My son, Frankie Bush was diagnosed in 2008 at 15 months old with Type 1 Diabetes. He was misdiagnosed repeatedly and nearly died from severe Diabetic Keto-Acidosis (DKA). We have struggled since then to work with his health due to constant fluctuating blood sugar levels. While Frankie usually appears as a healthy and active young boy, we struggle daily. Frankie has been wearing an insulin pump and CGM (continuous glucose monitor) since he was 17 months old. While we have attended numerous doctor appointments and tried to keep up with the latest technologies, we still have constant problems with his health. We worry about him daily with simple tasks such as playing in the backyard, swimming or even playing on the Wiiu! His blood sugars drop and rise incredibly quickly!
Type 1, or juvenile diabetes is a devastating, often deadly disease that affects millions of people--a large and growing percentage of them are children, just like our Frankie Guy.
Many people think Type 1 Diabetes can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with Type 1 Diabetes alive, it is NOT a cure! Aside from the daily challenges of living with Type 1 Diabetes, there are many severe, often fatal, complications caused by this disease!
I had been looking into D.A.D.s – Diabetic Alert (Service Skilled Companion) Dogs – for several years. I had read wonderful stories of life saving moments for many Diabetics by these service dogs. I met the Freedom Paws Assistance Dogs foundation in April 2013 at the ADA (American Diabetes Association) EXPO in Chicago. I spoke with them at length and came straight home to fill out their application for a DAD! Freedom Paws is a Not-For-Profit 501c3 organization and asks it’s clients to fundraise $10,000 to help cover part of the cost involved in training a service dog. Plus, all donations are tax deductible!
We traveled to Ohio in July of 2014 and brought home our newest family member, Stanley Bush, on August 5th! Stanley is a flat-coated retriever. He is a perfect match for our Frankie!
Type 1, or juvenile diabetes is a devastating, often deadly disease that affects millions of people--a large and growing percentage of them are children, just like our Frankie Guy.
Many people think Type 1 Diabetes can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with Type 1 Diabetes alive, it is NOT a cure! Aside from the daily challenges of living with Type 1 Diabetes, there are many severe, often fatal, complications caused by this disease!
I had been looking into D.A.D.s – Diabetic Alert (Service Skilled Companion) Dogs – for several years. I had read wonderful stories of life saving moments for many Diabetics by these service dogs. I met the Freedom Paws Assistance Dogs foundation in April 2013 at the ADA (American Diabetes Association) EXPO in Chicago. I spoke with them at length and came straight home to fill out their application for a DAD! Freedom Paws is a Not-For-Profit 501c3 organization and asks it’s clients to fundraise $10,000 to help cover part of the cost involved in training a service dog. Plus, all donations are tax deductible!
We traveled to Ohio in July of 2014 and brought home our newest family member, Stanley Bush, on August 5th! Stanley is a flat-coated retriever. He is a perfect match for our Frankie!