- J
I was told I need to make this more heart wrenching. I’m not great at heart wrenching — I’m a “get it done kind” and “these are the facts” kind of person.
First— a sincere thank you to all of our supporters — just in case you don’t make it to the end of this.
Here are the facts for Type 1 Diabetics.
1. Dead in Bed syndrome is terrifying. It primarily effects young diabetics with no prior medical complications except a history of nighttime hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). They got to bed and don’t wake up.
2. Hypo and hyperglycemia both cause symptoms that are dangerous for Jane — confusion, headaches, inability to make decisions, irrational emotions, etc. — all dangerous when Jane are is in her own at school, work, driving, etc.
3. Hormones in developing teens make blood sugar control difficult ... extremely difficult ... at times. Jane has swings in blood sugars that can be hard for her to detect and correct in a timely manner.
4. Diabetic alert Dogs can smell these changes when she doesn’t notice — particularly when she is sleeping. Nighttime and her moving away is my greatest fear as a mother. She often does not wake up to low blood sugars and many times she is so groggy, confused and weak she falls right back to sleep.
5. Low blood sugars cause her to binge eat. When our blood sugar is low, our body becomes desperate. So, when you can’t make rational decisions and your body is screaming for carbs to restore your brain function and energy levels ... well ... we don’t always make great decisions. Ever been at the grocery store on an empty stomach? Imagine standing in a pantry when your body thinks it’s about to starve and possibly die.
7. Diabetes treatment has come a long way ... even in Jane’s eleven years. But, equipment still fails — alarms don’t go off, pumps stop delivering insulin, glucose sensors go bad, etc. It all seems to happen in her sleep.
A diabetes alert dog can help with that. They can help with all of it. They are trained to:
1. Notify the diabetic of lows and highs in blood glucose before she becomes dangerous to herself and people around her (I.e. when driving).
2. Help the diabetic safely navigate their environment
3. Bring them the glucose they need to treat lows — without the binging.
4. Bring Jane what she needs to correct her high blood sugar.
5. Diabetic alert dogs are considered service dogs, can accompany her anywhere and also be trained to help with her anxiety and depression.
We have spent years researching trainers and the dogs. Because we’ve had a few scary incidents with low blood sugars recently, I’m terrified of her living alone for the first time. I can’t really admit this to her.
I wish this is something I alone could do for her, but I will admit that I need help. These dogs cost as much as a car and Insurance does not cover any expenses.
We are extremely grateful and amazed for all donations, shares and emotional support since starting this campaign. Thank you.
First— a sincere thank you to all of our supporters — just in case you don’t make it to the end of this.
Here are the facts for Type 1 Diabetics.
1. Dead in Bed syndrome is terrifying. It primarily effects young diabetics with no prior medical complications except a history of nighttime hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). They got to bed and don’t wake up.
2. Hypo and hyperglycemia both cause symptoms that are dangerous for Jane — confusion, headaches, inability to make decisions, irrational emotions, etc. — all dangerous when Jane are is in her own at school, work, driving, etc.
3. Hormones in developing teens make blood sugar control difficult ... extremely difficult ... at times. Jane has swings in blood sugars that can be hard for her to detect and correct in a timely manner.
4. Diabetic alert Dogs can smell these changes when she doesn’t notice — particularly when she is sleeping. Nighttime and her moving away is my greatest fear as a mother. She often does not wake up to low blood sugars and many times she is so groggy, confused and weak she falls right back to sleep.
5. Low blood sugars cause her to binge eat. When our blood sugar is low, our body becomes desperate. So, when you can’t make rational decisions and your body is screaming for carbs to restore your brain function and energy levels ... well ... we don’t always make great decisions. Ever been at the grocery store on an empty stomach? Imagine standing in a pantry when your body thinks it’s about to starve and possibly die.
7. Diabetes treatment has come a long way ... even in Jane’s eleven years. But, equipment still fails — alarms don’t go off, pumps stop delivering insulin, glucose sensors go bad, etc. It all seems to happen in her sleep.
A diabetes alert dog can help with that. They can help with all of it. They are trained to:
1. Notify the diabetic of lows and highs in blood glucose before she becomes dangerous to herself and people around her (I.e. when driving).
2. Help the diabetic safely navigate their environment
3. Bring them the glucose they need to treat lows — without the binging.
4. Bring Jane what she needs to correct her high blood sugar.
5. Diabetic alert dogs are considered service dogs, can accompany her anywhere and also be trained to help with her anxiety and depression.
We have spent years researching trainers and the dogs. Because we’ve had a few scary incidents with low blood sugars recently, I’m terrified of her living alone for the first time. I can’t really admit this to her.
I wish this is something I alone could do for her, but I will admit that I need help. These dogs cost as much as a car and Insurance does not cover any expenses.
We are extremely grateful and amazed for all donations, shares and emotional support since starting this campaign. Thank you.
