Caledonia Argus

Local kids fight diabetes

Posted: 9/9/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

When 200 motorcycles came roaring into Caledonia last Saturday, it was an exciting time for Joey Haverty. Not only was it fun to see all the motorcycles, it was even more fun to be part of the event. The bikers were there because of Joey and kids just like him, kids who fight a daily battle against diabetes.

Joeyís dad, John, is a motorcycle enthusiast who organized Saturdayís Tri-State Thunder Ride to Cure Diabetes. Funds raised by all the riders will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. John was pleased with the turnout, and hopes to make the ride an annual event. Bikers were treated to live music from Ultra Violet Lights, prizes, and food in a post-ride party at Good Times in Caledonia. Major sponsors were La Crosse Harley Davidson, Waukon Harley Davidson, and the Harley Davidson Shop of Winona.

Joey was first diagnosed with type I (juvenile) diabetes at the age of 22 months. He is one of approximately one million people in the United States with type I diabetes. In a person with type I diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin, or produces too little of it. It is characterized by a high blood sugar content. Insulin is a hormone that converts starch and sugar into energy. Low blood sugar results from too much insulin or medication that lowers blood sugar. Diabetics are at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney failure. Every day, the diabetic must balance diet, exercise, and doses of insulin to keep blood sugar in an acceptable range. When itís a child with diabetes, it becomes the parentsí responsibility. And despite their best efforts, things can still go wrongóthatís the nature of the disease.

Joey is in first grade at Caledonia Elementary now and doing well, but he has suffered some ìbad lows,î including seizures, temporary blindness and hallucinations. His mother, Julie, is a nurse at St.Francis Medical Center, and his dad is executive chef there in addition to being an EMT with Tri-State Ambulance. Itís a good thing both parents are trained health care professionals, because Joeyís older sister, Carli, 8, is autistic. The Havertys are kept especially busy caring for the needs of both their children.

ìEvery day is a struggle,î said John. When his son is playing, he said, he is constantly looking out the window, fearful that something could happen, But his neighbors are helpful and know what to watch for, so that eases his mind somewhat.

Walk to Cure Diabetes

Aaron Goetting is a second grader at St. Maryís School. In mid-May, he was diagnosed with type I diabetes. He said his parents, Harvey and Greta, took him to the doctor because ìI couldnít stop going to the bathroom,î said Aaron. At the hospital, his blood sugar reading was over 700, almost seven times as high as it should have been. What followed was lots of pokes with needles.

ìIt hurted when they poked that thing into me,î said Aaron.

During his four-day stay in the hospital, Aaron surprised his parents by learning quickly how to test his blood sugar and give himself shots. He doesnít measure out the dose himself, but he gives himself insulin shots twice a day, and checks his blood sugar at least four times a day by poking a finger and squeezing out a drop of blood.

He didnít know what diabetes was before, but now that he does, he has formed an opinion on it.

ìI hate diabetes. Itís not fun,î said Aaron. He knows that when he gets dizzy and shaky, he needs to tell someone right away. And he knows that he canít have sugared pop anymore, unless his blood sugar is low. Heís allowed 30 grams of carbohydrates a day.

Diet is extremely important in managing diabetes, and Aaron has to make sure that he eats the rights things at the right time. But thatís no guarantee that his blood sugar will remain stable. He is in the ìhoneymoonî stage, where the pancreas is producing insulin sporadically, causing wide ranges of blood sugar readings. Exercise can affect the reading either way.

ìDiabetes is very frustrating,î said his mother. ìBut it could be worse. He is a good sport. He prays all the time that there will be a cure.î

At school, Aaron gets his snack at mid-morning right on schedule, and if there are birthday treats or a bake sale, he has to bring the treats home to eat when heís allowed to. His younger brother, Ben, and older sister, Shea, are now on the same schedule and eat the same snacks as Aaron.

Typical childhood illnesses such as the flu or diarrhea can put a diabetic child in the hospital, and a growth spurt can also make it difficult to keep diabetes in check. Aaronís parents worry about typical adolescent rebellion, when he might get tired of following the ìrules.î Greta said her main concern is that sometime his blood sugar will go too low, and she wonít be around to help him.

Aaron recently had his hopes raised when he received a letter inviting him to a ìWalk to Cure Diabetes.î He thought that if he participated in the walk, his diabetes would be cured. When his parents explained that it wasnít that simple, he was still eager to take part in the walk. This Sunday, September 14, he will lead ìThe A-Team,î which is made up of 19 family members and friends, on the walk at Myrick Park. Walkers collect pledges which go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Noon is check-in with a 1 p.m. starting time at Myrick Park in La Crosse.

Donations may be deposited in cans at local businesses. For more information or to make a donation, call Greta or Harvey Goetting at 507-724-3794, or Julie Hagen at 507-725-2863. Proceeds go to the The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Since 1970, JDRF has provided over $600 million for diabetes research, more than any other nonprofit non-governmental health agency in the world.

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