This is a difficult post to write. I don’t often write such personal, heart-felt posts.
My 9-year-old son Elijah was diagnosed with the rare Type 1 Diabetes in June. (Only 5% of people with diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes.) He was in ICU the last 3 days of his 3rd grade school year.
This has changed our family’s lives in many, many ways. He needs insulin injections at least 4 times a day – every time he eat. We monitor his blood sugar by pricking his fingers 6-10+ times a day and fight low blood sugar day and night.
We have given him over 500 shots since June…
This makes me incredibly sad, angry, and also thankful that there is insulin to sustain his life.
It breaks my heart that in order to live he needs injections with every meal.
It breaks my heart that there is nothing he or I or my husband could have done to prevent this autoimmune disease from attacking and killing his pancreas.
It breaks my heart that he will have type 1 diabetes and be dependent on insulin for his entire life.
There is no pill – there is no diet or lifestyle change – there is no cure..so far.
Our hope is that one day there will be a cure for my precious, sweet boy.
Indeed I believe one day my son will not have to have needles injecting insulin, finger pricks on his fingertips or any artificial life sustaining device attached to him.
My number one job as a mom has always been to take care of my children – and I love it. When faced with an incurable autoimmune disease like Type 1 Diabetes, it can be very frustrating. At times, I feel hopeless like when my son reluctantly asked me,
“Mom, can I pretend that I don’t have diabetes?”
Tears welled up in my eyes and filled my heart.
As Christians, we do have hope. Our hope is in Christ Jesus our Savior, the master healer who loves us more than we can even imagine, more than we even love our own children. I pray for a cure every day.
I am also doing my part, as little as it is, to help search for a cure. This is why I my family is participating in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 28th. JDRF raises vital funds that power the global movement to help cure, treat, and prevent Type 1 Diabetes.
Now, this is the time that I am asking everyone I know and come into contact with to come along side of me and my family in our search for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Every single dollar is one step closer to finding a cure for this life changing, life-threatening disease.
If you are reading this post and have been a fan of AkronOhioMoms anytime over the past 6 years, I am asking you to support our JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Team with a donation.
My son named our team “Home Compass” because our compass always points to hope. He is a positive boy, even with diabetes.
If everyone who visits AkronOhioMoms.com this month donated just $1, it would be tens of thousands of dollars that would go toward a cure. How amazing would that be?! If every AkronOhioMoms.com Facebook Fan donated $1, it would be $6,817!
I know there are many great causes to support, there are many diseases that need a cure, there are many fundraisers sent home from school and extracurricular activities. Money is tight for everyone. I understand this.
If you are a mom, you also know how I feel when it comes to the health of our children. We all want the best for our children, to live a happy, healthy, fulfilled life.
One day, I don’t want my son to have to ask if he can pretend to not have diabetes. One day, I want him to be able to live a healthy, active life without needles, pricked fingers, and the fear of having his blood sugar go too low.
This blog is my #1 resource to reach like-minded people that also care deeply for their children. I hope you don’t mind my heartfelt request for support for JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.
Thank you for considering, I appreciate it and the time reading this, message.
Yours,
Cindy Orley
Special Shout-Out to Local Sponsors for JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes
Many thanks to GDC Industries for donating our team shirts for our walk!
GDC Industries is your premier destination for screen printing, embroidery, and graphic design. They cater to both businesses & individuals in Ohio and beyond.
Like GDC on Facebook.
Sincere thanks to the sweet people at Because of You Confections and Creations. They are donating 1/2 of all profits in September to the JDRF!
Enjoy their delicious and original fudge flavors like bubblegum, Oreo, cookie dough and more. They also prepare made-to-order confections and treats including buckeyes.
