Monday, August 18, 2014

It's not about the Ice Bucket and My Response to the Challenge

My husband nominated me to complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today, after he took part by dumping ice water on himself and donating. I will not be dumping ice water on myself, but I still believe I have met the challenge. I made a donation.

In case, you haven't been on social media, live under a rock, or were just oblivious like me for a while, you can find a brief story here from the NY Times. Basically, you dump the ice water on your head or donate $100 to ALS. Now I am extremely jealous of the response this has gotten for ALS. Mainly because of the monetary donations it has garnered for the organization for research endeavors. It's so simple. It costs practically nothing. Genius. I wish someone had thought of this for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) years ago.

The goal of a stunt like this is two-fold: create awareness and get donations. Without a doubt, the Ice Bucket Challenge has done just that and more. So when I was challenged, I made a donation and have decided to call it a day. I don't need to dump ice water on my head; I need to let others know I have made a donation. Now was it the $100? No, but that is because the majority of my extra funds go to JDRF for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research. Does this mean I don't care about ALS? No. I have personally known two of the most amazing people that lived, battled, and lost their fight with ALS. It is a fight I would wish on no one, but so is my son's fight with T1D. The value or sum you donate doesn't really matter. Every little bit helps and goes towards the greater good and fight for a cure, whether it be $1 or $100.

Grayson and me at a back to school picnic.
Awareness can come in many forms: a bucket of ice water dumped over your head or you telling others you have donated and why. That is the true challenge: Let. Others. Know. You don't have to tell how much; that's personal. But you should let others know you have given and why. Your de
claration may invoke others to step up and give. In the end, ALS, Komen, JDRF, etc want your support, but your money is what makes an impact in the long run.

I was able to attend a conference for JDRF this summer. It was amazing, and the most important thing I learned was to share my son's story and not to be afraid to ask for the money that could eventually lead to a cure for T1D. The artificial pancreas, smart insulin, encapsulation, and better care for my son are possible because of the contributions of fellow believers.
Part of the DFW JDRF group with the JDRF President. I am holding an encapsulation device. So. Cool.

So. It's not about the Ice Bucket. It's about a call to arms to share your story and why you give. Share it loud and share it proud for all those engaged in the fight.

Donate to ALS for Dr. Joe Kuban, Sandy Lutz or your loved one.

Donate to JDRF for Grayson or Charlotte, or the millions of other T1Ds.



Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Everything AND the Kitchen Sink

While at the hospital, we were taught how to keep a log to track all the data from blood sugar checks, carb intake, insulin given, and the time all this happens. You can read more about how we use these logs here.

Grayson was diagnosed October 12, 2010, and I have EVERY log for EVERY month/week since that date. They are all in a binder that sits on the kitchen counter. Each week (when he was on shots, a log lasted a month, but since starting the pump, they are weekly) I add a new log on top each week and start fresh. When we go to the endocronologist every threes months, I take the whole thing.

As I flip through the pages, I can remember the changes we have gone through three and a half years ago. We now understand how to better care for Grayson on a daily basis. By no means do we understand this crazy disease, but I am pretty kinda mostly confident that my husband and I are doing the best we can.

Am I a hoarder? Probably. But, I just can't seem to be able to let go of these pieces of paper. Eventually, I will move the older logs to a file and put them away or something. Eventually. Right now, I am comforted by their presence together.

Diabetes may be a large part of our lives now, but we can still live a full life and be happy.