Talon was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes (among other medical issues) when he was just three years old. He had been getting sick/having some symptoms for a few weeks prior to his diagnosis but due to starting new medications and being so little, we chalked it up to that. 

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I will never forget the day of his diagnosis. We headed to the doctor in Madison but had to stop three times on the way there for Talon to go potty. When we got there, he was so hungry. His doctor brought him a granola bar and immediately tested his blood sugar. I knew right away by the look on her face something was wrong. "You need to go straight over to Children's Hospital. Talon has diabetes." 

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Children's was a short 10 min drive from the doctor, yet by the time we arrived, Talon was in full on DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). It took a team of 10 doctors to get an IV in him. His blood sugar was over 1100. A normal blood sugar is 70-120. We spent a week in the PICU there. He was on a continuous insulin drip that was monitored very closely to be sure not to bring his blood sugar down to fast which can cause swelling on the brain. We learned everything we needed to know that week on how to take care of Talon when we brought him home. We are so lucky he is still here with us.

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Type One Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. There is no cure, and you are required to take insulin to live. Every single time Talon eats or drinks anything, he needs to take insulin.  Talon began taking 10-15 shots a day when he diagnosed. He got his first insulin pump and CGM at age 5. Now, thanks to all the advancements from Breakthrough T1D research and the SDP funding, he has a closed loop system. His CGM and insulin pump talk to each other. It will automatically dose him more insulin if he is too high and stops his insulin when he is going too low. While all these advancements are great, he still has to enter carbs every time he eats, he still needs to treat lows and his blood sugar still does not stay in range (although it is a significantly better than not having a pump at all). 

 

Talon cannot feel his high or low blood sugars. On any given day, he ranges between 40 and 300. That constant fluctuation makes his body feel terrible and greatly affects his daily life. He misses events, classes, practices, etc. He misses being able to be a normal kid, free of devices, constant beeps, hanging with friends freely and having sleepovers. And to top it all off, everything affects the blood sugar including exercise, heat, the sun, stress, growth, anxiety, sickness, along with so much more. You can do the same thing every single day, but diabetes will never give you the same results. 

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Talon has never let diabetes stop him!! It may slow him down a lot, but he always fights with a smile on his face. He has had so many amazing opportunities and met so many amazing people on this journey. He has been the face of Tomorrow's Hope, met with our members of Congress more than once, was the honoree for the JDRF Gala, been to D.C. for Children's Congress, participates in the JDRF 100 mile bike rides and met some of the most amazing supporters and celebrities living with T1D that have become family.

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This is why we hold this event. To continue to raise awareness and funds that benefit Breakthrough T1D to continue their research so that Talon can have the best life possible and eventually, one day be free of diabetes and all the devices. There is some real promising studies and trials happening that makes us so excited for Talon's future.