Hi Jason- my name is James. I have a little blog here that nobody reads. OK I have a few readers. But it’s fun to write. Kind of like kicking a ball around in the backyard by yourself. I like writing about places I visit and about things I read in the news. Which brings me to you dude! I just read about you and your quest to obtain a blood sugar sniffing dog. And raising money with a lemonade stand? Genius. If a sick blond haired little boy selling lemonade while pining for a puppy doesn’t tug at the old strings nothing will. And the fireman outfit? Again, you know cute.

I’m fairly critical of the media and especially critical of the way local news edits and spins stories to create what THEY want, rather than the truth. So when I saw the story “Diabetic boy needs dog” my eyebrow raised a bit. And unlike most other stories I’m barely qualified to comment on, I’m a type 1 diabetic - just like you. That gives me a bit of credit. I also checked out your site pawsoflife.com and read more about you.

First - I’m sorry to hear that you were recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I know exactly what transpired when the doctor sat with you and your parents in that little room and explained what diabetes was. Like most folks they probably thought only overweight people confined to motorized scooters developed diabetes. Nope - type 1 is genetic, and many healthy people just like us have it. Your mom probably cried and pontificated about how you and your family’s life will change, and lamented about how you won’t be able to live a normal life.

I know this because 20 years ago my sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at your age. My mom and dad had to learn how to take care of her, how to spot and correct her blood sugar ups and downs, and how to administer injections and medicine. And blood sugar monitoring equipment was stone age compared to what we have now. And you know what else sucked? After watching my sister live with diabetes through childhood and teens I was diagnosed myself at age 20. How’s that for a kicker? It’s a rarity really, as most type 1 is early or late in life. Anyway for 12 years now I’ve checked my blood sugar, taken shots, and made it a part of my life. But you know what? It’s not that bad…

After the initial minor life modifications and learning curve I can honestly say that very little in your life will change, and again, it’s REALLY not that bad. As for finger pricks and injections? Hey, it’s a part of life now. You’ll get used to it. Having diabetes is annoying at times. It still sucks sometimes for me too. When I’m out at the bar with friends and we run off to a movie, or more often another bar, I don’t want to have to slow my friends down taking my blood sugar. And I need to ensure I carry food with me at times. Trust me, you don’t want to go hiking eight miles and not be stocked with power bars. You don’t want to keep your blood sugar too low if you’re snowboarding or exerting energy for the day. And while you don’t want your blood sugar to be low, you don’t want to remain consistently high either. I admit it IS a tricky balance.

But all that said: If I had to CHOOSE a disease or illness to have, type 1 diabetes would be my number one choice. Well maybe psoriasis, just not on my arms. Hey we aren’t in wheelchairs. We have our arms and legs, and they work. We can see, hear, smell, and do EVERYTHING anyone else can do. Diabetes is 100% completely controllable. It takes discipline, strength, and skill. But you’re young, and smart enough to run a lemonade stand. Hence I think you’re smart enough to take care of your body and learn the intricacies of it.

If you look through my site, (and excuse the profanities – I usually don’t write for nine year olds,) you’ll see pictures of me doing everything a normal person does. I bike, swim, travel, scuba dive, fly airplanes, and I do it all with type 1 diabetes. Is diabetes annoying at times? Certainly. But it’s never stopped me from doing anything I wanted in life.

Now. This dog business. I had a golden retriever growing up. He was great, and I still miss him. (Speaking of needles.) Who on earth told you that you need a dog to tell you when your blood sugar is low? I love dogs. I think dogs that find people alive in earthquake rubble or dogs that assist blind people are incredible. As are their trainers.

You really need an insulin pump combined with a constant glucose monitoring system. Your mom says on your site they aren’t completely accurate. That’s correct; however no method of measuring your daily blood sugar is completely accurate. Twenty years ago my sister had to match up a blood sugar stick to a set of colors. This cumbersome process took two minutes. Today my blood sugar meter takes about 20 seconds and gives me a specific number. You’ll rarely get a 100% accurate reading, but that’s irrelevant, because what you should be concerned about is the TREND of your blood sugar. Is if going up after a big meal? Is it descending rapidly after a long soccer game? WHERE your blood sugar is going is more important that the NUMBER it’s at. Also a dog isn’t going to bark out your blood sugar number. See what I’m getting at? It’s up to you.

If I may quote your mom from your site:

Right now we have 3 options. We can continue testing our son around the clock. Option 2 is a continuous glucose monitor which would subject Jason to technology that is not yet accurate, having another infusion site (like a small IV), and doesn’t save any finger pokes. Or the option we have pursued and been approved for - a service dog (and best friend) that can help us know when Jason is in need of medical attention.

Jason, listen to me: A dog won’t change the fact you’ll STILL need to check your blood sugar every few hours. I do it at my desk every few hours at work, in the morning before biking to work, at home in the evening, and when I’m out with friends. I could have Lassie sitting right next to me yet I’d still need to monitor my sugar levels. Also according to what I’ve read a dog will only alert you when your glucose has reached a point of too high or low. What’s the point? You should already know where it’s going. And as mentioned, a constant glucose meter will do this for you.

Plenty of kids are diagnosed each year with type 1 diabetes. The weapons to combat this disease are knowledge of your body, eating and insulin delivery to match your daily activities, and having supportive family and friends. We have technology now that can basically give you a virtual pancreas. That’s pretty darn cool. And it’s more discreet than a dog. Plus, you don’t want a dog taking care of you - YOU want to take care of yourself. Relying on a dog to observe your blood sugar swings would cause more hassle and inconvenience than just doing it yourself. You want to be like a normal kid. Carting a dog around school will not make you seen as normal. Eventually you’ll realize you KNOW your daily patterns, activity habits and eating scheduled, and you know what to expect from your body. By the way does this dog bark at ALL blood sugar extremes? If we were standing in line at Subway and my blood sugar was high would be bark at me? Just curious.

I say keep the lemonade stand going, but when you reach your goal $25,000 donate it all to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Better yet keep hustling the media and get a company to match it. $50,000, or even a portion of that money invested in research by knowledgeable people will help many MORE children like you. You and your brother would have the satisfaction of making life better for many other children, some that don’t have the resources and availability to medicines that we’re fortunate enough to have.

I know, I know - you still want a the dog! I did too when I was your age. Why not adopt a puppy from Maxfund? Hey no kid should get to fly pass the responsibility of house training a dog. Sorry Jason - I had to, you should too. You’ll still make the news, but it’s a wiser decision that will benefit more people, including yourself.

Feel free to drop me a note. I may disagree with your family’s assessment of requiring a dog - but friends can disagree and still be pals. If you have any questions send me an e-mail. And should anyone read this and think I’m a total jerk for picking on a little kid - here’s a link to the PawsofLife site if anyone wants to donate. I might even order some chocolate chunk cookies. I love those. Almost as much as I love sun chips and a cold beer on a hot summer day.

All the best - James