In My Community

Team Nena Returns to Walk in Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes

On October 6, 2011, Nena was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This little girl and her family's life were changed forever. A parent's worst nightmare is knowing your child's health has been compromised. The initial fear and helplessness can be overwhelming but you rally for your child and because there are no other options. After many doctor visits, ongoing classes filled with information regarding insulin injections, blood testing devices and lifestyle changes, Nena's A1C blood count has improved from 13% to 7%. However, it's a daily struggle trying to figure out what foods and activities work best for her body. This is a disease she will have to live with for the rest of her life and, until a cure is found, there will be constant worry about her blood sugar numbers 24 hours a day, every day. Will she be too high which can lead to organ damage and possibly a coma? Will she be too low which can lead to disorientation or a seizure? What if she is by herself and any of these situations occur? What if she is sleeping and her blood sugars drop in the middle of the night and she doesn't wake up to call for help? So many factors come in to play with this disease, it can be exhausting but we make it work because the alternative is not acceptable.

Now Nena's family is all about carbohydrates and blood sugar numbers. Since Nena's diagnosis, her family has been able to educate our entire family about type 1 diabetes and how to prevent type 2 diabetes. Team Nena, a friends and family team is participating in their second Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event this year. They are very excited and happy to see all the support they are receiving from family and friends. Even though Nena is the one with type 1 diabetes, her diagnosis has had a huge impact on everyone that loves her!

You too can help Stop Diabetes! Register or donate at www.diabetes.org/stepout or contact Karen Zimmerman at kzimmerman@diabetes.org.