Sugar Mama

Aunty Jess and Penny

My younger and only sister Jessica is a Type 1 Diabetic.  Type 1 otherwise known as Juvenile Diabetes is a life threatening and altering disease that can strike any child for what seems to be no reason at all.  Some research leads to the belief this form of diabetes is caused by a virus while others show some genetic links but at the end of the day I don't care what caused it, I just want a cure.  Jessica went DKA (diabetic keto-acidosis) when she was only 10 years old. I will never forget the day she was diagnosed as long as I live, this was the first time in my life I realized that someone I loved could die. I was 13 and in 8th grade when Jessica went from a stomach bug to coma in a matter of hours. I can remember so clearly my dad walking me in the room to see her that day and I barely recognized her. Jess who was always a little chunky as a kid was now so thin, pale, weak and seemed so lifeless. I didn't know what was wrong but seeing my parents faces smothered with worry, I knew it was bad... I truly believe the saving grace was the fact my dad was just finishing up his education and knew the body pretty well. He knew what she needed and how to keep her healthy throughout her adolescence. Jessica was strong and smart and learned very quickly how to take care of herself, we all did. I was 13 but able to calculate her needed carbs to insulin ratio. I knew how to give her an injection or rub honey or sugar to the inside of her cheek if I ever found her unresponsive, I knew how to protect her from the complications of a disease that we couldn't stop. As time marched on Jess did pretty well. She had very few issues with her health as my parents stayed actively involved in keeping her blood sugar levels under control but as she got older and hit that rebellious stage that every teenager hits, she had trouble. Jess had moments of giving up, not wanting to check her sugar while her friends lived normal lives. She didn't want t be different and I couldn't blame her. I watched on as my parents lived with fear and worry of what long term damage she was doing to her body but we were all helpless. For several years I watched as Jessica gambled with her own life and all of the complications that come with the lack of glucose (sugar) control. I knew if she didn't get it together she would lose her eye sight, kidney function and probably end up on dialysis until her body would finally give out all together. I worried and worried and worried some more. Fortunately this stage was not the longest and she grew up. Jessica was married and shortly there after became pregnant with my pride and joy, Talyn. I am indebted to this little man because he and he alone saved my sister. Talyn is the reason that Jessica took her own health care seriously. Jess became a mom from the moment of conception knowing that if her health wasn't at the top of its game, he would suffer. Thankfully her valiant efforts to health gave us a healthy beautiful boy and kept Jessica pretty complication free the last 7 years.

Jessica is Talyn's hero...

Graysen may not get the severity of her moms illness yet but she has done her part in keeping Jess on track since the moment we began expecting her. Jessica will do anything necessary to stay healthy to live a long life if for no other reason than being there for her kids.

It's been nearly 20 years since the scary day I thought my sister was handed a death sentence but I don't see it that way anymore. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as we get closer and closer to a cure. Last Saturday we hit the pavement in a walk to raise money for Juvenile Diabetic Research and it was a blast!

Gray was obviously stoked

Ty and Talyn ready to get this party started

Even Josh came out to support Jess and this wonderful cause.

Prior to the walk beginning there were a few speeches from the people who worked so hard to get the fundraiser together. An announcement was made that Madera and Fresno Counties had made that day the official Juvinelle Diabetic Awarness day. The man who read the announcement and acknowledged the cause tried to hold back tears as he read, he obviously is just as effected as we are with this disease. The best part of the walk is always seeing the families on the little, little kids because their families always tend to go all out for the walk. They will have specialty shirts made that say things like, "Kaylees Warriors" or "Insulin Addicts" I absolutely love seeing the support but it still choked me up knowing the struggles that these families will face in the future. I wish I could warn them that the teenage years are just gonna suck but instead we all just smile at each other... They're almost fake smiles we pass back and forth because as happy as we are that there is research and there is support there is still no cure, no answer and fear of the unknown still lies within all of us....but we walk on....

and we're off

Gray did not complain of the walk one bit; although, she didn't walk two steps either...

Gigi was upset there was a little girl on a motorized toy car, she said it was cheating...

Twins lovin the walk

Ty showing off some muscles pulling the wagon uphill

We really did have a great time and we all finished together

Grandma Gina and Ty

Gigi walking Penny

Penny loving all the commotion

Charlie with food all over her face and yes I have simply given up on trying to control the twins hair, its wild and unruly and cannot be tamed.

This picture says it all...

This walk was not just about research but about love. This walk was our way once again to show Jess we have her back, we love her, we support her and diabetes will not win this battle. 

Much Love

Diabetes Won't Win - click here to donate or get more information on Juvenile Diabetes Research