Diabetes

A big change has occurred in our lives in December of 1999 when we found out two weeks before Christmas that Sarah had Juvenile onset diabetes. (Type 1). We had noticed that Sarah ate and drank a lot and some of our others did too, at different times, so we just kept an eye on things. What tipped us off was a note sent home from the school nurse saying that Sarah should have her eyes examined. She had just been checked during the summer and was fine. Now she couldn’t see certain colors and things on the board at school. Her eyes now tested at 10-40- and 20-200 and she had cataracts. A physical was done, with blood testing and Type 1 diabetes was the diagnosis. Our pediatrician sent us to Children’s Hospital, here in Columbus, Ohio. Sarah’s blood sugars clocked in around 430. Two shots of insulin, several finger sticks a day to check blood sugars, counting carbohydrates, etc. now became a part of our already full lives.

I (mom) was seeing results in my own life by following some of the "Hippocrates Diet" because I have some colon problems. I wondered if what I was doing could help Sarah. Her blood sugar kept swinging high; a 20-pound weight gain in six to eight weeks came along; roller coaster emotions, etc. we prayed for God’s guidance. The doors started to open. Hope to ever get off insulin never surfaced until I spoke with Mr. Brian Clement, the director of Hippocrates Wellness in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Sarah and I went to Hippocrates Wellness for three weeks. Within the first three days Sarah’s blood sugar levels were within normal range (80-180 mg) and while we were there, we had to drop her insulin dosage ten times. Weight began to drop and emotions were much more even. Back at home we kept on going with the diet, exercise and wheatgrass drinks. Sarah’s doctor at Children’s Hospital was thrilled with how well Sarah was doing. Sarah’s last day of insulin was June 7, 2000. Her 13th birthday was June 12 and what a birthday gift!

She still has cataracts but her vision is now 20-30 in both eyes and she doesn’t need to use magnifying strips anymore.

With much prayer and God’s strength, the help of family and friends, the summit of a mountain has been reached and the view is beautiful! As Winston Churchill once said, "Never, never, never give up!"

Vol 19 Issue 2 Page 4