A life saving Service Dog for Erin.
Donation protected
A life saving Service Dog for Erin: Awareness for Type 1 Diabetes from the spouse’s perspective!
The reality is that I (we all) almost lost you, Erin Coram to this disease, not once but three times since April 11, 2020. A fact many friends or acquaintances do not know about you. No matter how much I secretly watch/monitor you in your sleep almost every night, the truth is that Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that I am scared will take you too early from me.
For the first time in the eight years of knowing you and being terrified of taking you to the ER, because unfortunately times before the very educated nurses and doctors lacked the education on DKA in a Type 1, who CAN have a “normal” range (not high) blood sugar at the time of arrival to the ER. However, not Friday, from the FD/EMTs of Mooresville, the minute they arrived, they listened to you and I while treating/picking you up, to the team of Doctors and Nurses at the ER, they were spot on with treating DKA. They are heroes in my eyes. They saved you from leaving Will, Brady and I too soon. I pray that this doesn’t happen again to you, but the reality is it CAN and/or WILL. I just don’t know WHEN!
Type 1 Diabetes SUCKS! It is TERRIFYING! It is LIFE THREATENING at times (honestly all the time)! It is EXPENSIVE. It is a DISEASE that has no cure as of today, only treatments to regulate it! AWARENESS, RESEARCH, LISTENING, NOT JUDGING, NOT BLAMING are the keys to helping a family member, a friend or a complete stranger who is fighting this DISEASE! They need your support in moments of crisis, not criticism on how they can “avoid LOWs/HIGHs” or take better care of themselves.
BELIEVE me when I say, Erin and I have heard every reason why this could be avoided from diet, exercise, lifestyle choices, work schedules, insulin pump settings, etc. When the truth is……..a working PANCREAS, not an insulin pump and/or regulating medications that we monitor like a hawk, is all she needs to 100% avoid the sudden onset of DKA and the threat of death. Her PANCREAS does not work, and hasn’t since she was 16, she is 42 now. So no, she can’t stop this from happening on her own, instead as a result, her body must go in to overdrive at times to protect her from any bacteria, disease, virus, medication, or food that may trigger DKA to happen, which results often in sudden and extremely DANGEROUS emergencies for her.
I am beyond grateful for the team of EMTs, Firefighters, Nurses and Doctors that knew it was DKA just by her symptoms, physical appearance and vital signs before ever getting the iv started and doing lab work!
I am NOT judging anyone in this post. I am only trying to make you stop and think about Type 1 Diabetes and the impact it has on the patient and their loved ones!
Erin decided seven months ago after almost losing the battle and her life to Type 1 Diabetes twice within a twelve month period, that it was time for her to have a Type 1 Diabetic Service Dog to help monitor her diabetes. She has been a Type 1 Diabetic for 26 years and it’s time for canine assistance. Erin chose Gracelyn, who was born on October 25, 2021. She is a beautiful Chocolate Lab, whom bonded immediately with Erin. We have begun basic training commands such as sit, stay, come, work. She is starting to recognize when Erin is not herself when a LOW or HIGH blood sugar hits her. However, for Gracie to be properly certified as a Type 1 Diabetic Service Dog, she will need to attend professional training classes and camps for Diabetes. The average cost is between $8,000-$20,000. This is another EXPENSIVE part of being a Type 1 Diabetic. We will be enrolling Gracie in classes when she is between 9-12 months.
I set up a GoFundMe page for Erin to assist with the costs for professional training for Gracelyn (Grace, Gracie, Gracie Girl) to help with the financial burden this disease causes on our family. Service Dog training for Type 1 Diabetes is expensive, just like her insulin pump, monthly supplies, medications and treatment. But now is the time (this ER trip on 6/10/22) confirmed our decision on getting Gracie certified as a Type 1 Diabetic Service Dog as soon as she is old enough to start training (9-12 months old).
We don’t expect you to donate, however any amount that anyone donates, is greatly appreciated.
DIABETES AWARENESS can save lives! Service Dogs are one of the "first responders" in the event of a life-threatening medical emergency.
The reality is that I (we all) almost lost you, Erin Coram to this disease, not once but three times since April 11, 2020. A fact many friends or acquaintances do not know about you. No matter how much I secretly watch/monitor you in your sleep almost every night, the truth is that Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that I am scared will take you too early from me.
For the first time in the eight years of knowing you and being terrified of taking you to the ER, because unfortunately times before the very educated nurses and doctors lacked the education on DKA in a Type 1, who CAN have a “normal” range (not high) blood sugar at the time of arrival to the ER. However, not Friday, from the FD/EMTs of Mooresville, the minute they arrived, they listened to you and I while treating/picking you up, to the team of Doctors and Nurses at the ER, they were spot on with treating DKA. They are heroes in my eyes. They saved you from leaving Will, Brady and I too soon. I pray that this doesn’t happen again to you, but the reality is it CAN and/or WILL. I just don’t know WHEN!
Type 1 Diabetes SUCKS! It is TERRIFYING! It is LIFE THREATENING at times (honestly all the time)! It is EXPENSIVE. It is a DISEASE that has no cure as of today, only treatments to regulate it! AWARENESS, RESEARCH, LISTENING, NOT JUDGING, NOT BLAMING are the keys to helping a family member, a friend or a complete stranger who is fighting this DISEASE! They need your support in moments of crisis, not criticism on how they can “avoid LOWs/HIGHs” or take better care of themselves.
BELIEVE me when I say, Erin and I have heard every reason why this could be avoided from diet, exercise, lifestyle choices, work schedules, insulin pump settings, etc. When the truth is……..a working PANCREAS, not an insulin pump and/or regulating medications that we monitor like a hawk, is all she needs to 100% avoid the sudden onset of DKA and the threat of death. Her PANCREAS does not work, and hasn’t since she was 16, she is 42 now. So no, she can’t stop this from happening on her own, instead as a result, her body must go in to overdrive at times to protect her from any bacteria, disease, virus, medication, or food that may trigger DKA to happen, which results often in sudden and extremely DANGEROUS emergencies for her.
I am beyond grateful for the team of EMTs, Firefighters, Nurses and Doctors that knew it was DKA just by her symptoms, physical appearance and vital signs before ever getting the iv started and doing lab work!
I am NOT judging anyone in this post. I am only trying to make you stop and think about Type 1 Diabetes and the impact it has on the patient and their loved ones!
Erin decided seven months ago after almost losing the battle and her life to Type 1 Diabetes twice within a twelve month period, that it was time for her to have a Type 1 Diabetic Service Dog to help monitor her diabetes. She has been a Type 1 Diabetic for 26 years and it’s time for canine assistance. Erin chose Gracelyn, who was born on October 25, 2021. She is a beautiful Chocolate Lab, whom bonded immediately with Erin. We have begun basic training commands such as sit, stay, come, work. She is starting to recognize when Erin is not herself when a LOW or HIGH blood sugar hits her. However, for Gracie to be properly certified as a Type 1 Diabetic Service Dog, she will need to attend professional training classes and camps for Diabetes. The average cost is between $8,000-$20,000. This is another EXPENSIVE part of being a Type 1 Diabetic. We will be enrolling Gracie in classes when she is between 9-12 months.
I set up a GoFundMe page for Erin to assist with the costs for professional training for Gracelyn (Grace, Gracie, Gracie Girl) to help with the financial burden this disease causes on our family. Service Dog training for Type 1 Diabetes is expensive, just like her insulin pump, monthly supplies, medications and treatment. But now is the time (this ER trip on 6/10/22) confirmed our decision on getting Gracie certified as a Type 1 Diabetic Service Dog as soon as she is old enough to start training (9-12 months old).
We don’t expect you to donate, however any amount that anyone donates, is greatly appreciated.
DIABETES AWARENESS can save lives! Service Dogs are one of the "first responders" in the event of a life-threatening medical emergency.
Organizer and beneficiary
Natalie Taylor
Organizer
Mooresville, IN
Erin Coram
Beneficiary