JDRF diabetes walk

JDRF diabetes walk

Ever since Benson was diagnosed with diabetes in December 2008, I have wanted to participate in a diabetes walk.  Every year this walk has been held on a Sunday. Now that we live in Utah, we get to enjoy the benefit of the walk being on Saturday!  We took Benson's friend, Tucker, with us and headed to the park for the walk.  As we walked around the park they had posters of kids with diabetes.  They had their dx date and how old they were.  We had a contest to see who could find the oldest and the youngest to be diagnosed.  Benson thought it was pretty cool because he was the very youngest to be diagnosed.  I could tell he felt strengthened and special seeing so many people with diabetes around him. He got to wear a special shirt that only type 1's got to wear.

My most favorite part of the walk shortly after we got to the park. Everyone was gathered around waiting for the green light to start the walk.  They had someone singing the National Anthem (which everyone knows always makes me cry) and suddenly Benson came next to me and gave me a big huge. He didn't know that at that time I was biting my lip trying my hardest to keep from making a scene.  I had huge tears in my eyes-- I felt the spirit so strong being surrounded by all those wonderful people who were there on a Saturday morning to give love and supper to those who deal with this disease.  It's not always easy, but I have seen so many blessings that have come from Benson having diabetes.  Some of those blessings are:

the ability to feel and rely on the Holy Ghost 

strength in doing something hard or challenging

Bensons ability to understand math/numbers

lessons on compassion and lifting others who are going through similar trials

hand of God in our lives

there are many good and wonderful people in this world

we cannot be perfect in this life and that's okay

miracles of modern medicine

communication is key

I'm grateful for Benson and his ability to take control of his body.  He has been remarkable since day one.  He doesn't ever complain about it, he just owns it and loves it. He's a champion and I appreciate his strength and courage.  Love ya buddy!

Benson and Ashlynn

We were so happy to run into Ashlynn. She is a girl from Boise who we met at swimming lessons at Grandma Blo's house.  We were waiting for swim lessons to start when my Mom introduced us to Ashlynn and her mother.  Her mother told us that Ashlynn was scared to get a pump.  Benson, being only 3 years old, whipped out his pump and showed her his pump and all the wonderful things about it.  He let her give him insulin and showed how it all worked.  She went home and told her Mom that she wanted a pump! Her Mother was thrilled. They had been trying for months to convince her to get a pump, and it wasn't until Benson showed her his pump that she was convinced.  

They were selling pump holders so we bought one from them that had BYU material.