gf&t1d

Today, within an hour and a half, I was witness to four occurrences of the Denver PD and Denver Fire in action.  It served as a reminder of how grateful I am that they are there when needed.  I know that seeing four instances between leaving work and arriving home is only a small portion of all that they were truly doing at that exact moment.  That Denver is a big city and my commute is pretty small. 

From door to door (for the most part at least) - 

1. Denver Fire was arriving at the building next to mine as I was walking out of work (law enforcement was already on sight)
2. I was stopped at a red light near a fire station and a truck pulled out going in the direction I had just come from
3. We pulled over after a bike v. car accident and stayed on scene offering our help (not much) until Fire and PD arrived (within minutes!)
4. Walking the dog after arriving home and saw PD responding to a situation in the neighborhood

This has been a super crazy week - seems like everything has been at extreme ends.  Work, home, everything has just been out of sorts, like there is some moon thing or Mercury retrograde (I clearly have no idea what I am talking about here other than some stronger forces out there). So it didn't seem odd at all to come across these four instances in a short period of time.  

But as a parent to a T1D youth - 911, EMTs, and other first responders are often on my mind.  Luckily we have not had to make that call, but that day could be any day.  I want to say we always have the glucagon with us or sugar to treat lows, but in reality we don't.  There could be a situation I'm not around, will others know she's T1 and what to do?  Will the EMTs see her medic alert bracelet in time to treat accordingly?  The thoughts sit at the back of the mind, almost waiting to become a reality, but the heart hoping it never does.

Our community isn't only those that support the diagnosis - its also those that respond to our emergencies.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you to the fire men and women, the police men and women, and the EMTs that do what they do day in and day out.

I cannot wait to go back pack around Europe together - it has been something we have talked about a lot and I'm sure we will find a way to make it happen.  But traveling isn't as easy when you have T1D, and add Celiac to that mix and you can easily find yourself sick in a foreign country.  

It is my pleasure to participate with a local organization, The Children's Diabetes Foundation (CDF).  I joined as a guild member about a year ago, and while I wish I had more time to be involved the volunteer experiences I have had thus far have been very enlightening.  There can never be enough said about the Type 1 community and the support that they provide to each other.  CDF provides so much support and fundraising to the Barbara Davis Center, we feel we have personally benefited from the contributions.

Last year I ran, err walked, in the First 5K Run for the Ring race.  My daughter was away in Minnesota and I decided at the last minute to go.  I really do wish I was a runner, but alas, not yet.  This year my daughter did not go to Minnesota and I got to bring her with me.  We got there early to help with set up and registration.  While I registered people coming in, she handed out the awesome t-shirts.  It was nice to see familiar faces and the community that came out to support not only the event but the organizations and families impacted by Type 1.