JDRF | OC Portrait Photographer

Greyson is my dear friend Kristie's sweet 3-yr-old son...who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  I still remember her calling me asking for help with rescheduling her hair appointments (she is a FABULOUS hair dresser!) because she was taking little Greyson to the hospital...not exactly sure what was wrong with him.  It caught me off guard, but I could tell by the tone in her voice, she was trying to be calm, but she was worried.  This was serious. 

I guess Greyson had been showing signs of having diabetes for a little while...but Kristie and her husband just didn't see it...until a friend mentioned that his symptoms sounded like diabetes.  That was all it took...and Greyson ended up being admitted to the hospital for a few days while they helped get his blood glucose levels normal again. 

Flashback about 2 1/2 years to when Greyson was still a baby...I can't remember all the details...in fact I can't even remember if we were at my house, or Kristie's, but I do remember giving Greyson a taste of something - something like frosting, again, the details are hazy...but the next thing I know, Kristie is like, "Did you just give Greyson some of that?"  I said, "Yeah, is that OK?"  She very politely said, "No, actually, I don't give my babies sugar during their first year..."  I honestly thought she was joking at first...but then it hit me...I had CORRUPTED her child!  I felt terrible! 

Now, here we are a few years later...and Greyson has diabetes...of course NOT because I gave him sugar before he turned 1, but that story immediately popped into my brain as soon as I heard he had it. 

So this handsome (he hates it when you call him cute!) little boy now has to have his levels checked throughout the day, and his parents help treat him by administering insulin injections.  Talk about having your life turned upside down!  Basing it on how it was for me when I had Gestational Diabetes, it really does affect the whole family, not just the individual.  But I know Greyson has amazing parents, and a loving support system of family and friends. 

Why am I telling you this story?  Well...not only does my dear friend's son have Type 1, but I also have 2 cousins who have it...and for a while now, I've been thinking of donating a portion of all of my sales to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF as they prefer to be called, because they serve ALL who suffer from Type 1, not just children.  To read more about them, check out their website at www.jdrf.org
and if you'd like, you can make a personal donation on their site as well.

I'm sure we all know someone with diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2, or even Gestational.  It can be scary, but it can also be managed...thankfully.  JDRF is working to find a cure for it...so I am all for supporting them in their cause!