On December 28th, 2012 Our Caleb, at 9 years of age, was diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes. This came as a complete shock. He had been to his well check only 5 weeks before. During that time he lost 12 pounds.
We have no history of Diabetes in any of our family that we know of. Along with Diabetes Caleb was diagnosed with Celiac disease (no gluten!). Our lives quickly changed.
Caleb has done well with this lifetime diagnosis. He gives himself 3 shots during the day and one shot before bed. He checks his blood via prick 7-10 times a day. He experiences lows (which means he needs sugar) often.
Caleb has 6 siblings and loves Legos and lacrosse. He needs a family member with him at all times during any active activity where his levels change.
During his hospital stay he learned about a D.A.D. A diabetic alert dog can sense when Caleb is low or high. A dog can help an active kid like Caleb be able to be more independent, especially as he enters the tween years. A D.A.D will also alert his owner of problems when the child is sleeping.
Our doctor feels like a dog would be an excellent set of extra eyes when Caleb plays sports, camps, sleeps and loves life. With the help and prompting of awesome family and friends we are on a journey to help Caleb live a normal healthy life. We pray one day there will be a cure but until then we are excited to see how God will use His amazing creation in Caleb's precious life and hope a service alert dog will help that be possible.