For rising second grader Abby Sutterlin, juvenile diabetes is a way of life.
The Daniel Island School student who will turn 8 in September, was diagnosed with juvenile (Type 1) diabetes at the age of 4.
It was a shock for Abby’s parents who had no history of the disease in the family. Ironically Abby’s father, John was a physician and her mother, Kendell, has a background in nursing.
As Kendell researched about her daughter’s diagnosis, she found that there was much more information on Type 2 juvenile diabetes, not the Type 1 Abby had.
Kendell explained that Type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood and sugar levels within a target range.
Abby gives herself her medicine through a pump. The medicine she gives herself is insulin.
According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Web site, a person with Type 1 diabetes doesn’t produce any insulin. The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.  People with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin several times every day.
Kendell explained that Abby’s pump is similar to a catheter and she changes her pump every few days.
Abby knows herself how to check her blood sugar, a  task must be performed 8-10 times a day.
Kendell said that she takes comfort in knowing that at Abby’s school, there is a full-time nurse who can step in if needed.
Abby checks her blood sugar in the classroom about four times a day.
If her blood glucose levels are not normal, the nurse will call home.
If the levels are too high, Abby needs insulin.
If too low, she needs sugar.
Kendell explained that heat, hormones, exercise and stress all affect blood glucose level.
Even Abby’s friends know the signs when Abby’s blood sugars are low.
“I feel really weak and pooped out,” Abby said.
Kendell said that her friends are quick to give her a call to let her know about Abby’s condition.
“She will lay down anywhere and not get up,” her mom said.
“If Abby wants to go swimming, she has to check her blood sugar before this and every type of activity,” Kendell said.
Typically, Abby can do a physical activity for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.
In the summer, she ups her blood sugar check to 10-12 times a day.
There is a risk of seizures.
Kendell explained that it is a 24 hour disease although it is manageable.
“We always have to be on,” she said.
“If her blood sugar is crazy when she is going to bed, we are up every two hours making sure that it gets back to normal. We try hard to make her not different. She has no choice in the matter; she has to have insulin, check her blood sugar. If she doesn’t there will be devastating consequences.”
In 2007, Kendell and John founded ABBY’S FRIENDS, a not for profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and money for juvenile diabetes.
All proceeds are divided among MUSC Children’s Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology Department, Camp Adam Fisher, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
ABBY’S FRIENDS has raised more than $350,000 for those three organizations over the past two years.
Kendell said that with these funds, MUSC Children’s Hospital has started a support group for children with diabetes.
With Camp Adam Fisher, children with diabetes get the opportunity to go to camp. ABBY’S FRIENDS raises funds for those who cannot afford to go to camp.
“We are blessed to have MUSC Children’s Hospital here, Kendell said.
“It is my hope and prayer that one day we will be able to find a cure for this life-long and potentially devastating disease.”  
Abby summed up her condition in a simple way.
“I have brown hair, brown eyes and I have diabetes. I am just like you, but I take a few extra steps.”

Abby’s Friends Gala
Fund-raiser benefiting juvenile diabetes
7 p.m., Friday, June 26
The Daniel Island Club
Tickets are $150 per person. Cocktail attire. The evening Gala includes dinner, open bar, entertainment by PlaneJane and a Silent/Live auction.  
For tickets or more information, go online to www.abbysfriends.org.

(Helen Ravenel can be reached at helen@moultrienews.com.)