Esme's Diabetic Alert Dog Fund
Donation protected
On February 27, 2016 my two year old granddaughter, Esme Paz Hennessy, had to be rushed to the emergency room at Dell Children's Hospital where she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Thanks to the quick action of her parents, the expert care of her medical team, and after a night in pediatric intensive care, her condition was stabilized. The next few days spent in the hospital were a blur for Esme and her family, as treatment for her condition was established and Mom, Dad, and her big brother Julio learned how to care for her medical needs.
Type 1 Diabetes or "T1D" (formerly called Juvenile Diabetes) is different from the much more common Type 2 Diabetes. T1D is caused by an autoimmune response in which the body mistakes the insulin producing cells in the pancreas for a foreign invader and destroys them. Insulin is a critical hormone that the body produces that allows blood sugar to be used by the cells in the body. Since Esme's pancreas can no longer produce any insulin, she will have to receive injections of insulin several times a day for the rest of her life, or until a cure is found.
With all that has happened, we still have a lot to be grateful for. Her parents, Faye and Ted, are strong and united. Her brother Julio is caring and protective. Esme herself is courageous and helping with her own care, swabbing her fingertip herself and even pricking it for the glucose testing that must go on constantly. She even touches the test strip to the droplet of blood to get the reading. With all his, she continues to be the happy, playful, and exasperating two year old we have all come to love so much.
We can also be grateful that medical treatments have become so much more effective. Esme is wearing an insulin pump that can more accurately calculate the dosage that her tiny body needs. Glucose meters allow for ongoing monitoring, and an automated wearable meter will be coming soon. She also has medical insurance that, while not perfect, helps to defray the financial impact of this chronic disease.
An important element of her care that is not covered by insurance will be a Diabetic Alert Dog or "DAD". These service animals provide for an important extra margin of safety for T1D patients. Keeping glucose levels within a safe range is a constant challenge, and is even more difficult with small children. Glucose levels that are too high are very dangerous, and levels that are too low can be deadly. A DAD uses its training and exquisite sense of smell to detect and alert for problems, sometimes even before they show up on a glucose monitor. This is particularly important during sleep when levels normally drop, and during physical activity, which can burn off insulin more quickly. DADs have often been credited with saving the lives of their patients.
Acquiring and training a DAD for Esme will not be an easy process. It will take many months to choose the right trainer, find the right animal, and to train it thoroughly. Typically, a DAD will not be assigned for at least a year after initial diagnosis of T1D. The cost will be high, with total expenses of perhaps $15,000 or more.
This is a long term project, and to accomplish the goal of getting a DAD for Esme in 2017 we need to start now. I am asking you, as a friend, colleague, or family member of Esme, Faye, Ted, and Julio to give what you can now to get this ball rolling, and to give more later if you are able, to sustain the effort.
Your help will not only serve keep our precious Esme safe and healthy, but a DAD will also provide her with a loving as supportive animal companion as she goes forward in life with T1D.
With gratitude,
Dwayne Kolly ("Lalo")
Type 1 Diabetes or "T1D" (formerly called Juvenile Diabetes) is different from the much more common Type 2 Diabetes. T1D is caused by an autoimmune response in which the body mistakes the insulin producing cells in the pancreas for a foreign invader and destroys them. Insulin is a critical hormone that the body produces that allows blood sugar to be used by the cells in the body. Since Esme's pancreas can no longer produce any insulin, she will have to receive injections of insulin several times a day for the rest of her life, or until a cure is found.
With all that has happened, we still have a lot to be grateful for. Her parents, Faye and Ted, are strong and united. Her brother Julio is caring and protective. Esme herself is courageous and helping with her own care, swabbing her fingertip herself and even pricking it for the glucose testing that must go on constantly. She even touches the test strip to the droplet of blood to get the reading. With all his, she continues to be the happy, playful, and exasperating two year old we have all come to love so much.
We can also be grateful that medical treatments have become so much more effective. Esme is wearing an insulin pump that can more accurately calculate the dosage that her tiny body needs. Glucose meters allow for ongoing monitoring, and an automated wearable meter will be coming soon. She also has medical insurance that, while not perfect, helps to defray the financial impact of this chronic disease.
An important element of her care that is not covered by insurance will be a Diabetic Alert Dog or "DAD". These service animals provide for an important extra margin of safety for T1D patients. Keeping glucose levels within a safe range is a constant challenge, and is even more difficult with small children. Glucose levels that are too high are very dangerous, and levels that are too low can be deadly. A DAD uses its training and exquisite sense of smell to detect and alert for problems, sometimes even before they show up on a glucose monitor. This is particularly important during sleep when levels normally drop, and during physical activity, which can burn off insulin more quickly. DADs have often been credited with saving the lives of their patients.
Acquiring and training a DAD for Esme will not be an easy process. It will take many months to choose the right trainer, find the right animal, and to train it thoroughly. Typically, a DAD will not be assigned for at least a year after initial diagnosis of T1D. The cost will be high, with total expenses of perhaps $15,000 or more.
This is a long term project, and to accomplish the goal of getting a DAD for Esme in 2017 we need to start now. I am asking you, as a friend, colleague, or family member of Esme, Faye, Ted, and Julio to give what you can now to get this ball rolling, and to give more later if you are able, to sustain the effort.
Your help will not only serve keep our precious Esme safe and healthy, but a DAD will also provide her with a loving as supportive animal companion as she goes forward in life with T1D.
With gratitude,
Dwayne Kolly ("Lalo")
Organizer and beneficiary
Dwayne Kolly
Organizer
Faye Kolly
Beneficiary