Hi! My name is Sarah Soetermans and I live with Type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed with this lifelong disease almost ten years ago when I was 15 years old.

I am happily married to my middle school sweetheart Nikolas, and we have a beautiful 22-month-old daughter.

Type 1 diabetes has majorly changed my life in many aspects. Recently, I have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia unawareness which means my sugar will hit dangerously low levels (<54 mg/dl) before I will ever show symptoms. My husband has had to wake me from my sleep on many occasions because I cannot wake up on my own when my sugars reach these low levels. I will sweat profusely, shake severely, and have moderate confusion during these episodes.

I am raising money for a diabetic alert service dog. I have been approved through a nonprofit organization and am currently in the fundraising portion. A diabetic service dog would be trained to alert me well before these episodes happen and allow me to treat my glucose before a severe low takes place. Not only would the service dog be able to alert me that my glucose is dropping, but be able to receive snacks and drinks for me to correct my sugar. The dog will also be trained to alert others that my sugar is low in the event that I become unconscious or unable to obtain help on my own. I am often alone with my young daughter and many of these severe lows take place when I am alone. This is unsafe for both myself and my daughter. The service dog would give me and my family peace of mind that I am safe when I am alone and allow me to live more confidently with my Type 1 diabetes.

This diabetic service dog will have a major impact on me and my family. The generous donations will go towards helping me reach my goal of $14,000 dollars to get my service animal. Extra donations over my $14,000 goal will go towards helping me pay for the client team training that is required to get my service dog as well as the lodging for two weeks during this training seminar which takes place at the nonprofit organization. Myself and my family cannot express the gratitude we feel for the love and support you show by giving donations. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!