eat. pray. bolus.

It's been a little over a week since our JDRF Walk.  I wish that time would just slow down a bit.  Really.  There is so much going on all around us...I wish we could absorb more of it.  Anyway, let's get back to the walk, shall we?...
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On Sunday, November 7th, C headed up her first walk team ever!  For the past however-many-years, we have joined a couple different teams.  But this year, C made it clear that she was ready to take on the task of forming her own team and putting in the effort to raise funds.  So, how could we say "no" to that??

And, so, C's Pack formed.  Family joined.  Friends joined.  Friends of friends joined.  Relatives of friends joined.  All-in-all, her team ended up being over 60 people strong!  Donations started rolling in from distant relatives and from some we've only met online!  It truly amazed us!  Her team efforts resulted in donations totaling over $2,600.


What touched us even more than the financial generosity was the participation...the actual walkers who showed up to support her and the others we know that deal with diabetes every single day.  To say the least, it sparked a fire in her, I believe!  What encouragement she (we) felt to see her little friends walking up and down the hills of Dodger Stadium...


It was a terrific day.  And, maybe even a little education was given to bring more awareness to the disease.  We handed out a paper with lots of myth-busting information regarding diabetes.  We just felt that the turn-out for C's Pack was so tremendous, we wanted everyone to go home with a better sense of why we were going to such effort to raise money.


Here's a look back on the day...a terrific one!

60 + strong!

Self-explanatory.

 

 

Heading up her own team.

Friends made it special!

eat. pray. bolus.  Our shirts were a hit!

Supportive friends.

Every time we're there, I think I'll take a picture of this...World Diabetes Day, you know!

 If you'd like to see the entire photo album, come join us on our Facebook page!

Walkin'

 Tomorrow is the 1st of 2 JDRF walks we will be participating in this fall.  We have walked in this one for the past 5 years.  Always, we have bee welcomed warmly onto the Kids That Care team, headed up by our friend K.  They were the first type 1 family we met, way back when...

This particular walk is super fun and family-oriented.  Kids are even encouraged to bring their dogs...which reminds me of the year we went to the walk with 1 dog and came home with 2.  (Don't ask.)

However, this year's walk has an extra special twist.  We will meet and walk with the Kids That Care team, as usual.  The special treat will come after the walk is over.

A friend from the DOC (Diabetes Online Community) will be there, walking with quite the awesome "Team Ninjabetic."  We've been invited, along with many other DOC'ers, to a wonderful celebration afterwards.  You see, George, the Ninjabetic, is celebrating his 20th diaversary...that's 20 years of living with diabetes.  Celebrating, you ask?  Yes!  Here is a clear example of  looking through positive glasses at a life with diabetes.  There is so much to celebrate!  This is what helps us stay encouraged and strong in our fight against diabetes...people like George.

In addition to meeting the Ninjabetic in person, we will also have the opportunity to "meet" many other DOC'ers.  I'm looking forward to being among so many others who understand our situation with diabetes, completely.  On a day-to-day basis, C stands very alone with this disease.  Not tomorrow.  It should be an awesome time!

I wonder if there will be bacon?

"Kids That Care"

Each year, Kaitlyn M (13) has organized and run a fundraiser benefitting the Inland Empire chapter of the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Coming up on September 26, 2009 Kaitlyn will be taking on the task once again. She will set up the Craft, Cookie and Lemonade Stand at her house.  Donations will be raised for her walk team, "Kids That Care."  You see, Kaitlyn is your typical teenager. She attends middle school, hangs out with her friends and plays softball. However, she does all these things with the added challenge of type 1 diabetes.

Kaitlyn and friend at last year's walk.

mpg: When were you first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?

KM:  October 14, 1998, I was 2 1/2.

mpg: What do you remember from the early time of your diagnosis?

KM:  I was scared and always needed my band-aids.

mpg: Everyone is always curious about the symptoms. What were some of the things happening with you that led your parents to notice something just wasn't quite right?

KM:  I was constantly going to the restroom and was always thirsty. I had the flu and we think that triggered it.

mpg: Briefly, what is your daily routine in managing your diabetes?

KM:  7:00am- Wake up, test and bolus for breakfast.

          8:30- Go to school, drop off test kit at nurses office.

          10:45 (2nd Period)- Test and bolus for snack/

           12:50pm (4th Period)- Test and bolus for lunch.

           4:00- Go home, test and bolus for afternoon snack.

            6:30- Test and bolus for dinner.

            Days over! 9:30 (Bedtime)- Test and write down numbers for the day.

mpg: What do you wish people would understand about diabetes?

KM:  It is not contagious, we occasionally have sugary foods and most importantly we are normal people, we just have to watch what we eat and test our blood sugar.


mpg: What is your biggest challenge in dealing with this disease?

KM:  Not being able to eat all the candy with my friends, I don't have the same freedom as everyone else in general.


mpg: What would you tell a friend who has been newly diagnosed?

KM:  Hang in there, it's a pain, and if you need me I'll be there.

mpg: What made you want to start fundraising for the JDRF?

KM:  I don't like this disease, whatsoever, and we need a cure and JDRF helps fund research to find the cure we most definitely need.


mpg: Describe what people will find when they come out to your fundraiser.

KM:  They will find crafts, cookies, and ice cold lemonade. My friends and family will be there helping and supporting me and I will guarantee they will leave with a smile on their face!

Kaitlyn and some of her team, Kids That Care.

If you are in or around the Southern California area this Saturday - September 26th, come on by!  Leave a comment and my pump gear will contact you via email with specific location and times for the Craft, Cookie & Lemonade Stand.

The Inland Empire's JDRF Walk is coming up on Saturday, October 3, 2009.  If you're in the area you may want to join the team.  Come on out to and help support this great cause. Together we can make a difference! If you'd like to join in the walk or simply make a direct donation to the JDRF, simply go to their website and follow the link to donate. http://www.jdrf.org/. Don't forget to mention "Kids That Care!"  Thank you!!