulin with multiple injection, by eating and normal
activities throughout the day and night. They must also test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. Despite this constant attention, people with T1D still run the risk of dangerous high or low blood sugar levels, both of which can be life-threatening in itself. T1D shortens your life span and can have terminal results in less than 24 hours.
Our Story:
Jacob had been ill, lethargic, tired, listless, losing weight, edgy and more for months. Friends noticed, teachers commented, and numerous doctor visits did not catch it.
One weekend he had fallen down some stairs at his father's house, he was acting very confused and out of it so I took him to the ER thinking he had a concussion. The doctor to a brief look and agreed. Ordered a urine and blood samples then sent him for X-rays and CAT scan. But when the urine test came back everything change and started happing so fast. The doctor sat me down and said he didn't expect this at all. He said Jake was extremely sick with DKA (diabetic ketone acidosis) and asked if I preferred the pediatric ICU at UofL or UK. Before I knew it we were in an ambulance, lights and all rushing to U.K. Hospital in Lexington.
That was February 15th 2015. Our lives changed in a way we never considered.
Unfortunately we were lax and tried let Jacob be like every other kid during summer break. He missed doses, blood sugar checks and did not sleep or eat on a strict schedule. It was summer and he just wanted to be a normal kid. Sleep late, eat when he wanted, and not be watched every moment of the day by mom or dad. We learned a hard lesson because Jake landed in the ICU again June 31st. Now our days are scheduled from sun up to sun down.
On average Jacob tests his blood sugar a minimum of 8 times a day. He takes insulin injections a minimum of 4 times a day. That's 12 needles a day, 84 needles in a week, 336 needles in a month, and 4,032 in a year. It's painful, at times overwhelming, and imparative for his life.
And if there is any worse time than another to get the terrible disease, it's a preteen going through puberty. T1D reeks havic on the body's hormones. Understandable since insulin is a hormone. But knowing about it doesn't help much.
Jake, like many children with disablitites and illness are ridiculed by their peers. They lose friend from simply not being around or able to join in the activities. School has gone from "Cool I get to see my friends" to "I don't want to be this freak anymore". It's hard on a kid.
It's also hard on the parent...me. I love my son and will go to any legnth for him. Any legnth! And I do not blame Jacob or T1D for any of my problems or finacial short comings. But the situation does call for a bit of an adjustment.
I was layed off in January 2016 from my company. And trust me when I say there was no better place to work. No other employer could ever give me the time and leeway I need for my son. It was a very sad parting for us. Finding a job that would allow me even half of that has been unsuccsessful.
Jacob has missed 36 days of school this year. Not this school year, just in 2016. The last 3 weeks before we took him out of school he only attended 1 full day and 4 half days. The last month of the school year he was taken out of the school to finish the year as a Home Bound student.
Currently Jacob's A1C is 9.9. The A1C test is a blood test that provides information about a person's average levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past 3 months. The A1C test is based on the attachment of glucose to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Optimal A1C is around 7.0. Sounds like a foreing langue to anyone who doesn't have T1D....This means his average daily blood sugar is currently around 279 when it should be around 120.
Consistant highs like this will land us back in the ICU for a 3rd time if we can't get it corrected. This means extra blood sugar checks...my favorite is the 2:00 AM! Ok not really....so extra blood sugar checks, increased doses of insulin, using more needles. More trips to the doctor. More of everything. As I have said, this disease is exhausting.
And it's expsensive. The stress of the ongoing, normal expenses is really starting to wear on both of us. I try not to let Jacob know how much things cost or how much money we actually do not have. But he's smart. He see the stress in me.
I want a better life for my son. I want him to not only have the minimum he needs to manage this disease, but any additional available resources. I want to take the extra worry from him that he feels for me and blames on himself becauseof the T1D. Kids have so much emtional stress as it is. Growing up and a puberty is hard enough by itself.
Jacob is such a good kid and so brave! He deserves ever chance at not just normal life, but a great life! So I am asking for your help.
Funds will only be spent on JaKe's needs, his insulin and supplies. And as needed for additional supplies and doctor's visits. The rest will remain in the account here until we can meet our goal and are able to get the medical alert system....Medical Alert Dog.
Click here for more information about Diabetic Medical AlertDogs. http://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/dogs#Training2
Once we have fulfilled these goals this account will stay open. We may at times still need help to cover monthly insulin and supplies or docot's bills, but to also continue as a fund to be donated to the research to find a cure for T1D. One day we hope to turn Type 1 into Type NONE!
And if you have nothing to give, that's fine too. But please, keep Jacob in your prays. Pray for all afflicted with T1D and the families who support them. We wage war with this disease every day. We go to sleep and wake up the next morning knowing we will fight again. But we know we must survive now and cry later. That's what we do for our children.
Thank you so very much and God bless you.
Organizer
Darcey Annette Frazier
Organizer
Lawrenceburg, KY