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Our journey with diabetes began nine years ago when our son, Joseph was diagnosed at age 17 months. Needless to say the wind was knocked out of us. The next few days were a blur, trying to learn how to care for our toddler, giving him shots, learning about nutrition and checking blood sugars. The scariest things we heard were the complications from diabetes: Heart disease, kidney failure, loss of limbs, and blindness. We couldn’t believe that this could be the fate of our son.
Years have past from that initial shock of “the diagnosis”, but one thing still remains, Joseph is still diabetic and continues to depend on insulin as life support. |
Living with diabetes as an 11 year old boy isn’t easy. Joseph constantly explains to his friends why he has a pump, why he checks his blood sugar, and why he visits the nurse frequently. Joseph has to be constantly aware of his body. He checks his blood sugar on the sidelines as well as in the dug out. Going to a friend’s house is a major ordeal in our house. He/we have to worry about carbohydrate counts, taking insulin and going low.
Through all of this Joseph is an inspiration to all who come in contact with him. To look at him you would never know anything is wrong with him. He has a positive attitude and a contagious laugh. However, there is a major difference – having diabetes means he will be insulin dependant the rest of his life. Insulin is not a cure – merely life support. He is required to check his blood sugar by pricking his fingers 6-8 times daily and takes insulin with every meal and snack. When Joseph’s blood sugars are too low he is at risk for seizures, which can lead to brain damage. When they are too high it can cause long - term damage to his vital organs putting him at risk for hear disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.
Our family has chosen to make a difference in finding a cure for Joseph and others who share this disease with him. Raising money for research in empowering for him and for us. Joseph is working hard for what means most to him – a cure for his own disease.
We began participating in the “Walk to Cure Diabetes” in Atlanta with our team affectionately named “Joseph’s Dream Team” fifty members strong.
As years passed, Joseph grew and became involved with sports; his friends became involved in sports so traveling to Atlanta on a Saturday morning became impossible due to games and other commitments. Joseph said he wanted to walk with his friends. We wanted to make that happen for him. In October 2004 the “Walk to Cure Diabetes” in Cumming, GA was born. We were supported by our family, friends, and church family. There were 100 in attendance and $25,000 raised for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Last year it grew. Nine families (300 walkers) joined us raising $52,000 for JDRF. This year was over 34 teams, 1,100 walkers participated raising over $100,000.
As you can see, we are working very hard to find a cure for our son. Because of this little boy a community came together on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Cumming, GA to raise money for a cure for diabetes.
We encourage you to help in any way possible to help our son and the other children who suffer from this disease that has taken their childhood. He doesn’t remember a his life without diabetes, but maybe one day, thanks to your support he will
Thank you
Joe and Natalie (Joseph’s Parents) |
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