PLEDGING FOR A CURE
I am asking for YOUR help to fund the research needed in finding a CURE for Juvenile Diabetes (JD). My name is Pam Barker and on April 18, 2008 my world was turned upside down. This is the day we rushed our youngest son Cole to the emergency room and found out he had Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1). We were in the Emergency Room with Cole from 4pm in the afternoon until 1 am the next morning, because he was too sick to go to the Diabetes ward but not sick enough for the ICU. He was extremely lethargic, dehydrated and muscles aching all over. They tried 5 times to do his blood draw but were unable to get his blood, finally after some fluids they were able to do his blood work. For all of us this was a big hit! Cole was our athlete, a very determined, competitive and healthy young man, and now he is laying there so weak and helpless. He had lost 12 lbs in less than a week. For those of you that have children, brothers, sisters and loved ones, you can never prepare for that day when you hear these words, “Your son has Juvenile Diabetes-a life threatening disease”. My heart was crushed, I couldn’t breathe, finally the air came and all I could do was hold him and cry softly. Cole laid there in the bed in the ER, asking questions about JD so bravely, not knowing anything about how dramatically his life was going to change! I am committed to helping find a "CURE for COLE” and other JD children. Until you live the life of a child with JD or you are a parent of a child with JD you cannot imagine the effects JD has on them. Please help me in the fight for Juvenile Diabetes, so every child can have a normal, happy and healthy life. On October 11, 2008 my family (Cole's Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles) will be walking for Juvenile Diabetes. It is called "Walk to Cure Diabetes", and I am asking for pledges for this GREAT cause. Without your help we cannot make the funding it will take for the research to CURE JUVENILE DIABETES for OUR CHILDREN. If you would like to donate to my team: "CURE for COLE" please log onto http://walk.jdrf.org/, and make your pledge. I know Cole and my Family, thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for any amount you can pledge. No amount is too small or too large for this GREAT CAUSE. Please make your donations today and God Bless YOU and YOUR Families Health and Happiness!!

ABOUT MY SON COLE
My son Cole was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes on April of 2008, he is 12 years old and struggling with this life threatening disease. He is new to the JD world and is still learning how to cope with many, many new changes in his life, how different foods effect his blood sugars (BS), when to eat and be on the same eating routine everyday as close as possible, how sports (which he loves so much and is very competitive in basketball, baseball, football, and track to name a few) effect his blood sugars, how he has to adjust his eating habits prior to theses events in order to keep his BS up and in a healthy range, so he does not become hypoglycemic (a low BS that can cause seizers or coma) or he could have extreme high's with his BS that will land him in the hospital. These are only a few of the things that Cole has to juggle every day of his life now. The things that drive him crazy are always counting his carbs before he eats, pricking his fingers to take his BS, so he will know what his BS is in order to give himself a shot of insulin so he can eat. Then 2 hours after he has eaten Cole has to prick his finger and take his blood sugar again to make sure he is in his desired range. Cole has to do this in the morning, before every meal or snack depending on the carb totals, 2 hours after each meal or snack, if he is feeling dizzy, pale in coloring, hunger, nausea, irrational behavior, confusion, personality change, crying, poor coordination, light headed, shakiness, nervous, sweating, headache and sluggishness (possible low and needs food ASAP). Blurry vision, stomachache, nausea, confusion lethargy, increased urination, thirst and hunger are signs of hyperglycemic (possible high and needs insulin ASAP) and at his bedtime. This is an absolute must for JD kids so they know what their BS is. If they keep their BS's in their target range 70% or higher (the more the better!) this reduces their chances of having complications from this disease (mentioned below in Type 1 diabetes). For example when Cole has hit a extreme high or low after a sports activity we average 7-15 finger pricks to get him back to his normal BS range, this is on top of all his regular finger pricks he has to do on a normal day. As you can see, this is a lot of BS testing, finger pricking and possible shots for a child or young person to deal with daily.

Then there are his friends who shy away maybe because they do not understand that you can not catch JD from him, or they just do not know how to act or what to say to him. Well I will tell you, Cole is a normal 12 year old who is no different than any other 12 year old boy, the only thing is that he has to eat healthy, exercise and check his is BS and inject insulin daily in order to live a happy healthy life so he can pursue his hopes and dreams! He can do or be anything that any other 12 year can do or be!! So treat him the same as you did before you heard he had JD, he has not changed an he loves to be Cole not Cole with JD!!

Risk of Complications
People with diabetes must also carefully balance their food intake and their exercise to regulate their blood sugar levels, in an attempt to avoid hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, which can be life threatening. Generally Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. Diabetes is not contagious. You cannot catch diabetes from someone who has it.

What are the problems that can occur from Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1)
High blood sugar levels over a number of years can cause serious damage to the body's organ systems. This damage may cause complications affecting the heart, nerves, kidneys, eyes, and other parts of the body.

What are the warning signs of Diabetes?
Extreme thirst; frequent urination; drowsiness or lethargy; sugar in urine; sudden vision changes; increased appetite; sudden weight loss; fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath; heavy, labored breathing; stupor; and unconsciousness.

How you can HELP find the CURE
There is a lot of hope out there for the cure and everyday we are getting closer and closer to finding the "Cure", but our children need your help! There are many ways you can help our children by volunteering, lobbying with our local, state and federal officials for grants and funding to keep the research going. Walking, riding (bikes and motor cycles) and fund raising events. If you are interested in any of these awesome ways to help our children please visit JDRF and find a chapter near you and help OUR CHILDREN have a better LIFE. http://www.jdrf.org/