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Youth Ambassador Spokesperson, Madi Dodge |
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Hi, My name is Madison Dodge. All of my friends call me Madi. I am active in many things, playing roller hockey, acting, singing, playing piano, designing fashions, lots of things that "almost" 13 year old girls like to do. I am also active in doing everything that I can to help people diagnosed with diabetes, and active in helping to find a cure! This is important to me for many reasons. Both my dad and my grandmother have type 1 diabetes and they mean so much to me. When I was 5 years old I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes too. When I was first diagnosed I was scared and wanted only to get out of the hospital so I could be "cured". Because I had been in the hospital with asthma and pneumonia several times before I thought that as soon as I went home I would be all better. It was then that I realized that I would have diabetes for life... or at least until there is a cure. I made a determination early on the do all that I could to control my diabetes so that I never would control me. I also decided to make it a positive influence in my life, so that I could hopefully be a positive influence in the lives of others. |
| There are many things that are difficult with having diabetes as
a child. Not only are there the frequent blood glucose checks and
finger pricks, the endless shots or insulin pump site changes, the
constant counting of every gram of carbohydrate I ingest, but there
are also the worries. Worries that I will have damage to my eyes,
kidneys, heart or other essential body parts I plan to keep for life.
Worries that I will have a hypoglycemic reaction in the middle of
a hockey game, or in class. Worries that I might be teased or laughed
at because others do not understand. Worries because I am the only
child in my classes, church or neighborhood diagnosed with diabetes.
Although I had the unfailing support of my family and friends, I used
to worry that I would be alone in this forever. But I have found that I am not alone at all. Through experiences like Camp Possibilities, I have found that there are many children and young adults just like me. When we go to camp everyone is counting carbs, checking blood sugars and taking insulin, but it seems so "normal" and accepted there. We have the opportunities to take part in regular camp activities- swimming, hiking, fishing, arts and crafts, dances- all kinds of fun! many children like me can not go to other camps because there is not a medical staff trained to handle the ups and down and daily care of diabetes. At Camp Possibilities I made some great friends that I think will last a life time... fellow campers, caring counselors, a terrific medical staff and of course the Camp directors too! I am so glad that I have had the wonderful opportunity to go to Camp Possibilities for the last three years. I look forward to going again this year. I am already keeping a watch on the website of how many days are left until camp. If I had to search to find anything negative to say about Camp Possibilities, it would be hard. The only thing I can think of to complain about is that it is only one week... I could go all summer! |