diabetic alert dogs save lives, but they are costly
I’m a seventh grader at Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth, Maine. We have this thing called 10% time, each week we are given 10% of our school week to work on a project of our own choice. I created this website to raise awareness for Type 1 Diabetes and to raise funds to buy a Diabetic Alert Dog for my friend, Lucia.
I didn't understand how scary Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is for the person and their family. Earlier this year I met Lucia playing on the same Middle School volleyball team. We quickly became friends. One day after school while we were waiting for practice Lucia had low blood sugar and didn't realize it. She didn't see the warning text from her mom because she was playing soccer on the playground. Lucia has Type 1 Diabetes and Hypoglycemia Unawareness. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to allow sugar to enter the cells to produce energy. Hypoglycemia Unawareness is a complication of diabetes when the person doesn't feel the natural warning signs of low blood sugar (palpitations, shakiness, anxiety, sweating). This could result in Lucia losing consciousness, having a seizure and even brain damage. Consistently high blood sugar is dangerous too, it can lead to blindness and even nerve damage that could result in the loss of feet.
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