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Hi Everyone!

 

As most of you know, my daughter, Hailey, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in February 2009, at 7 years of age (almost 8).  The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) describes diabetes as:

"a chronic life threatening disease which has a lifelong impact on those with it and their families.  People with type 1 diabetes rely on multiple finger prick blood tests and insulin injections every day just to stay alive - until we find the cure.

Insulin however cannot safeguard against the devastating complications type 1 diabetes brings with it including blindness, nerve damage, heart disease and shortened lifespan.

JDRF has offices throughout the world all raising funds for a common cause. As a result JDRF really can fund the very best research happening in the world today."

 

 Hailey started with a minimum of 4 finger prick tests per day, and 2 insulin injections, but this has increased to 4 injections as she has gotten older. She has been most brave and has not let her diabetes hold her back in any way.  She is the most caring and affectionate little girl a mother could ask for and once said that she wouldn't change having diabetes as she is ok with it and would help other kids who got it.  Not long ago another little girl in her class was diagnosed with diabetes, and I spoke to her mother who told me that Hailey had been so great showing all the kids her routine and letting them know what diabetes is all about, that when her daughter was in hospital it didn't seem so foreign for her and she knew that Hailey was fine and she would be fine too. 

 

Hailey continues to excel at whatever she puts her mind to.  After playing piano for just 1 year, she was honored with a High Achiever Award from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and just recently her team won the first round of the Credit Union's School Quiz for our area - the 2nd year in a row that she was part of the winning team.  She has not allowed this disease to stop her from achieving her goals and I hope that this continues for many years to come. 

 

In 2008 I did a very unconventional fundraiser to raise money for the Diabetes Federation of Ireland.  On 24 October 2009, the 2nd Annual 'Kiss My Ass' Travelling Fundraiser was held.  I created a kissing booth and travelled the village (and neighboring few) with some great friends and asked people to give a donation to 'kiss my ass' - there was a blow-up donkey in the kissing booth...See photos for full effect!  We received such great support and encouragement that I would like to make this a proper annual event, in aid of the JDRF (the Diabetes Federation of Ireland was our first year recipient). 

 

We had to take a break in 2010 due to the birth of my 3rd daughter, but I hope to make it up in 2011 by having the best fundraiser ever.  I plan to eventually go to the local and national media for support and exposure of this worthwhile cause, and hopefully put some smiles on faces that are tired of all the doom and gloom!

 

I believe the JDRF is a fantastic organization and so worthy of fundraising as they are trying to find a cure for diabetes.  Whereas we are used to Hailey's diabetes and all cope just fine, I would never wish any family to have to go through the process we went through and if a cure were found it would make life so much easier for so many children and adults alike. 

 

I know this has been a tough few years for everyone all over the world, but even the smallest donations all add up. 

 

Thanks in advance for any contribution you're able to make, and watch this space for the more photos!

 

Rebecca Flanagan