Evan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 4. It was discovered after a steroids treatment for Asthma. Hours later Evan was extremely thirsty and running to the bathroom a lot. At naptime, I noticed her breath smelled like a banana. I instantly thought, “Is that Diabetes? I mean what are the chances she would be diabetic?” You see, I have Type 1 Diabetes but I adopted Evan so genetics have nothing to do with this.  Because of my diabetes, I was familiar with the symptoms (like extreme thirst, frequent urination and sweet smelling breath). I had my glucometer at home and was able to test her blood sugar. My heart dropped when the glucometer read 496. We immediately went to the Emergency Room. I know with my Diabetes that steroids can raise your blood sugar drastically so I prayed her blood sugar was high because of steroids but no. The next day we were sent to Dr. Mark Watkins for further testing, diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Watkins started Evan on insulin shots.

I have had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 19 years old. I know about the complications and the seriousness of this disease. I cried for days for my daughter about the trials she will face that lie ahead of her in her life. Then I stopped crying and dealt with all of this as best I could. God gave us both this disease and brought us together. I mean seriously, what are the odds of a diabetic unknowingly adopting another diabetic? God knew what he was doing when he put us together as a family. “Have faith,” I kept telling myself.

Because Evan grew up watching me test my blood sugar, she immediately accepted poking her own finger and giving herself shots (with adult supervision of course). A year after being diagnosed, Evan went on an Insulin Pump. She is constantly learning about her disease, her pump, how to eat healthy and how to count carbohydrates. Though each day is tiring with constantly tracking everything that touches our lips and monitoring our blood sugars 24/7, I have faith. I have hope. I believe a cure will be discovered for Diabetes someday. Having Type 1 Diabetes is not the end of the world…not for an adult nor a child. Evan is just like any other child in countless ways…she’s just more aware of her health, what she eats, etc. than your average 5 year old. She can do anything she sets her mind to.

Sometimes superheroes reside in the hearts
of small children fighting big battles.

Evie is my SUPERHERO! I have the world’s toughest kid! She doesn’t let Diabetes slow her down at all and she takes all those evil finger pokes and insulin IVs in stride…sometimes you might just hear a slight whimpering “Ow.”  She is fearless about all of this!  You see, we may have Diabetes, but it will NEVER have us!

We are not alone and someday there will be a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. We look forward to the day when Type 1 will be Type None.

This year, Evan made a special appearance at the Walk to Cure Diabetes.  She has a BEAUTIFUL voice and treated us all to a short show.  Click on the link below to see this passionate little girl with the BIG voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N2GsOA1sX8&feature=youtu.be