Dear friends and family,
This year, our family will once again be taking part in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, so that we can raise money to help Olivia and all the others out there affected with Type 1 Diabetes (AKA Juvenile Diabetes). By the way, for those of you who may not know our family as well as others, Olivia is on the left in the picture and her sister Audrey is on the right.
Olivia was diagnosed with this disease on August 21st, 2005 when she was only 7 months old. Almost 4 years have gone by and we have seen a lot of things happen to better the lives of those living with this disease. If you have donated in the past, you are a part of these great things that are happening. Olivia has been wearing an insulin pump for 3 years now and it has been much better for us than daily insulin injections. In March, she learned how to check her own blood sugar and is now putting numbers into her pump with supervision. Although we are used to the daily life of living with diabetes it is still sometimes a difficult road. I want to share a story of something Olivia said to me:
Monday, February 16, 2009
Olivia came to me tonight in tears because her pump pack holding her insulin pump was all twisted and falling off and she was extremely frustrated with it. Here was our conversation:
Her: I don't want to have diabetes anymore.
Me: You don't?
Her: No, I don't want to have diabetes anymore, I want to be a different girl.
Me: Oh honey, I'm sorry. Please don't be sad. God made you very special with diabetes and mommy loves you so much just how you are.
It didn't take long for her to get distracted by something else and she didn't bring it up again but this is the first time since she got diabetes 3 1/2 years ago that I have ever heard that she didn't want to have diabetes and that she wanted to be another girl. Breaks my heart. God, please wrap your arms around my sweetie tonight and help her feel special. Help me to help her get through this life being a little different living with diabetes.
There is some good news, though. Scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within our lifetime!
We know that times are hard right now with the economy the way it is so we understand if you aren't able to help this year but if you are able, even to give a small amount would be great. We appreciate all the prayers and support you can give.
Thank you
Steve, Heather, Olivia, Audrey, and Baby Boy Lee
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