This summer, we are highlighting some of our amazing Walk Teams. This is a Q&A with Michelle Denison, mom to Ella.

Team Name: Ella’s Super Team

Years participating: Second year (diagnosed in Feb. 2019)

Why?: This walk means so much to us because our daughter was diagnosed at the age of 5 with type one diabetes. It was out of the blue and no one in either of our families had T1D. We feel like this is our way to raise awareness for others. You think it could never happen to you, and then it does and your world is forever changed. We have been so extremely blessed by the generosity of friends, family, and school/church family during this time. They continue to pray for us and our journey, they continue to pray for a cure for Ella and others like her, and they continue to support us in any way that we may need.

Why do we love the walk?: It is a time for Ella to see that she is not the only one that deals with the everyday challenges that come with being a T1D. Ella attends a small private school and she is the only one at St.Mary’s of the Knobs that has T1D. Her classmates have been educated and support her and watch out for her, but none of them understand 100% what it is like to be in Ella’s shoes. The walk is such an amazing way for her to see she is not alone. It also helps my husband and me see that we are not the only parents going through this.

Fundraising: We use social media to help us spread the word and raise money for Ella and the cause. I mentioned our school is small, but that’s one reason we love it. We have so many school families that support us during our walk, and even some who come out and walk with us. We are tiny but mighty! St. Mary’s of the Knobs is our second family. We were very successful in raising donations this way last year. We are so excited to walk again this year and hope to grow our team!

Even though the walk has a special place in our hearts, we hope that one day we will gather for a different reason because JDRF research has found a cure. We pray that one day our sweet girl will live a life without worry.