Philanthropy
 

I hesitated to crash your board, but I just felt compelled to tell you that I am so impressed with Alpha Gamma Delta and its work for Diabetes. You probably get this all the time, but I still wanted to throw in my $0.02.

My daughter has Type I Diabetes which was diagnosed 2 years ago, and she is now 11. She takes 4-5 shots a day and tests her blood sugar about 5 times a day. When she was diagnosed, we weren't really sure what was wrong since she was only exhibiting symptoms for a few weeks, and the doctor told us she was about a week away from falling into a diabetic coma. She was very thin to begin with so naively we never considered diabetes to be a possibility even though she had classic symptoms. (This just goes to show you how important educating the public really is!)

We have come so far in 2 years. She is a well-adjusted, confident child with many friends who takes everything in stride. She is totally responsible for the management of her diabetes (with me looking over her shoulder every 5 minutes without her knowing ;)). She administers her own shots and makes appropriate adjustments, and she measures all of her own food. She is very much in control of her diabetes and hopefully she's learning habits that will keep her strong and healthy for many years to come.

She attended diabetes camp for kids in our state for the last 2 years, and it has made all the difference in her attitude on life. At her age, kids don't want to be different and stand out from the crowd. When she met all those other diabetic kids at camp, she realized she was not alone and just as normal as everybody else with this one exception. One of her cabinmates this year also had leukemia in addition to being diabetic so that was an eye-opener for her.

I didn't know a lot about Alpha Gamma Delta when I joined this board because there was no AGD chapter at my school, but I have gained a high level of respect for AGD and for all of you who provide such sensitive and caring posts around this board. I love my sorority's philanthropy, but luckily I am not a beneficiary of all of its good works. Since my family benefits from yours, I wanted you to know because I hope it will provide you with new found appreciation and pride for your hard work when you hear personal, real-life stories of those benefitting from it. I will certainly sing AGD's praises as well as AOII's if my daughters make the decision to pursue the sorority experience in college.

Much fraternal love,

rubyrose

Your post gave me chills! Thank you so much for writing in to us, and for your kind words about Alpha Gamma Delta. :) I am actually participating in a Walk to Cure Diabetes soon with my alumnae group, and it's stories like yours that make it all worthwhile. Thanks again for sharing your story with us - and stop by our boards anytime! :)

rubyrose,

You are welcome to crash our boards anytime. Thank you very much for your kind words. Diabetes is a big shadow in my life, too. It comforts me to know that my Fraternity is working everyday to make sure that perhaps my child-to-be may never have to check her glucose or take insulin shots.

I wish the public-at-large would take notice of all the wonderful work that NPC members do to better mankind. Until then, we all keep plugging along and take satisfaction in the fact that *we know* we're doing something good.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I joined Alpha Gam in 1999 and this year my mother was diagnosed with Diabetes. Although she is struggling to accept it, she has found a new love for my sorority. She is happy to write a small contribution to the foundation and sings the praises of AGD for trying to help people that have to deal with diabetes. She still has a hard time grasping that this is for life. Unlike some diseases that come and go and sometimes bother you and sometimes don't, diabetes is a constant reminder. She knows she cannot eat her favorite foods and she has to stick herself all the time to take her blood. The worst part is when she found out she started crying because the doctor told her it is genetic so her children may get it. She was more upset at the thought that she may have passed this on to us than what it mean to her own health.
Your daughter will have a wonderful life and perhaps one day we can find a cure for this condition so that she doesn't have to worry about feeling different.
Sarah

Thanks for your kind words, rubyrose. When I joined AGD my mom told me that two of my cousins were diabetic. My mom had also been making donations to JDF for years prior to me being in AGD. It made me happy to know I was helping to find a cure. Also, the annual Walk for Diabeties for Juvinile Diabetes Research Foundation is coming up in early Nov. I am planning on either raising money and walking or volenteering to work at the event. Thanks again, Lisa

Rubyrose,
Thank you so much for the compliment about Alpha Gam. In all honesty, our philanthropy was one of the reasons I liked and looked into AGD as a freshman (even though I didnt join until I was a senior). I too, have diabetes in my family. My grandmother, two uncles and an aunt have it. So it runs in it. I also work with many children who have it and I agree that it is hard but very couragious and commendable to see a 9 and 11 year old girl give themselves their insulin shots and check their on BG levels. I thought to myself there was no way I could do that when I was their age. I didn't even think I could help them with it. I was too scared I'd give too much or too little.
Side plug...
What people have to realize dealing with youth's that diabetes is that even though it is a disease, these kids are no differen than any other kid. At my job we get to take the kids on off hill trips and many times a lot of staff do not like to take the kids that have diabetes. they don't want to take the time to pick up their kits and don't want to worry about their levels being too high or too low and maybe having to help them with the insulin. What they fail to realize is that by doing this, they are punishing those children for something they can't control. Something they never asked for. The nine year old has cried many times over this. People need to know that a good majority of kids with diabetes know how to do everything themselves, and while they may not be able to have certain things that other kids can have, they still are kids and need to be treated and accommodated that way. a(*ok my lil rant is done :D )
Again, thank you Rubyrose and red and buff roses to you and your family and all families dealing with diabetes.

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Ruby, thank you so much for your touching words. Stories like yours make our dedication and contributions so worthwhile. Best of luck to you and your daughter in the future! :)

Thank you so much for your post! It brought tears to my eyes!!

I will keep your daughter in my prayers, good luck to her and your family!!

Y'all are great! I truly admire your commitment to and support of your philanthropy! My daughter is doing wonderfully and is truly an inspiration to our family and her friends. On the upside we certainly have been eating a healthier diet at home since all this has happened. The best news is that a cure for type 1 is being heavily pursued with positive results already! JDRF has been instrumental in pushing this forward. I really think it is going to happen!

Thanks for all of your kind and supportive messages,

rubyrose