My daughter Alexis was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in January of 2010 at the tender age of 5. Life can change so dramatically in the blink of an eye – one day she was a healthy 5yr old and the next day she had a life threatening disease. However, within the matter of one week, she went from a terrified little girl (who had to be held down by 2 people while the third gave her insulin shots while she screamed and kicked) to a brave, accepting very grown up little girl who now self injects, remembers her site rotation, participates in carb counting and dose calculating, knows which type of insulin she needs when and tells me what to do for highs or lows!

Alexis is currently on multiple daily injections, and according to my calculations – between insulin and blood sugar monitoring, is poked approximately 17 times a day…on a “good” day! She never complains or feels sorry for herself. Instead, my little human pin cushion takes it all in stride and has incorporated her Diabetes Regimen seamlessly into her daily activities. She is fiercely proud of who she is – an intelligent and determined little girl who is a karate champion, excels in school, is learning a second language and oh yeah, has Type 1 Diabetes – and she never holds back from telling everyone about it. She spreads awareness every single day of her life and doesn’t even know it! She has accepted Diabetes and all that comes with it in a most courageous and graceful way, it boggles my mind and she definitely makes an impact on anyone who sees her in action. She amazes her school teachers and diabetes care team with her incredible knowledge of Diabetes.

It is Alexis’ strength that gets me through every single day. Talk about role reversal!

When Alexis was first diagnosed, I questioned why my innocent little girl would be inflicted with such a life altering disease. The answer is being revealed to me by Alexis every moment of her life as she tackles the gruelling task of managing her diabetes with such courage and charisma. She is my Diabetes Champion hands down.

On November 14, 2011, Ivanka Lupenec from the Canadian Diabetes Association joined 30 eager children and staff at a local Vancouver BC childcare centre to celebrate World Diabetes Day. These wide eyed, very attentive children learned about diabetes, the 90th Anniversary of the Discovery of Insulin in Canada, and what they will do to bring diabetes awareness to their families and in their community. They are young diabetes champions who will spread the word and make a difference!

Staff dressed in blue to draw awareness to World Diabetes Day

The Hope Lions Club draws awareness to World Diabetes Day by wearing blue every year.

I am a mother to two little girls–Jazmine is 8 and Jenna is 5. Jenna was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of two. As a parent, you never imagine a life threatening illness could suddenly strike your beautiful, healthy child. When my baby was diagnosed I went through all the grieving stages. I grieved the loss of a healthy child without any complications–without any reliance on treatments or pharmaceuticals. Without insulin, my daughter would not live. That is an incredibly sobering, gut-wrenching realization to have to come to terms with.

But my Jenna is a survivor. She is incredibly strong and resilient. Jenna loves school and enjoys playing with her friends. She has taught me a thing or two about living. Her bravery and determination inspire me. I am committed to advocating for her and everyone living with diabetes to promote education and awareness and ultimately support the search for better treatments and a cure.

We have a greater appreciation for the simple things. We live life to its fullest. Diabetes has become just another part of our lives. It isn’t easy, but we have an enormous community of people touched by diabetes as our support network. Support is crucial.

In 2007 I developed gestational diabetes. After the birth of my daughter my 6 week check up was great and my blood sugars had returned to normal! Unfortunately, by September of 2008 the signs of diabetes had presented themselves again; extreme fatigue, nausea, weight loss. Exercise, diet restrictions and medication changes worked for short periods but the weight loss and fatigue continued. Not to mention the extreme thirst and frequent trips to the washroom through the night. In March of 2009 I was referred to an endocrinologist who told me I had type 1 diabetes and required insulin for life. Since then I have continued to keep those dietary changes and exercise practices in place. I feel so much better!

Each year my family and friends rally together and we participate in the JDRF Telus Walk for diabetes and each November I canvass in my neighborhood for the Canadian Diabetes Association. With the giving help of so many people, I believe research will find a cure for this widely known disease that is sadly misunderstood.

On November 14 we are wearing blue to show our awareness!

Julie is a mom of 3 children with type 1 diabetes. Julie’s daughter went on the insulin pump when she was 3 years old and Julie couldn’t find a fun way for her to wear her insulin pump so her best friend and her created Pump Wear Inc., over the years, Julie has provided a constant source of fun creative ways to wear an insulin pump, along with diabetes awareness items, she has supported fund raising efforts to find a cure for diabetes, has instituted the wall of change on her website to earn funds for jdrf and has over the past year helped to sponsor a free family weekend for over 15 families totally free to beable to get away and bond with other families.

For more information, visit www.pumpwearinc.com

Dawn