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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLike the Cohens, Carole Friend is also passionate about Type 1 diabetes. After her daughter received a diagnosis at the tender age of 2, Friend began working with Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or JDRF) but longed for a group closer to home that would eliminate the need for families to travel up to two hours one way to participate in activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Friend said, \u201cI struggled to manage the constant blood sugar swings and often felt alone on this journey. When I found T1DE, not only did I feel supported, but my child had peers and mentors who had diabetes just like her. I was able to talk to other parents going through some of the same struggles I was, and I learned more about diabetes. It really made a difference.\u201dDiabetes, especially Type 1, is becoming more commonly diagnosed, and the ages of children diagnosed are becoming increasingly younger. Even with the invention of glucose monitors and apps that track and alert families to impending dangers, families, teachers, coaches, grandparents, and anyone close to someone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes must remain vigilant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith younger children, it\u2019s difficult to match the amount of insulin needed with the food they eat and their spontaneous exercise or activity,\u201d said Friend. \u201cWhile insulin is life-giving, an excess brings on life-threatening hypoglycemia, while a lack of insulin leads to hyperglycemia. Most [Type 1] children experience a rollercoaster of blood glucose throughout the day despite the careful attention of their parents and newer and better technology. This affects their ability to participate in life activities and increases their risk of future complications. They navigate this as their peers and educators around them lack a solid understanding of the nearly invisible challenges they experience.\u201d\u00a0T1DE now offers a range of programs for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including educational opportunities, camps for families, and funding training to school districts across the state. T1DE has a free book program instilling that knowledge is power, especially for families and individuals living with diabetes. The organization helps diabetics have access to needed medical equipment, funds scholarships for equine therapy through Serenity Strides, and partners with the Prayer Pony Foundation to offer \u201cprayer ponies\u201d to children who receive a diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Memorial Day, T1DE hosted its annual 10K and 2-mile walk. Little Critters Petting Zoo, face painting, Balloon Dude Travis, crafts, and Kona Ice provided fun for the entire family after the race. T1DE will continue to be a champion for everyone living with diabetes. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CAELA COHEN was like every other lively 5-year-old \u2014 until she wasn\u2019t. Tea parties with her favorite teddy bear and pillow forts sprawling across the living room carpet turned into round-the-clock monitoring of her blood sugar and painful insulin injections following her diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Caela, along with her parents, Jordon and Caroline, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":22244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n