Hi everyone,

We’re writing as Alva’s mom and dad to share a little about our brave 4-year-old daughter and ask for help during a very challenging time for our family.

In January, our world turned upside down when our daughter Alva was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Just a few months later, in April, we were hit with a second life-changing diagnosis: Celiac Disease. Each of these conditions is incredibly complex on its own — but managing both, especially at such a young age, has been overwhelming, exhausting, and at times, heartbreaking.

While both Duncan and I live with Type 1 ourselves, caring for a child with these conditions is an entirely different experience. The level of constant vigilance, the emotional toll, and the unpredictability of a growing body make it a whole new kind of challenge.

Life with Type 1

Alva now requires constant monitoring and care. She is on both long- and short-acting insulin and uses a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), which we change every 10 days. She receives 3–6 insulin injections a day, and nights are especially difficult — we often wake 2 to 3 times to treat highs or lows. It feels like we’ve returned to the newborn stage — sleep-deprived and always on alert.

Her initial hospital stay was incredibly traumatic — for all of us. Alva endured up to 15 pokes a day for blood sugar checks and insulin, and we often had to hold her down just to get through the treatments. As parents, especially being Type 1 ourselves, it was gut-wrenching to watch her world shift so dramatically and so suddenly. She’s braved plenty of fear, confusion, and grief as a young child.

We’re slowly finding our rhythm. Alva has shown amazing strength — she’s now taking shots like a champ, and we’re learning to support her more gently and effectively. But the emotional and financial toll has been heavy.

A Hard Decision: Homeschooling for Her Health

Alva truly loves school — she thrives in social settings, enjoys learning, and her school has been nothing but amazing in supporting our family. We’re incredibly grateful for the kindness and care shown to her there.

But despite that support, maintaining stable blood sugar throughout the day — especially during illness, growth spurts, or unexpected changes — became extremely challenging. Layering on the complexities of managing Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac, navigating social dynamics, setting boundaries, and supporting her emotional well-being, it eventually became clear that something needed to shift.

After months of careful thought, we made the difficult decision to withdraw Alva from school and homeschool her for kindergarten. This gives us the ability to better support her physical and emotional needs and create a lower-stress environment where we can work toward more consistent blood sugar management.

It was the right decision for Alva — one made with love and care — but it also means moving to a single income, adding another layer of financial strain to an already demanding situation.

Why We're Asking for Help

- Hospital bills

- Ongoing doctor visits

- Medical supplies (CGM sensors, insulin, test strips, etc.)

- Lost income from time off work

We’ve set a goal of $6,500 to help us get through this next chapter. Any amount, big or small, will make a meaningful difference for our family.

Meet Alva

Alva is imaginative, social, outdoorsy, and full of life. Whether she’s crafting “nature salads” from leaves and flowers, cutting paper into wild and wonderful art, racing around on her scooter, or playing with friends, she fills our days with light, laughter, and creativity. She loves skiing in the winter, camping under the stars, and exploring the world around her with endless curiosity and joy.

She’s a rule follower (most of the time ), a good friend, and an incredible little soul who dreams of visiting South America and New Zealand. Despite everything, she’s been unbelievably resilient — embracing her “new normal” with curiosity and courage.

Thank you for reading and for supporting us in any way you can — financially, emotionally, or by sharing our story. We are so grateful for our community, and we know we’ll get through this with love, patience, and the kindness of others.

Sincerely,

Duncan, Kadee, and Alva