Everyday Hero:
Everyday Heroes is a monthly series recognizing individuals, families or businesses that go above and beyond to serve our local T1D community. 

Meet the Mackesy Family: Len, Jane, Jeanette and Greg. They are an example of a strong family that took on type 1 diabetes (T1D) together. They supported Jeanette when she was diagnosed at just 7 years old and continue to do so today. From volunteering with Breakthrough T1D and supporting other families like theirs, to cheering Jeanette on when she rides for a cure in Saratoga Springs, NY next week. Jeanette continues to be a role model to those living with T1D, sharing her fitness and health journey online. A positive outlook on life, regardless of what was handed to them is what kept them moving forward. Over the years they have raised more than $150,000 for Breakthrough T1D and this year will be their 27th year participating in the Breakthrough T1D One Walk at Liberty State Park.

As our One Walk approaches in October, take some time to read their story below to see the impact they have made on the T1D community. We thank them for their dedication and unwavering support over the years.

JDRF: Tell me about your type 1 diabetes (T1D) story.

Jane: Jeanette had been very thirsty and on Tuesday morning December 5^th she had been up several times going to the bathroom. I was teaching at her school that morning and when I was checking out in the office at lunch, she was sitting there with the principal about to call me at home. I knew that the symptoms were for diabetes because I am a Health Teacher, but it could have been a bladder infection or something else. The pediatrician did a urine test and repeated it to be sure. He sent us to an endocrinologist. They handled mostly adults but the Nurse Practitioner suggested what was then JDF, as a resource.

At home blood testing was relatively new at the time and the machine was larger than a current large cell phone. Adjusting to a strict eating schedule to match the spikes in the insulin was sometimes overwhelming. But Jeanette took it quite well….well most of the time.

Jeanette: I remember just not feeling well at school that morning in 2^nd grade (a feeling I now know as a high blood sugar feeling). I felt so awful that I couldn’t even sit down to eat at lunch. As soon as we got to lunch, I went up to the teacher and told her I didn’t feel well, so she sent me to the office in hopes that my mom had not left for lunch yet. When my mom came in to sign out for lunch, I was sitting there on the bench in tears. My parents called my pediatrician once we got home and they asked me to come in with a urine sample. I had to give another sample at the office. It was at that point that they were pretty sure of the diagnosis. They sent me to the hospital where we spent a week learning about our new life.

 

JDRF: What has your journey with T1D looked like over the years?

Jane: We have seen the development of the Insulin pump from something that was a dream to reality. The changes in the size of the devices have also evolved. Although Jeanette is an adult we can still check her blood sugar levels on our phones (I just checked it and she’s 79 and dropping, I hope she treated).

Jeanette: My journey has been one filled with hope. Much of the technology at the time was new. Testing on a meter that required a large sample of blood and required me to close the door over the test strip while it took 60 seconds for a result was normal. The technology I rely on today was unimaginable back then! Aside from the technology, diabetes has never stopped me from doing anything. Although it required me to grow up quicker than others my age, it has made me the person I am today. I grew up playing sports, participating in clubs and activities, going on school trips and staying over at friends’ houses just like everyone else. When I was in high school (pre-pump and pre-cgm), my meter took 30 seconds to read my blood sugar. In that 30 seconds, my friends would ask me questions about how I felt, what I ate, etc. and they would all take a guess as to what they thought my blood sugar would be. The person that was closest won! It was something we all had fun with.

 

JDRF: How did you get involved with Breakthrough T1D?

Jane: We participated in our first Walk in the fall of 1990 at the Livingston Mall. We’ve been involved ever since. Starting on the Walk Committee, then Len became a Board Member and even served on an International Breakthrough T1D Committee. We have attended several International Conferences (Met Mary Tyler Moore several times) and connected with families across the country.

As the local chapters, changed, merged and were reorganized and JDF became Breakthrough T1D, we continued on. We feel that the research that Breakthrough T1D is sponsoring is where the cure will be developed. Before the cure, the research is improving the quality of life for Jeanette and all of those with T1D.

Our involvement in the Walk to Cure Diabetes is our favorite way to contribute. When Liberty State Park became a walk site we were on the committee. Since we were originally from Jersey City, and Len had many connections, it was something we could easily do.

Arranging for a stage, the Bagpipers, the Gong Club at the rest stop continues to this day. All of these groups expect a request and look forward to the event each year. Greg became Len’s assistant on Walk Day and even took over when Len was away on business one year. I have been a Family Team coordinator for years. Checking in with families, and letting them know that we are nearly 29 years into this, and that they can get there as well, makes me feel good.

This is our second year being involved with the Ride to Cure Diabetes. Supporting Jeanette as she trains and worrying about her blood sugars as she trains and on the day of the Ride is part of being a T1D Mom.

We have seen other events develop over the years, like the Gala. Len has been the MC at several events.

Jeanette: I am not sure who directed us to JDF (at the time), but it was probably Dr. Rappaport’s office. We participated in the Walk at Livingston Mall less than a year after my diagnosis and we have participated ever since. Jeanette’s Team was formed a few years later and we have never looked back. My parents have taken leadership roles in our walk since the inception at Liberty State Park. My dad has been a member and President of our chapter’s board multiple times. This month, I will participate in my 2^nd Ride to Cure in Saratoga Springs. We have attended the gala and so much more!

 

JDRF: Why is it important to your family to be involved with Breakthrough T1D?

Jeanette: Breakthrough T1D provides hope. The research conducted by Breakthrough T1D researchers is inspiring. They are looking at so many aspects of life with T1D. Not just the cure, but the “how do we make life better in the mean time” also. Listening to Aaron Kowalski share updates of all aspects of Breakthrough T1D always gives me hope! We have met so many people through Breakthrough T1D and these relationships are friendships outside of T1D.

 

JDRF: What has been your most inspirational or proudest moment involving t1d?

Jane: On walk day at Liberty State Park, watching the walkers follow The Bagpipers and then having them separate, and have the walkers continue through them always make me cry. Seeing so many people come out to help find a cure is amazing. Watching Jeanette and all of the riders finish the ride, completing whatever distance that they completed is also emotional.

Jeanette: This is a tough question. For me, I think it’s just been living my best life. I’m a high school math teacher, a Youth Minister in a Catholic Church, and an online health and fitness coach. All of these make me who I am as a person. Diabetes is a part of who I am. It’s part of my life and it just comes with me where ever I go. It has challenged me emotionally and physically (positively and negatively) at times. But it has also strengthened me. Last year, I registered for the Ride in Saratoga and I didn’t even own a bike when I registered. It was a challenge I was ready to take on!

 

JDRF: Give us an important tip that you would share with another parent of a child with t1d.

Jane: Learn as much as you can, but remember that we are all human. If the blood sugar readings are not exactly where you want them to be, don’t beat yourself up.

 

JDRF: Give us an important tip that you would share with someone living with t1d.  

Jeanette: Live life. Know that everyone is different and what works for one person may or may not work for you. Take suggestions with a grain of salt. Be open to making mistakes but also learning from those mistakes. Don’t be hard on yourself. What works one day will not work the next, so don’t take it personally and don’t be hard on yourself.

 

JDRF: Give us an important tip that you would share with a sibling of someone with t1d.

Greg: Most important is to be supportive. Not everyone takes care of themselves the way Jeanette does so moral support is huge. Don’t rub it in their face that they can’t eat certain things.

Educate yourselves so you understand what your sibling(s) have to endure everyday.  Then maybe prick your finger and test your blood and see how it feels. PS: It hurts.

Last but not least: HALLOWEEEN CANDY: If your sibling can’t eat all that candy, be a supportive siblings and trade baseball cards, pogs, jacks or Pokémon’s for some it.

 

For additional information on our Everyday Hero this month or to nominate someone for the Everyday Hero series, contact sdutton@BreakthroughT1D.org.