Sarasota, FL: In the Summer of 2019, Driver Lacy Kuehl raced for Diabetic Ketoacidosis survivor Oakley Terrill. Lacy made a personal poster, video, and brochures to share Oakley's story. Lacy loves helping others and sharing these stories to save LIVES.
Oakley Terrill Story of Type 1 diagnosis and survival
Oakley, age 9 at the time, was a very active kid. He raced go-karts and played soccer and baseball, but his passion is go-kart racing. He was always playing outside, helping his family with chores, cutting wood, and doing yard work. One day we were out working in the yard, which was very warm. Oak could not get enough water. That was the first time I had noticed his excessive thirst, so later that evening, I mentioned it to my wife, Christin. She told me that earlier in the week, he had some issues with bed-wetting that were out of the ordinary. Christin is very familiar with diabetes and their symptoms because her two brothers have T1D and her dad has T2D, so she made Oak's first Doctor’s appointment, which would be on April 4, 2017.
April 4, 2017, was the day that changed our lives. We noticed signs of diabetes but didn't want to think it was true the thirst, urinating wetting the bed. We noticed the symptoms a few before making the appointment with the family Doctor. We arrived for our appointment, and the family Doctor pricked Oakley's finger to check his Blood Glucose and his number was 443. The Doctor was very concerned about our child as he was on the verge of being in Diabetic Ketoacidosis, 443. For anyone, it's alarming, especially since Oakley, 9 at the time, was not diagnosed as Diabetic. The Doctor sent us to the local hospital to do blood work to double-check his number. It was the same, and his a1c was 10.2. Then we went back to the family Doctor's office, and he told us to pack our bags and go straight to Erie, Hospital as there is a bed waiting for Oakley, and he needed urgent care now. "TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE." When we arrived, we went straight up to the room where a nurse came in and give Oakley a shot of insulin, and they kept watch on his numbers every 2 hours until they got his numbers under control. Oakley was on the verge of diabetic ketoacidosis, but Mom and Dad did the right thing and got him tested. Good Job MOM and DAD...
"Check, Don't Guess" It may not be the Flu!
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
Extreme Thirst / Fruity Breath / Drowsiness / Confusion / Heavy Breathing / Vomiting / Sudden Weight Loss / Frequent Urination / Increased Appetite / Sudden Vision Changes / Unconsciousness /
"Education is Knowledge, and Knowledge is the Power to Help save LIVES!"
We spent 4 days in the hospital learning about diabetes and administering shots so we would know how to do it by day 4, Oakley's numbers were under control, and he was pricking his fingers and giving himself his shots on his own and has been doing it himself ever since he has learned how to count carbs and gives himself enough insulin to cover the food he eats. We had to have help learning how to transition this 9-year-old from being able to eat whatever he wants to learn how to count and calculate everything he eats, as well as how to give himself shots. This had to be one of the scariest times in our lives. One of the first things Oak asked when we finally got this under control was, “Can I still race?” We told him you could do whatever you wanted! This disease is not going to stop you. Over the last 2 years now, Oakley has shared a lot about his diabetes with his friends, and they have all watched him check his blood sugar and give himself shots. We think it is important to share and educate people because you would not believe the number of people we have talked to that have no clue what diabetes is and how it affects a child and their family.
Oakley is now 11 Junior 2 driver and is a track champ with many trophies, and this kid is a true wheelman. Oakley is dealing with something no kid should have to deal with. Some kids understand diabetes better than others, and some kids will struggle.
Oakley was awarded by his School "The Good Citizenship Award" Oakley has proven that even with diabetes, you can do anything you want to do and become an ambassador for Diabetes Awareness. Never give up the fight! We would like personally thank the Kuehl family and the Drive for Diabetes Awareness program for the opportunity to share Oakley’s story and help raise awareness.
Dad and Mom.
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BY SUPPORTING DRIVE FOR DIABETES AWARENESS, YOU PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN HELPING DIABETES AWARENESS THAT HELPS, PREVENTS, SUPPORT, AND ULTIMATELY EDUCATES OTHERS ABOUT DIABETES AND ITS COMPLICATIONS. THERE ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN HELP! DRIVE FOR DIABETES AWARENESS, INC IS A 501 (C) (3) NON-PROFIT. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW. COPYRIGHT ©2014-2022 DRIVE FOR DIABETES AWARENESS, INC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. EIN# 47-2243582
Media/Sponsor Contact:
Drive for Diabetes Awareness, Inc 501 c 3
President/Founder: Brent Kuehl
Email: Brent@DriveforDiabetesAwareness.org
Phone: 941-447-5929
Website: www.drivefordiabetesawareness.org