*****Tomorrow (Friday) is our last day to collect donations before the walk.*****
Here are the boys' stories so you know a couple of kids this money will help:
On December 26th, 2011, Ben was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes,
Fortunately, Jacob, a classmate of Ben's has been a rock and support for
Ben as he too has Type 1 Diabetes and was diagnosed four years ago.
Ben and Jacob both are supported by their best friends, Ethan and Kyle
Milteer who have taken a strong interest in learning about this health
condition and together, the boys are raising funds to help find a cure.
In
support of Ben & Jacob and all the other kids with Type 1 Diabetes,
we, their family and friends are taking the steps to help achieve
JDRF's mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications
through the support of research. The money our JDRF Walk Team raises
will go directly to support this life-changing research.
The JDRF
Walk is a fantastic way to make a difference in the millions of lives of
people affected by type 1 diabetes. We are asking for your support.
Now more than ever, EACH of us can make a real difference in the lives
of people with type 1 diabetes.
Please
read Ben and Jacob's personal stories below to learn more about these
awesome kids and the strength and courage they have displayed in
managing the daily health challenge.
Jacob's Story
Jacob
Vang has always been a compassionate, caring and helpful boy. He is a
big social bug and is super friendly with everyone he meets. Jacob, who
is 9 years old and in the 3rd grade was 1st diagnosed with Type 1
Diabetes at age 5. It was the week before the start of kindergarten and
he was really looking forward to starting school. Instead, he was
admitted to Children's Hospital where he stayed for 1 week. Returning to
school, his days consist of frequent visits to the nurse?s office for
his routine glucose checking. Suddenly, our son's care free childhood
was taken away and in its place was a childhood that would be burdened
with responsibilities and challenges regarding his health.
Now
almost 4 years later Jacob speaks proudly of his diabetes and never
hesitates to educate anyone at school that is curious about this
auto-immune condition. Since that life changing event we, as a family,
have changed the way we live and view life for the better. We are
extremely proud of Jacob for his continued courage and strength in
tackling the daily responsibilities and for always brightening
stranger's faces with his positive attitude about living with Type 1
diabetes.
Ben's Story
Benjamin
Osborne is 9-years-old and in 3rd grade. He has always been a smart,
sensitive and thoughtful boy. I've called him an old soul, but he can
also be pretty silly and loves to make people laugh. He was diagnosed
with diabetes the day after Christmas. We didn't know how he would take
this life-changing news and braced ourselves for the worst. When he
was younger, Benjamin was often anxious and hypersensitive and we were
afraid the diagnosis would undo all the progress he?s made in the last 4
years. In the emergency room, he quickly went from being afraid to
incredibly angry, but he surprised us by accepting his new life within a
day of being admitted to Children?s Hospital.
The two days in
the hospital were frustrating and overwhelming for him, but we are so
impressed with how courageous and proficient Benjamin has become in the
short amount of time since then. The boy who was terrified of getting a
flu shot a couple months ago now takes his insulin injections without
complaint. He has even started checking his glucose all by himself and
is suddenly very mature and responsible, always checking nutrition
labels and remembering to take his ?go bag? of diabetes management
supplies whenever we leave the house. Benjamin has had to do a lot of
growing up in a very short amount of time, and we couldn't be more
proud. He has a long road ahead of him, but he has been blessed with
friends and family who will support him every step of the way. We
appreciate everyone who has helped our family in so many ways, and are
grateful for all those who contribute to the work to find a cure for
diabetes.
Kyle Jacob Ben Ethan
Thank you for taking the time to visit our page and we
thank you for supporting the research through your donations and time if
you can join us for the walk.
Ben & Jacob's Buddies
