Diabetic Alert Dog for Eva Maree

This is Eva in the front of the photo with her best friend Chelsea.  Eva is my only (mokopuna) grandchild and holds a very special place in my heart.   

One month after this photo was taken Eva was taken to the emergency department of the Lismore Base Hospital, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, which means she is insulin dependent. Type 1 Diabetes is not caused by poor health or a bad diet, it is an autoimmune disease which we do not have a cure for. 

This diagnosis requires Eva to have at least 6 insulin injections a day and twice that many finger pricks to test her Blood Sugar Levels. Diabetes also requires around the clock monitoring, even throughout the night, and her life can be in threat at any given time. 

The biggest struggle Eva and her family face is the fact that she cannot communicate as to when her levels are dangerously low or dangerously high because she does not understand it yet.  Our biggest fear & her parents is waking up to an unconscious daughter (our granddaughter)...

For this reason we are hoping to get her a diabetic alert dog.   Paws for Diabetics Inc. assist with the training and placement of diabetic alert dogs. However, training is expensive which is why we are hoping to raise enough money to get one of these life saving dogs for Eva and her family.

These dogs are the latest tool in Diabetes management, as they give their owners warning well in advance of an impending hypoglycaemic episode, allowing for prompt treatment to avert the episode from happening. A hypoglycaemic attack left untreated can lead to coma and even death, so these dogs are real life-savers.

Eva's life and everyone 's around her has now changed forever.  For Eva and her parents they have a long journey ahead of ever changing medications, insulin delivery systems, education, calculating food & much more as they try to stabilise her sugar levels.  

The  first time I gave Eva her insulin shot almost tore me apart. Eva lifted her shirt for me and revealed a tiny tummy covered in little red dots from all her injections.  I struggled to hold back the tears (I was not very succesful) so I could deliver her insulin correctly.  Eva held her shirt, counted to 10 with me and then said "Good job nanny, that didn't even hurt".  I am so proud of my little girl and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

There are no words that could possibly tell you all how grateful we would be for your support.  Every little bit goes a long way including sharing sharing our link. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.