This has been an extremely busy week in the T1D community. I think everyone knows who this dear little sweetheart is that I have pictured above. Kycie Terry, age 5. She was diagnosed early this year with T1D and had a very traumatic brain injury as a result of the T1D. I remember the night I first saw her story. I started reading, and then I started bawling crocodile tears for this beautiful child who they thought wouldn't make it through the night. I remember thinking how much I wished that she would make it.
For months, I laughed and cried with this family as Kycie learned once again how to do things like sit up, smile, make sounds, follow people with her eyes and head, and so much more. I anxiously watched for updates when Kycie was well enough to go home with her family, and I understood the issues they had as they learned to live the T1D life. They had so much more to deal with, both T1D and the brain injury combined. But they relied on their faith, and they continued to live and do as a family!
Last Saturday morning, Kycie passed away after a very bad case of pneumonia and pneumothorax. It isn't said if that's what caused it, but she was in the hospital for it that week before she passed. I cried again for this dear child. I cried for her family. They have been through so much in such a short time.
Some have asked me, why do I cry and get so interested in something going on in a person's life, especially when I don't know them personally. I want to answer that question. One unique thing about being a T1D, once you've been diagnosed you become part of this huge supportive family. People who don't know you will come up to you in public and ask you if that's an insulin pump they saw and right there you share survivor stories. People will see you whip out an insulin pen and come up and tell you that they use the same kind and then share how well it is working for them. I'm part of a couple of Facebook groups for members of this great T1D family, and when one of us hurts, we ALL hurt. If one of us needs insulin or supplies, we rally together to provide for the need. It is truly a family! Do we know each other in person? Nope. Do you have to know someone in person to have compassion for their situation? Nope.
So many of us in this great T1D family have been where Kycie was. I've been in DKA 3 times. Almost died all 3 times. I didn't have a brain injury like she did, and that complicated it all so much for the Terry family. But I have been where they've been with T1D, just like so many others have. It is all too real, because we live it everyday.
My point in all this is that I want to say Thank You to this dear sweetheart Kycie, and the Terry family, for helping spread awareness by sharing and being extremely open about their story. I have had so many friends come to me and ask what they can do and what to look for. They aren't fooled by the stereotypes anymore. They know more! Kycie helped save 19 lives that I know of, maybe more, just through the sharing of information about T1D and their story. 19 kids who will live because they were diagnosed when they were. So many miracles and a beautiful legacy.
Thank you sweetheart. I know it isn't enough, but thank you. You've changed my life and how I share my T1D with others. Rest peacefully and watch over your family. They love you, and so do all of us!
For months, I laughed and cried with this family as Kycie learned once again how to do things like sit up, smile, make sounds, follow people with her eyes and head, and so much more. I anxiously watched for updates when Kycie was well enough to go home with her family, and I understood the issues they had as they learned to live the T1D life. They had so much more to deal with, both T1D and the brain injury combined. But they relied on their faith, and they continued to live and do as a family!
Last Saturday morning, Kycie passed away after a very bad case of pneumonia and pneumothorax. It isn't said if that's what caused it, but she was in the hospital for it that week before she passed. I cried again for this dear child. I cried for her family. They have been through so much in such a short time.
Some have asked me, why do I cry and get so interested in something going on in a person's life, especially when I don't know them personally. I want to answer that question. One unique thing about being a T1D, once you've been diagnosed you become part of this huge supportive family. People who don't know you will come up to you in public and ask you if that's an insulin pump they saw and right there you share survivor stories. People will see you whip out an insulin pen and come up and tell you that they use the same kind and then share how well it is working for them. I'm part of a couple of Facebook groups for members of this great T1D family, and when one of us hurts, we ALL hurt. If one of us needs insulin or supplies, we rally together to provide for the need. It is truly a family! Do we know each other in person? Nope. Do you have to know someone in person to have compassion for their situation? Nope.
So many of us in this great T1D family have been where Kycie was. I've been in DKA 3 times. Almost died all 3 times. I didn't have a brain injury like she did, and that complicated it all so much for the Terry family. But I have been where they've been with T1D, just like so many others have. It is all too real, because we live it everyday.
My point in all this is that I want to say Thank You to this dear sweetheart Kycie, and the Terry family, for helping spread awareness by sharing and being extremely open about their story. I have had so many friends come to me and ask what they can do and what to look for. They aren't fooled by the stereotypes anymore. They know more! Kycie helped save 19 lives that I know of, maybe more, just through the sharing of information about T1D and their story. 19 kids who will live because they were diagnosed when they were. So many miracles and a beautiful legacy.
Thank you sweetheart. I know it isn't enough, but thank you. You've changed my life and how I share my T1D with others. Rest peacefully and watch over your family. They love you, and so do all of us!
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