Evan's JDRF 100 Challenge
Peter Flaherty is raising money for Breakthrough T1D
Story
Evan’s 100 Challenge Fundraising for JDRF
Nearly a year ago on 26th March 2020, my little boy Evan, was rushed into hospital and it was quickly apparent that he was much, much more poorly than we knew. Evan was suffering with Diabetic Ketoacidosis – which at the time we had never heard of - and has was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
During the time Evan and I spent in Ward 17 in Leighton Hospital, the Doctors, Nurses, Staff and 24-hour Diabetic Support Team were just incredible, enabling his body to stabilise and balance. After just 36 hours in HDU, with drips, insulin, oxygen and monitoring all his vitals, including blood tests every hour, he was on the road to recovery. Over the next few days, we learned together how to check blood levels, inject insulin, count and calculate carbohydrate levels in our diet and start the process of living with this new condition.
For nearly 12-months now, he has lived with the condition and never once let it hold him back. Every day, He has 4 – 6 injections of insulin, countless blood sugar and ketone checks, and every two weeks has a new sensor attached into his arm. We count carbohydrates for every meal, and he has accepted that he doesn’t have same freedom or choices when it comes to the simple things like having a sweet, having an ice cream or a simple snack.
Over the last 12 months he has dealt with numerous hypos (low blood sugar) and we have learned that Jelly Babies save lives (they really do!). He has coped with the constant struggle to keep his blood sugar levels in the right zone – he is a growing boy, so his insulin needs constantly change.
Throughout it all he is constantly smiling, still running around at 100 mile an hour, is mischievous and funny, plays football, climbs trees and plays endless chase games with his dog, Rufus.
He also sometimes gets frustrated and, very occasionally, upset. We all wish he did not have it. However, it doesn’t last and during this lock down he has now taken up the task of doing his own insulin injections (As shown in the video above), and I couldn’t be prouder of the little warrior that he is.
However, we want to there to be a cure.
So, we will be setting off on a year of challenges based around the number 100, to raise money for JDRF (junior Diabetes Research Foundation) to help their research in finding a cure. The number 100 is hugely significant this year, as it is 100 years since the discovery of insulin, which meant that Type 1 diabetes could be managed. We want to help find a cure, so that Evan and all the other Type 1 superheroes, can live a life with more freedom.
I will be undertaking 100 miles of Obstacle course races (actually 115 miles), covid-19 permitting including a 20-mile obstacle course in May.
Our first challenge however starts this week as Evan and I will be doing a 100-hour winter camp (in the back garden as we can’t go
very far!). Starting at 12noon on Thursday and ending at 4pm on Monday we will be living and sleeping in a tent. We will only be allowed indoors for the toilet meaning that cold water douses will be the washing medium of choice for me! Warmer water for Evan.
There will be lots of other “100 challenges” that Evan will undertake throughout the year.
Nearly a year ago on 26th March 2020, my little boy Evan, was rushed into hospital and it was quickly apparent that he was much, much more poorly than we knew. Evan was suffering with Diabetic Ketoacidosis – which at the time we had never heard of - and has was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
During the time Evan and I spent in Ward 17 in Leighton Hospital, the Doctors, Nurses, Staff and 24-hour Diabetic Support Team were just incredible, enabling his body to stabilise and balance. After just 36 hours in HDU, with drips, insulin, oxygen and monitoring all his vitals, including blood tests every hour, he was on the road to recovery. Over the next few days, we learned together how to check blood levels, inject insulin, count and calculate carbohydrate levels in our diet and start the process of living with this new condition.
For nearly 12-months now, he has lived with the condition and never once let it hold him back. Every day, He has 4 – 6 injections of insulin, countless blood sugar and ketone checks, and every two weeks has a new sensor attached into his arm. We count carbohydrates for every meal, and he has accepted that he doesn’t have same freedom or choices when it comes to the simple things like having a sweet, having an ice cream or a simple snack.
Over the last 12 months he has dealt with numerous hypos (low blood sugar) and we have learned that Jelly Babies save lives (they really do!). He has coped with the constant struggle to keep his blood sugar levels in the right zone – he is a growing boy, so his insulin needs constantly change.
Throughout it all he is constantly smiling, still running around at 100 mile an hour, is mischievous and funny, plays football, climbs trees and plays endless chase games with his dog, Rufus.
He also sometimes gets frustrated and, very occasionally, upset. We all wish he did not have it. However, it doesn’t last and during this lock down he has now taken up the task of doing his own insulin injections (As shown in the video above), and I couldn’t be prouder of the little warrior that he is.
However, we want to there to be a cure.
So, we will be setting off on a year of challenges based around the number 100, to raise money for JDRF (junior Diabetes Research Foundation) to help their research in finding a cure. The number 100 is hugely significant this year, as it is 100 years since the discovery of insulin, which meant that Type 1 diabetes could be managed. We want to help find a cure, so that Evan and all the other Type 1 superheroes, can live a life with more freedom.
I will be undertaking 100 miles of Obstacle course races (actually 115 miles), covid-19 permitting including a 20-mile obstacle course in May.
Our first challenge however starts this week as Evan and I will be doing a 100-hour winter camp (in the back garden as we can’t go
very far!). Starting at 12noon on Thursday and ending at 4pm on Monday we will be living and sleeping in a tent. We will only be allowed indoors for the toilet meaning that cold water douses will be the washing medium of choice for me! Warmer water for Evan.
There will be lots of other “100 challenges” that Evan will undertake throughout the year.