Hi, my name is Presley and I am doing a fundraiser to raise $3000 dollars to get a diabetic alert dog. On August, 26th, 2022 I went to Urgent Care and they got me an ambulance to an emergency room hospital and that’s where my family found out I was diabetic . I was in diabetic ketoacidosis (or DKA). Then another to Children's Hospital. I was in the hospital for four days! I couldn't eat for three days, I couldn't drink water either. It was super scary. Once I got out of DKA I got out of the ICU and went to the eighth floor, I was super happy. I FINALLY HAD A VIEW. That day I ate tacos. Ever since I got home I have been worried about urgent lows or highs. This dog would make me feel more comfortable at night and day. I’m scared at night and it would be nice to have my own dog to sleep next to me to make me feel safe. And during the day I would feel good too, bc they would comfort me when I’m scared or lonely. They would be my best friend forever. So please help so we can get this dog. This dog would really help me in confidence, nerves , and diabetes. This dog would also help my mom finally sleep all night. The dog would go everywhere with me when I get him he will always be right in my eye where I can see him. I need a friend at school and home. He would make me feel super safe all day, every day.

Thank you for donating,

Presley .

August 26th changed our family forever. Without any warning, in a blink of an eye, I was in the ER with my 9 year old wondering what the heck is going on. Why is she out of breath like she had just finished a marathon? Why is her communication withering away? Then the doctor gave her dad and I the news. She's a diabetic and in severe diabetic ketoacidosis. The doctor also told me had I waited much longer, Presley might not have made it. My mother's instinct saved her life. We spent the next 4 hours confused, scared, not knowing the next move besides getting insulin in her. We were told the doctors and nurses were pleading with every hospital in Colorado to accept Presley into their ICU, but no beds were available. She was almost flown to Salt Lake City! Somehow, the flight nurse managed to get us into Children's Hospital. Minutes before we left in our second ambulance, Presley slipped into a coma. She was unresponsive. When arriving at Children's Hospital, I was told by the ICU doctor to brace myself for a rough night. There was a chance she might not make it due to severe brain swelling, which was causing the coma. There was a higher chance of her coming through with severe brain damage or lifelong mental delays. But, we did have a chance of her coming through completely. Worst conversation I have had in my life! It was unreal (and I still deal with the fear I felt to this day). To sum up a traumatic story, hours later she DID come through and with flying colors! We were sent up to another level in the hospital where we stayed a couple more days getting her insulin, electrolytes and potassium levels balanced. Cardiology problems arose from her potassium levels bottoming out from how much insulin was needed and an additional set of problems.

Every week, every day and even every hour our life changes. Blood sugars rise and drop to dangerous levels. Presley is going through this new autoimmune disease physically. As her mother, I am going through it and managing it mentally. And, together we are going through this new life change emotionally together. The hardest part is nighttime. I hardly sleep and when I do it's in 2-3 hour shifts, waking up and checking her numbers. High glucose numbers are not good, but it takes longer for damage to occur for us to be hospital bound. When her blood glucose drops below 60, we have a problem and need to act quickly or we are off to the hospital. I have already had to call 911 to get her back to normal. I never knew fear until her diagnosis....that one morning I will wake up to her having a low in the middle of the night that I didn't catch and I lose her.

Getting a diabetic-alert dog would mean so much to both my daughter and me. Presley would get the emotional comfort and medical support she needs with this new onset disease. And, I would have a peace of mind when the evening comes, knowing I have a backup to be aware of the changes to her blood glucose. This will also give her some independence without me hovering all the time to make sure she is ok. It will be trained to monitor changes in her breath indicating changes in her blood glucose and alert her to check her blood, bolus insulin or to eat something. If she is unresponsive, they will come to get me or bark until someone comes to help her. A support dog would be life-changing fo our family.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.