DO NOT BID UNTIL FEBRUARY 1st!!
My name is Malisa Phillips, and I am a 26 year old wife and mother to three amazing kids (ages 2,4 & 6) and a Professional Newborn | Maternity | Birth | Young Child Photographer :)
I have had Type 1 Diabetes for over 16 years.
I have always been brittle but have managed well. I had quite a few complications growing up that left me sicker than ever.
Had stomach issues from uncontrolled BS, resulting in surgeries. Neuropathy that kept me in a wheelchair for a few months in High School. Diagnosed with an Autoimmune disorder when I was pregnant with my daughter that left me with brittle bones and joints. First was my pelvic bone, then knees, then shoulder and spine. This called for more surgeries. All related to my Diabetes and complications.
Until a few years ago I was always able to recognize my symptoms of dropping too low. I no longer have symptoms (Hypoglycemic Unawareness) before bottoming out, leaving me to test myself every hour or two to take away fear. It was a scary ordeal a few years back driving my car and not remembering how I got home. This scared me, and my husband. We tried continuous meters, with no luck on accuracy.
My 4 year old son Braidyn is also having issues with his blood sugars. He gets random highs but numbers aren't concerning enough yet for insulin. He is expected to have it within 5 years though.
Getting help paying for a service dog would give me an immense sigh of relief. I would put my trust in knowing I had a companion to help me take control before things got bad. They can pick up the scent of a low up to 45 minutes before a glucose meter would, giving me better control.
This would give me more time with my children, with my photography business, with school, and my husband. He is always concerned while on deployments (US ARMY), and he will be leaving again next year. I want him to focus on his mission and not on my health.
Diabetes Alert Dogs (DADs) are a relatively new addition to the Service Dog industry and are truly amazing companions particularly those who experience “hypoglycemic unawareness.”
Normally, a person with diabetes can feel their blood sugar dropping or spiking. They may become light headed, drowsy or experience headaches. Diabetics that suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness do not readily feel the effects of a change to their blood sugar and are therefore at a high risk for life threatening seizures and complications, especially while they sleep.
Diabetes Alert Dogs can smell a diabetic’s blood sugar dropping or spiking out of range, and alert their diabetic owner/handler in advance of a crisis. These dogs are trained to “alert” their owner to the onset of a change in their body’s chemistry and to keep alerting them until the condition is corrected or until they receive the help they need.
I'm hoping my story can reach others, and hoping to find a way to bring a service dog home.
There are over 40+ children diagnosed every day with Type 1 Diabetes. It's the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Extreme highs and lows in blood sugars can cause ORGAN FAILURE, HEART DISEASE, SEIZURES, KIDNEY FAILURE, NEUROPATHY, AMPUTATIONS, INFECTIONS, BLINDNESS, and DEATH. And there's NO CURE!!!!
I have some amazing vendors participating in this auction and all items and services listed will be up for auction starting February 1, 2013 so mark your calendars!!!
If you would like to participate please email me at malisaphillipsphotography@yahoo.com
If you can't participate but would like to donate click HERE
RULES:
Step 1: Follow my BLOG!!
Step 2: Please take a minute to LIKE each page and let them know you are here for the GIVING MALISA HOPE FUNDRAISER!!!
Each item will have a starting bid!! When you are bidding please make sure you leave me your PayPal address and the full dollar amount. Some shipping fees may apply.
Malisa Phillips Photography |Maternity Session|
