Dear Member of Congress,

I am a twelve-year-old boy who lives with type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed when I was only two years old. Of course, I do not remember that so I have learned the experience through my parents.

My parents didn’t know what was wrong with me. I started wetting the bed, had fruity breath yet was very easy going (lethargic). They called our family doctor and he ordered a few tests. My fasting bloodglucose level was 330. That is more than three times higher than normal. I was admitted to the hospital immediately. My parents then had to learn how to give their toddler insulin injections.

Over the next nine and a half almost ten years we have learned so much on how tomanage this life threatening disease. I am an excellent student and have no problem counting carbohydrates. I also wear an insulin pump, which better administers the insulin into my body. Occasionally, I wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) so that we can make sure my insulin pump settings are correct. Too many high or low blood glucose episodes can cause serious health issues.

I would like to see a cure because this disease is life threatening. I live everyday knowing that I have to manage it or it will hurt me. The U.S. Congress should continue to support research. Research for type 1 does not directly effect a majority of the population but will aid the masses that have type 2. These two diagnoses together affect over 50% of the people in our country. To support one will benefit both.

I personally have supported my own cause by raising funds for JDRF. I rally a team each spring and walk to cure diabetes. This year I raised over $2,700 for this event. If I can do this then the government should be able to do much, much more.

Thank you for your time. I appreciate your consideration to be one of the Iowa Children’s Congress representatives for the 2011 session.

Sincerely,

Kyler Akers