We were thrown a curve ball 2 weeks ago when our daughter, Tiffany, (7) was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. We knew nothing about this new diagnosis, but soon became aware of the challenges and impacts this illness would have on our lives. We spent 3 days in the hospital, as she recovered from DKA (a life-threatening complication that sometimes happens with undiagnosed diabetes and high blood sugar). During those days, we had a crash course in how to manage diabetes (and we've been learning ever since!). Our first reaction to this "new normal" was, "this is an impossible way to live." Over these few weeks, this "impossible" way of life has become our "new normal." Some days it feels very routine and others, it still feels impossibly hard. As her parents, We hate that this has to be her "new normal."

2 weeks later she loves to play soccer, play with friends and go camping with family. We have worked hard to not allow diabetes to hold her back or feel like a burden. However, Type 1 Diabetes impacts her life everyday. There are hundreds of decisions to make each day, in order to keep her blood sugar in a healthy range. We must monitor her blood sugar 24/7, including throughout the night, as growing children experience fluctuations in blood sugar for many reasons that are often outside our control. Blood sugar that is too high, leaves our daughter feeling awful, unable to participate in activities she loves, and leaves her at risk of future complications. Conversely, low blood sugar is more immediately threatening and if left untreated, can lead to seizures, unconsciousness and worse (I don’t like to think about that). Tiffany is now on a pump and Dexcom sensor but they aren’t always reliable, nor is she always able to feel and respond to her blood sugar changes. More often, she experiences hypo unawareness, meaning she does not always feel her lows (especially at night). This increases her risk of life-threatening consequences from low blood sugar. 

We recently reached out to a service dog program and was told once we can come up with the money for a down payment + dog training they can start the process for her to be able to own her service dog. She is over the moon excited! However, the fees (to have the dog fully trained and certified) are more than we can handle on our own, so we are embarking on a BIG fundraising effort. 

We know that having a diabetic alert dog will benefit Tiffany’s life in so many ways! A Service Dog will alert to lows and highs, increasing her safety and lifting some of the burden and worry that we all experience. Additionally, the support of the dog will increase her confidence and allow her to venture out more independently. She will be able to enjoy more of the "normal" childhood experiences, such as going to the park with a friend or having a sleepover at a friend's house (something she has not been able to experience so far). We will all feel safer at night with the "back up" support of her dog.  Having diabetes can feel lonely, isolating, and some days, it is just too much for a child to deal with. In addition to helping keep her safe, we know that a service dog will provide Tiffany with a feeling of security, friendship, and emotional support. 

It's so hard to ask for help, but having a child with a lifelong, life threatening condition has taught us the meaning of vulnerability. So here we are reaching out, humbly taking on this journey and trusting in the support and love of community to help Tiffany meet her Diabetic Alert Dog.

Every little bit will help and if you are unable to support in a financial way, please help us get the word out by sharing.