Written by Marty "Scrounge" Hall - Dallas' Father

On October 23rd, 2003, my wife, Teresa, and I rushed Dallas to the emergency room with what we thought was a serious case of the flu. At the registration desk, the nurse took one look at him and rushed him straight in, ahead of the packed waiting room. Two doctors and three nurses started working on him right away. Someone yelled out, "Blood Sugar 960!" At that time we didn't know what that meant, and we had no idea what was happening. A nurse pulled Teresa and I aside and asked, "Do you want to talk to the Chaplain?" Those were the scariest eight words we had ever heard in our lives.

On February 6, 2002, Reid was 2 ½ and was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes when his blood glucose level was 285. (Normal is between 70 & 120.) We spent 3 days in the hospital learning how to measure and use a syringe. We were terrified. Reid would need 2 types of insulin twice a day. We had to do blood checks up to 10 times a day! The highs & lows were unbelievable. He had to eat at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm, & 8pm and was only allowed 10-15g carbohydrates for snack & 15-30g for meals with 7g of protein at his 8pm snack.

Curtis Belyea was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes in 1990, when he was fourteen. He remembers the insatiable thirst, frequent urination and fatigue that hit him during a weekend camping trip and caused his parents to take them to the doctor when they returned home.

Mike Smith of Gladwin, Michigan has been a Type 1 Diabetic for twenty years. He takes a shot of insulin twice a day, and pricks his finger numerous times to check his sugar.

Hi, my name is Heather Louck. I was diagnosed with Diabetes in August of 1991, when I was 9 years old. I have taken 2-3 insulin injections a day for 15 years. I check my blood sugar regularly and keep a close eye on my health. I have a completely healthy nine month old daughter, Caydence. My blood sugar stayed normal for nine months and fortunately I had no complications in my pregnancy.

Written by friend and committee member Melissa McCain

I first met my friend Andrea "Andi" Paradise in 1998, and soon learned we have a fair amount in common. We both come from humble, rural backgrounds. Neither one us are "high-maintenance" women. We love to travel, but we're content doing it on a motorcycle and staying in a tent.

Written by Shannon Colvin - Mercury's mom

In May of 2005, Mercury Colvin went to the doctor for his seven-year check up. The results of his urine analysis indicated he had high sugar. Several hours later, the nurse called and told me I had to rush him to the hospital for a blood sample. The sample came back fine: sugar normal.

Mikel Schwab and Greg Mrakich were both diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over 30 years ago. Their paths crossed in 2001, when Greg, a professional drummer originally from Pasadena, CA; auditioned for Mikel’s band, Blaq Lily. Mikel and his wife, Arminta, co-founder and lead vocalist for Blaq Lily, liked Greg’s interpretation of their music and asked him to be their drummer.

My name is Ali Marcotte, and i'm diabetic. I was diagnosed at age 2. I'm 13 years old. The day i found out my sugar was 389, and i spent 5 days in the hospital. I have a good doctor. His name is Dr. Nebescio, He is with Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis Indiana. I've done a couple of fundraisers, one for the diabetic camp i attend, and i've raised 500.00 for Dallas and Reid's Ride. I have 2 sisters and 2 dogs. I'll be in the 8th grade at Union Jr. High, and i go to WHOSOEVERWILL Full Gospel Church in Dugger Indiana. I'm a happy girl who loves to play softball[i'm a pitcher], ride bikes and hang out with my friends, and attend my church youth group. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the face of diabetes.

God Bless
Your Friend,
Ali

September 3rd 2004, my wife Michelle and I were taking our 1 year old son by ambulance to Riley Children’s Hospital.  He had been at another emergency room when we found out his blood sugar was over 900.  We were scared, but we knew that he would get the best care we could provide there.  We thought we were out of the woods once the doctors were able to give him insulin, but the doctor told me in the hallway that if his sugar level came down too fast he would be at risk for brain damage.  I found an empty room and cried.  I couldn’t tell Michelle about that conversation until days later.
Now, three years later, Aaron is on an insulin pump.  He knows he has to be checked before meals and at bedtime, and he is beginning to be able to tell us if his blood sugar is low.  We look forward to the day when he will be able to get rid of his pump and meter.