Ava

2021 EMBRACING BRAVE North Texas Spring Recipient

What is the definition of normal? Normal to me is a perspective in which you define your life. To be honest my normal was not typical, I lived my first 14 months of life in a household run by a 14 year old who tried her best with the little, to no support she had from her parents. After being accepted into the best family, full of love and compassion, I have lived the rest of my 12 years with nothing but love and laughs shared between the people that I call my family. Everything was “normal” until my normal changed. I started to get really hungry even after my mom’s hot meals. I was unable to control my bladder the way other kids my age could. When watching a movie, in a theater, I would get up and go to the restroom at least three times. I knew that if I did not listen to my body, I wouldn’t make it until the movie had ended. I went to a checkup that would ultimately change my life. My mom and I talked about how what was going on was not normal- whatever that means. The doctor examined me and, ironically, I had to use the restroom. So the doctor tested my urine and found an abnormal amount of sugar in it, so the next step was to check my blood sugar. We discovered my blood glucose was too high. The next day we went to two different blood labs to get my blood taken to find out what was wrong. Little did I know that less two days later, I would be admitted into Cook Children’s hospital with my new normal. I was 12 years old, in a hospital, when a doctor came in to tell me my life would be changed forever because one organ decided it no longer wanted to do what I needed. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

I no long will be able to eat without worrying about the repercussions. It has been 6 ½ years since my normal was taken away from me and nothing has been easy. I constantly have to worry about dropping low and dying in my sleep or getting too high and going into a coma. The things taken from me, I can not get back. All I can do is live my life to the fullest and not let my disease stop me from being the best I can be. My new normal will have to do, until I come across a new beginning. With the love and support from my friends, family, and Just for J I have been blessed in more ways than I could have asked for as a 17 year old with a lifelong disease.

I would like to use the donation to go to a 3 week long Diabetic camp for kids to help support living with Diabetes. We learn from each other and it makes me feel like I am not alone. I would also like to be able to purchase a trunk for traveling and a few things to take to camp with me.

Another thing I worry about, is how much my medical supplies cost my family. I have a Dexcom that helps to monitor my blood sugar. This is very costly for my sensors and transmitters. My Dexcom falls off whenever I swim or sweat too much. So I would also like to have a sport strap to hold my Dexcom. - Ava 2021