The JDRF One Walk Allentown is THIS SUNDAY, October 7! Today we celebrate the driving force of our One Walk program—our Family Walk teams. When your friends and family come together at your local JDRF One Walk, you create change and positively impact lives of those living with type 1 diabetes. THANK YOU for all that you do help us achieve our shared vision of a world without this devastating disease.

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I control my diabetes so that I can live, but I do not live just to control my diabetes.

Julius Van Allen wants type 1 diabetes (T1D) to take a hike! His mother Stacy has been living with T1D for nearly four decades, and it was her son who decided to form a team for this Sunday’s JDRF One Walk Allentown event. First-time walkers, the Van Allens have already surpassed their goal of $2,000 heading into Event Day!

Read below to learn more about the Take a Hike, Diabetes! team, as shared by Stacy.

Tell us a bit about your life with T1D.

I was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 10, although I had been misdiagnosed several times before then. I was losing a lot of weight and was always tired. Since I am adopted, there were no family medical records to reference.

The initial diagnosis was a growth spurt, and we were told my weight would catch up with my height. When the weight loss continued, the second diagnosis was a virus. My parents were told to give me Gatorade, ice cream, whatever I could tolerate to keep me from getting dehydrated. The third diagnosis when I had lost 50 pounds or so was anorexia; I was told that I was vomiting on purpose.

Finally, I was at home and barely able to walk. I was so weak. I told my mother I needed to go to the bathroom and collapsed on the way. I began to tell my parents that I was a French fry, and I didn’t understand why they didn’t eat me! After rambling nonsensically, I lost consciousness. At the hospital, I remained unresponsive for three days. My admission blood sugar was over 1,750 mg/dl. Three days later, I awoke somehow knowing I had diabetes.

My life thereafter changed forever. Teenage years were difficult, as I was incredibly thin and my physical development was delayed. My mother was extremely overprotective, and I was very closely monitored. I was told that due to my high blood-sugar level at diagnosis, I could expect kidney damage down the road. I was told I would never have children due to the strain on my heart and kidneys. I was informed that my life expectancy would be shortened. But I decided at an early age that wouldn’t be me.

Thirty-eight years later, I have never had another episode of diabetic ketoacidosis. I have never been hospitalized for diabetes-related complications. My kidneys are fine, and I have had two beautiful sons who are now 12 and 9. I have minimal retinopathy and slight neuropathy in my feet. I have been on an insulin pump for 20 years and recently started continuous glucose monitoring. I never let diabetes stop me from doing what I want to in life. My motto is that I control my diabetes so that I can live, but I do not live just to control my diabetes. Finding that balance is challenging at times, but there is no other option.

Why did you decide to get involved with JDRF and the Allentown Walk?

We decided to get involved with the JDRF One Walk this year due to my son Julius’s upcoming Bar Mitzvah. As a requirement for his Bar Mitzvah, Julius is asked to perform some form of community service. After contemplating many options, Julius opted for the JDRF One Walk. As he wrote on his fundraising page, having a mother with diabetes has made him all too aware of the potential problems and complications associated with T1D. He created his own team, “Take a hike, Diabetes!” and set a goal of $2,000.

How do you fundraise for the Allentown Walk?

Fundraising for the Walk has consisted of creating a fundraising page on Facebook, posting flyers at work, and reaching out to friends and family. Julius has presented his fundraiser to his Boy Scout troupe, and he handed out additional flyers on the first day of Hebrew School.

As an ER nurse, I am frequently at the bedside of a patient that has been newly diagnosed with T1D. I know all too well the look of fear, anxiety and apprehension on their faces—and this is the only time that I get personal with a patient.

I sit down next to them and tell them that everything will be okay. I assure them that although life with diabetes is hard, it is not impossible. I show them my pump and tell them how long I have been living with the disease. I tell them that T1D is not a death sentence; they can continue to do everything they do now, just with a twist! I offer my assistance if I feel they are in need of additional support, and I tell them they can leave a message for me at the ER anytime.

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Registration for One Walk Allentown is open and there’s plenty of time to assemble your team, as fundraising continues well beyond Walk Day. Celebrate all the hard work—or kick off the start of your fundraising!—with a day of fun at the PPL Center on Sunday, October 7.

Interested in getting involved with JDRF One Walk? As a JDRF volunteer, you’ll join a community of people who care passionately about JDRF’s vision and are willing to do the work to help us make it a reality. We invite you to sign up to volunteer from the web or contact philadelphia@jdrf.org for more information. Your talents can make a huge difference.