Wyatt and Tilly are two pretty special little people in my life! I met Wyatt and Tilly 3-years ago when Wyatt was just 3 (turning 4) and Tilly was just learning to walk! This September they will both play a BIG role in Chris and I’s wedding- as the ring bearer and the flower girl! They have both grown so much in the past 3-years.

I’d like to share a little bit about Wyatt’s story. . .
When I first met Wyatt he was this crazy kid full of so much energy and excitement! Wanting to do everything that is BOY- tackle football, swimming, playing Star Wars, legos, cowboy and indians. A couple of months went by and things started to change. Wyatt’s attention span grew smaller- he would get upset over the smallest things. A ripped sticker turned into a full blown tantrum.

In February of 2010 Wyatt was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D is an autoimmune disease that comes on suddenly and strikes both children and adults at any age. T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. It just happens when our bodies suddenly start making antibodies to fight off an infection, but those same antibodies start attacking the pancreas and cause it to stop producing insulin. People living with T1D must carefully balance insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night. I look back at all those times when he was throwing a tantrum over some seemingly insignificant happening when really his blood sugar was probably skyrocketing and we had no clue.

Wyatt has spent the last 2 1/2 years of his life learning to live with T1D. Yet he never lets it slow him down! Wyatt wears an insulin pump 24-hours a day. He also has to check his blood glucose 8-10 times a day- each time pricking a finger to draw blood. Wyatt has even learned to check his own blood sugar! If you met Wyatt today you wouldn’t even know he has diabetes. He NEVER uses it as an excuse. He is always so athletic- doing Tae Kwon Do, soccer and he is an AMAZING swimmer on the swim team. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the next Ryan Lochte. Wyatt will live with T1D for the rest of his life because right now there is no cure.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research. The goal of JDRF is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating and preventing T1D.

Wyatt and millions of others diagnosed with T1D need your love and support. Please consider joining their fight against T1D on October 7th, 2012 at the UNC Asheville Campus for the Walk to Cure Diabetes. If you are unable to walk please consider donating to the fundraising efforts. By doing so you can help make a difference for millions of people’s lives living with type 1 diabetes.

Please visit Wyatt’s Team website to learn more about the Walk to Cure Diabetes 5K: http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?team_id=58780&pg=team&fr_id=1970&et=WEBVU1XchnS-qLQ3F0WwQw&s_tafId=31686

I look at these photos of Wyatt and just smile. I am so proud of the kid he has become. This year he learned how to ride his bike without training wheels! And next week he will start the 1st grade. He is such a wonderful loving kid- I don’t know what I would do without him! And Tilly- she loves her big brother so much. She is always so concerned about him. They are best (and cutest) kids ever!