Maddie

From her mom, Jennifer:

Maddie was diagnosed six days before her third birthday, which also happens to be my wedding anniversary. She was admitted to the PICU and then transferred to a room on a floor. We had two days of training and was sent home on a Friday night. Saturday morning was her third birthday party! She had a Dexcom within three months and she got a pump when she was in kindergarten. I am a kindergarten teacher and was lucky enough to get Maddie transferred to my school, so I could help with her daily care. We do not have a nurse on staff. This is Maddie’s first year away from me at Middle School. She is now independent in her diabetes management. She is a sassy, red-headed, beautiful young girl who is currently about to become a teenager. She is a competitive dancer and is also on her middle school dance team. I, as her mother, have worked hard to teach her how to understand and manage her own diabetes. I would love to be able to give her this award to recognize her 10 years of living with this unpredictable disease. I am so very proud of her for all her hard work. She is a great dancer and also has a 4.0 in her academics! She is a Type 1 Diabetes warrior!