Real life

rdinarily, people with diabetes know when their blood sugar is plummeting: Symptoms like nausea, hunger, clammy skin, drowsiness and blurry vision are cues to correct it. But for folks who are hypoglycemia unaware, blood sugar drops just dont register. I started having episodes in 1999, about 10 years after my diagnosis, recalls Linda Mosier, a 67-year-old nurse from St. Louis Park, MN. I would wake up surrounded by paramedics. One of the most frightening episodes occurred while Linda was shopping. I suddenly forgot where I was and why I was there, she says. I dont know what happened after that, but the manager called 911. When I woke up I was in a wheelchair, and my blood sugar was 22.

Could a diabetes service dog help you?

To qualify, you Must be diagnosed as an insulindependent diabetes patient, which typically means you have type 1 diabetes, but might also include type 2. Some organizations require you to be healthy and active enough to walk your dog. Need a letter from your physician saying you require additional support for managing your diabetes, and a summary of your blood glucose levels. Must live in a dog-safe, dog-friendly environment. Officials will make home visits to make sure this is the case and that everyone in your family is able to handle a dog. Some organizations require that the patient be at least 12 years old.

Id never heard of diabetes service dogs

My guardian angels are furry & four-legged!

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When Linda told a friend she would no longer be able to drive, she suggested I get a service dog, Linda says. I had never heard about dogs for people with diabetes. Then my husband, Doug, found Can Do Canines of Minnesota, an organization that gives diabetes service dogs free to those who qualify.

For more info

To find a diabetes assistance dog in your state, visit Assistance Dogs International online at: assistancedogsinternational.org.
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Linda Mosiers second guide dog, Hamel, knows her blood sugar is low when he detects a certain scent.

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Real life
In April 2004, Linda applied and Hamel wouldnt take was accepted to the program. She was no for an answer asked to breathe into a piece of gauze About a month after Hamels arrival, when her levels got low, freeze it in Linda and Doug went on a camping trip a container and take it to the center. in their mobile home. In the middle of Pieces of gauze were sewn into dog toys the night, Hamel jumped up on my side so the Can Do puppies could be trained of the bed and started licking my face, to associate the scent with the need to Linda recalls. I woke up, but I was incoalert. She and Doug took weeks herent, so Hamel quickly ran over of dog-training sessions so to get Doug. At first Doug counselors could match gave him the off comhow does the right dog with mand, because Hamel it work? their family. is not allowed on the Certain chemical changes occur bed. But he kept when a person experiences a drop in Ivan saved me right on jumping. blood sugar. Dogs are trained to detect Thats when Doug 800 times this on their owners breath and alert realized something That August, Linda them. They can also be trained to was wrong and received a collie fetch juice, glucose tablets and quickly got my glucose named Ivan. Ivan the phone. pills. If it werent for would alert me that my Hamel, I dont know what blood sugar was low by would have happened because nudging me with his muzzle, my blood sugar was just 36. Linda explains. He probably saved my life 800 times, which is why we called him Ivan the Terrific. But after A gift from God five years of service, Ivan died of canToday Linda and Doug, who are both cer. I still grieve for him, says Linda, retired, take Hamel on a daily four-mile choking back her tears. We developed hike. Hamel never leaves the house withsuch a strong, loving bond. out his red-and-white backpack with Although Linda was still mourning emergency food and a packet of pills for Ivan, she knew she couldnt survive tucked in his side pocket. Linda is grateful without a dog. She applied to Can Do for her two guardian angels and says she Canines for a successor, and five cant imagine life without them. I havent months later came Hamel, a sandy had an episode in five and a half years, Lab. Within two days, he alerted me she says proudly. These dogs are a gift to a blood sugar drop. from God. Jodie Gould

modeRn medicine

mAnAGe DIAbeTes
Relax! You dont have to be a geek to use the latest technology to manage your diabetes. here, the newest software, websites and apps that can help you!
Blood sugar trackers and food logs
the biggest category for diabetes-specific software, sites and apps is tracker programs that help you monitor your blood sugar levels, time of injection, insulin units, exercise and symptoms. doctors and diabetes educators love these programs because they help you determine what works and help you manage your symptoms. and because theyre so popular, these applications are usually the first that show up when you search diabetes. try Vree for diabetes for iPhone, diabetes log (distal.com/diabetes log) or bookmark online logs like dia-log.com.

Techie tools that help you

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Diabetes | health monitor

healthMonitor.com

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