we are submitting our daughter Sydneigh. She inspries us each and every day. She was diagnosed just about 4 yrs ago at the age of 6 and since then has embrached each and every day and the changes that diabetes has brought toher. This past year she was a Youth Ambasator for JDRF where she went out and told her story and what it means to her today and finding a cure tomorrow. At school, play or where ever she is not afraid to talk about and teach people what they need to know. OUr daughter is our light and and makes us work hard at being better parents each and every day.

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!

At the age of 8 my parents knew there was something wrong when I started to lose weight and sleep all the time. My parents believed I had the flu and they hoped with Christmas around the corner, that I would snap out of it. Instead I continued to get worse and after sleeping through Christmas and New Years, ignoring all my new toys and losing almost half my body weight my parents knew the problem was far worse than the flu.

I was taken to see our family doctor the very first day his practice opened in the New Year. I was examined, weighed, given blood work and sent home to await the results. When my father laid me on our couch that day and kissed me goodbye before leaving for a business trip he never imagined that less than 8 hours later our lives would change forever.

On January 2, 1990 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

It is with mixed emotions that I reflect on the last 20 years of my life and what it has been like living with this chronic disease. In the past 20 years I have had over 29,000 injections, tested my glucose over 36,000 times, and used 9 different types of insulin and 10 different glucose meters. I have had to use Glucagon (instant glucose, injected to raise blood glucose in patients who have lost consciousness due to hypoglycemia) 5 times and have had over 40 hospital visits.

As scary as all that sounds with the support of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have lived the last 20 years without complications.

Because of the research efforts of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have had access to the best medications, devices and supplies and I have hope that a cure will be found in my lifetime. Because of the Canadian Diabetes Association my family was able to send me to Camp Huronda (residential summer camp for children living with type 1 diabetes) for 9 years something we would not have been able to afford on our own. Because of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have met over 500 other young people living with diabetes and have been able to share our stories, struggles and triumphs. Because of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have a voice to aid in the fight against diabetes.

On July 24th of this year, our six year old son Liam was diagnosed with T1D after sufferring diabetic ketoacidosis while on a family camping trip. Liam is a very energetic, rambunctious little boy who now tests his blood glucose 4 to 6 times a day and dreams of the day when a cure will be found. He is my hero and the bravest boy I know.

I am the God-mother of 7 year old Emily Grace Nikolic, who has been diagnosed with Diabetes in June of 2011. She is one amazing, active, smart, and caring little girl. Who has taken her diabetes and ran with it like a champion. Never asks why her, even with all of the challenges she has gone through. Has become so very educated in this matter, and is always wanting to learn more about Diabetes, and enjoys talking and explaining everything involved to any one who shows interest. Participates in the walks/runs for finding the cure and all activities offered to her thus far, she is the number 1 advoacate for Diabetes all of this at the age of 7 is certainly something to be very proud of. Love her and will continue to support her and all those with diabetes to fight the fight and find the cure.

On August 14, 2010, 72-year-old Ontario grandfather and Guelph resident, Charlie Barnes delivered on a very important promise, as a member of the Cyclebetes National Cycling Team… to help find a cure for his 15-year-old grandson, Geoffrey Barnes.

“In my lifetime I will do everything in my power to help find a cure…. that’s my promise to Geoffrey. I hope I am an inspiration to Geoffrey and others to get fit mentally and physically and try to make a difference in this world.” says Charlie. In the last 8 years, Charlie has raised more than $80,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by cycling, running and competing in triathlons. Not only is Barnes participating in the relay, but he is also the charismatic and dogged Cyclebetes Ontario Team Captain. He and other members of the team will be riding ‘Dia-Betsy’ the Cyclebetes tandem bike symbolizing that great things are accomplished in ‘tandem’ with others.

Charlie cycled, relay style from the kick off in Halifax on August 14, 2010 through the Maritimes and Quebec and then across his home province of Ontario a total distance of 1500 kms. For the Ontario leg (August 21 – 26) his cycling partner will be none other than his grandson Geoffrey a grade 10 student at John F. Ross CVI. It’s no surprise that Charlie and Geoffrey share an extraordinary bond. Charlie is not only the inspiration, mentor and model he hoped to be to his grandson, but to everyone he meets! Vital, active and purpose-driven with the zeal of a young person describes Barnes to a tee. It’s this energy that has challenged hundreds of others to get moving and on the road to a healthy, active lifestyle. Charlie will be easy to spot – he’ll be out in front, leading the charge!

Ethan was diagnosed with Type 1 at age 3. Now 10 years old, he has never let Diabetes bring him down or stop him from getting all he can out of life. Since 2004 he has helped raised a total of almost $15,000 for the Brantford Walk to Cure Diabetes. This is our third year as Team E-FORCE for the Walk with last years roster at 27 walkers. Ethan has competed in for many seasons of Ball Hockey and taken part in various charity Tournaments including the JDRF Welland Tournament in 2009 to raise money for the Boston Pizza Foundation for JDRF, all three Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournaments so far and the Ontario Road Breakers Street Hockey Charity Tourneys. We always hear what Diabetes takes from our children and their families but it also gives back to us as well. Among bringing families cl oser together and truly making you realize what really matters in life, it makes you aware that their are many diseases that you forget about just because they do not affect you personally. It opens your eyes to more than just yourself and diabetes. It has also given Ethan many great experiences including the opportunity and privilege of meeting many people incl Walter Gretzky at tournaments, country singer George Canyon to discuss life with an insulin pump and many local Dignitaries. He has practiced with the Blue Jays on field, been chosen Athlete of the Week for the Tournament Capital of Ontario website including on-camera interview and even participated in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Ceremonies when it passed through town. Ethan has gone from a shy boy to a kind, active and involved young man who treats the people he meets in life with care and respect. He is our Diabetes Champion every day.

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