Kaleigh's Krew Walk to Cure Diabetes 2013

Hi, my name is Kaleigh. I'm 10 years old. I'm your typical kid, trying to live a typical life. However, on November 23rd 2008 I did not have such a typical day I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and my life was changed forever. I was so sick, that the doctor told my mom, I might not make it through the night. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that affects children and adults. It's a disease we can never outgrow, and never forget about. Some people still have prehistoric ideas about type 1 diabetes. Scary, right? It doesn't come from eating too much sugar. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas stops producing insulin. Many people don't understand that I can eat anything I want, as long as I take insulin. I wear my insulin pump, which serves as my life support. My insulin pump delivers insulin all the time. Having an insulin pump means that I don't have to get insulin injections... ...5-7 times a day. Instead, my insulin pump site gets changed every 2-3 days. I also wear a continuous glucose monitor - or CGM. The CGM checks my blood sugar every 5 minutes. I also check my blood sugar using my fingers 12 times a day. Between checking my blood sugar, insulin injections, pump sites... ...and CGM sites, I have been poked approximately 19,500 times... ...in the past 4 years. No wonder, I feel like a pin cushion. Before I can even think about eating, I have to check my blood sugar. Everything I eat or drink has to be weighed or measured... ...and the carbohydrates have to be counted. It's a constant balancing act. Some times you win, and your vigilance has paid off. Other times you don't, despite all the hard work. There are no guarantees. No matter how tough it gets, I need to remember... ...it's just a number and to think positive. Type 1 diabetes never sleeps. Even as I sleep, my mom checks my blood sugar. When I go on vacation with my family, we can't forget about my diabetes. We must stop to check my blood sugar and have a snack more often. Type 1 diabetes never takes a vacation. I've even had airport security think my insulin pump was a camera... ...and then I had to go through a pat down. That sucked! I love to go to diabetes camp. It's the one place I can go where everyone else is just like me. It's my home away from home for one week. I've made some great friends, who also have type 1 diabetes. On world diabetes day which is November 14, my family and I... ...participate in the World Diabetes Day Postcard Exchange by creating... ...and sending postcards all around the world. Type 1 diabetes doesn't stop when I play sports. Sometimes I have to sit on the sidelines and watch my teammates... ...because my blood sugar is too low. Diabetes might slow me down, but diabetes doesn't stop me. I can be anything. I can do anything. As long as I remember, that diabetes doesn't control me and won't stop me. This past year I joined the Girl Scouts swim team. I dream of becoming the first female swimmer with diabetes... ...to compete in the Olympics. Every day is a battle with a disease you can treat... ...but never completely control. Many people think insulin is a cure, but it's only a treatment. Every birthday, I make the same wish. I wish for a cure. Every Christmas, I ask Santa for the same thing. I ask for a cure. A cure would mean... ...no more sleepless nights, no more needles, no more pokes... ...no more funny looks, no more feeling sick. I would be able to stay overnight at friends' houses. I would be able to play sports without having to stop. The road ahead for people living with type 1 diabetes is long and uncertain, ...but you can help. My family, friends, and I are walking in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, to support the mission to improve the lives of every person living with this disease. To donate or join my team, Kaleigh's Krew, go to the link on the screen. JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research. They will not rest until type 1 diabetes is fully conquered. Please join me in the global movement to cure, better treat... ...and prevent type 1 diabetes. Thank you for watching.