Teens raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes

Teens gathered at El Paso Children’s hospital to unite in a fight against Type 1 diabetes; the support group came together ahead of World diabetes is set for Monday, November 14th.

For many people, this became an opportunity to tell their story and reiterate that having Type 1 diabetes is not a death sentence, instead a new form of lifestyle.

“One of thing biggest things that many people get mixed up is that there is Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, and the reason for that is that there is only 5 percent of people that have diabetes have Type 1 diabetes,” James Peterson said.

Peterson was not the only who voiced his frustration with the confusion people go through when identifying the two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is often associated with children and young adults. Volunteers at El Paso Children’s hospital- say Type 1 diabetes is a disease has the patients immune system destroy the cells that are responsible for releasing insulin in the body, and eventually leads to the loss of insulin production.

The teens that partook in the hospital’s advocacy event wanted to take an opportunity to tell other teens that may be getting diagnosed that having Type 1 diabetes is not the end of the world.

“I’ve had diabetes; I’ve learned more responsibility; how to take care of my self. I’ve gotten amazing friends out of it,” Josie Bukemper said.

As well as coming together for one another, the event was aimed at helping raise funds to try to eradicate the disease, as of now there is no cure for it. The teenagers also encourage anyone who may feel lost or unsure what to do after they have been diagnosed to seek help, to join a support group like their own.

“From my experience the first thing that I say one should look at is support, the support group in El Paso is for everyone, and just having that support around you and ecourage to build you up on your bad days. For tips on if youre high all day if your low all day things like that, it is very beneficial to have that support behind you,” Bukemper said.

The El Paso Diabetes Association would like to invite anyone that may have diabetes to join their support group, and become part of the fight againts diabetes.

https://www.facebook.com/ElPasoDiabetesAssociation