Are you joining us for tomorrow’s Light The Town Blue walk? Let’s all march together to celebrate our loved ones with type 1 diabetes! We’ll be meeting at the Citibank Plaze on the corner of State Street in downtown Los Altos. We’ll provide the blue balloons and blue glow sticks, you provide the energy and camaraderie. Don’t forget to wear your Carb DM World Diabetes Day T-shirt, or anything blue!
Earlier this week we featured Carb DM community member Susan Edwards, who helped organize our very first Light The Town Blue walk last year. Today we are featuring her son Chase. We are honored to have Susan, Chase, and the rest of the Edwards family join Carb DM in this month’s Dia-Buddies campaign. Dia-Buddies is this year’s giving season fundraising effort, spearheaded by four Dia-Buddies who have benefited from Carb DM’s programs and want to inspire others to help Carb DM help other families. Our Dia-Buddies invite you to kick off the holiday giving season and support Carb DM by making a donation on or before Giving Tuesday, December 1.
Chase’s Story
What are your hobbies and interests?
I like math and science. I love LEGOs and Minecraft. My favorite sport is swimming!
Which Carb DM programs have you attended?
I went to the Oakland As game and met the player with diabetes [outfielder Sam Fuld]. He was super nice and cool. He never let his diabetes get in the way of playing sports. I also saw the NFL football player [Steelers offensive lineman Kendall Simmons] speak. He was also really nice and funny. He had a Superbowl ring and I got to try it on!
Can you name a way that Carb DM has helped you manage your diabetes?
When I was diagnosed with diabetes, the only person I knew with diabetes was my dad. Then I met Adam who was also 6 and diagnosed a few months before me. Our moms met at a Carb DM event. I really like Adam and we have fun together – he loves to swim just like me!
When I had to go on my CGM and later my pump I was really really scared. Then Adam came over and he showed me how he does his CGM and then later how he does his pump set insertion. He didn’t even flinch and watching him, I knew I could do it too! We even changed our pump sites together when I had to for the first time and it was really helpful to have a friend there doing it with me. Now, almost a year later, we are both pros!!
About 6 months ago, a new little girl was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in our school district. My mom and I went to her house and showed her for the first time how to put her CGM on. I was so happy to be able to help someone like Adam helped me. Now she’s a pro at her CGM too.
Can you name 1 thing you have been able to do because of Carb DM?
Because of my friend Adam, I don’t use ice for shots and I’m not scared to get my set changes or CGM changes. Also, I’m happy to meet athletes that have played sports all of their lives even with diabetes — that makes me feel like I can too!
