Justin Beck Diabetic Service DogFnd
Donation protected
I'm writing this story on behalf of my son Justin, he is 24 years old. He has had type 1 diabetes since he was four years old. For those of you that don't know, type 1 diabetes is when your immune system attacks your pancreas and kills it. Justin is completely dependent on insulin via shots or an insulin pump which he has now, that is attached to him by a catheter 24/7. He uses the insulin pump to manally dial in the amount of insulin that is needed. He must test his blood sugar 4-6 times a day and take insulin to help keep his blood sugar within the normal range of 80-120. Type 1 diabetes can affect major organs in your body including heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Keeping your blood sugar level close to normal most of the time can dramatically reduce the risk of many complications.
The complications of type 1 diabetes that can occur if your blood sugar level drops below 65 or lower include confusion, unconiousness, seizures and even death. Justin will test his blood sugar right before he goes to bed and I check him around 2 am. There are nights when his sugar level is as low as 28, I immediately have to give him juice to raise his number. When your blood sugar level is that low you normally don't wake up and you could die because your body goes into a diabetic coma. Your body pulls sugar from all your organs to help substain life and if not taken care of the organs will shut down and you will die. If his sugar level is high,120 or higher, for long periods of time then kidney failure, blindness and other complications will happen.
Justin has had diabetes for 20 years, he is getting to the age he would like to be independent and live on his own . The dangers of low blood sugar are preventing him from living an independent lifestyle and being a free adult.
Justin found an organization that trains diabetic service dogs. These dogs are trained to sense a high blood sugar or a low blood sugar level and will alert Justin of the low/high BS and if he is unresponsive, the dogs are trained to go find help. The dog will give Justin the peace of mind when he goes to sleep, he won't die, which is the fear he lives with everyday. He's 24 years old and has a lifetime to manage his health and well being able to have a service dog assist him is precious.
The money raised will help with the purchasing of the service dog. Justin is currently saving money for travel expenses once a dog has been choosen for him. This money raised will cover the cost required by the company to purchase a dog from the shelter, train the dog for 2-3 months specific to Justin's sense, as well as feed and house the dog during that time.
We greatly appreciate any donations or prayers!
The complications of type 1 diabetes that can occur if your blood sugar level drops below 65 or lower include confusion, unconiousness, seizures and even death. Justin will test his blood sugar right before he goes to bed and I check him around 2 am. There are nights when his sugar level is as low as 28, I immediately have to give him juice to raise his number. When your blood sugar level is that low you normally don't wake up and you could die because your body goes into a diabetic coma. Your body pulls sugar from all your organs to help substain life and if not taken care of the organs will shut down and you will die. If his sugar level is high,120 or higher, for long periods of time then kidney failure, blindness and other complications will happen.
Justin has had diabetes for 20 years, he is getting to the age he would like to be independent and live on his own . The dangers of low blood sugar are preventing him from living an independent lifestyle and being a free adult.
Justin found an organization that trains diabetic service dogs. These dogs are trained to sense a high blood sugar or a low blood sugar level and will alert Justin of the low/high BS and if he is unresponsive, the dogs are trained to go find help. The dog will give Justin the peace of mind when he goes to sleep, he won't die, which is the fear he lives with everyday. He's 24 years old and has a lifetime to manage his health and well being able to have a service dog assist him is precious.
The money raised will help with the purchasing of the service dog. Justin is currently saving money for travel expenses once a dog has been choosen for him. This money raised will cover the cost required by the company to purchase a dog from the shelter, train the dog for 2-3 months specific to Justin's sense, as well as feed and house the dog during that time.
We greatly appreciate any donations or prayers!
Organizer and beneficiary
Debbie Boyd Fortna
Organizer
Canonsburg, PA
Justin Beck
Beneficiary