This Blog is about my friend Josh who happens to be my brother Joel’s best friend. Josh has heart problems that are called Bicuspid aortic valve. Here is my interview with Josh. I also really like Josh’s family so I interviewed them as well and asked them some questions. I hope you enjoy my interview’s!

I met Joshua though my brother Joel! They have been best pals since high school and football games in high school. One day Josh and Joel had baseball practice and Joshua liked my shoes. I was shocked because one of Joel’s friends were kinda happy and nice to talk to me. My friend Melanie tried to set us up, but sadly he has a girlfriend. I remember how we danced together at Melanie’s wedding and my shoes kept falling off my feet. Joshua and Joel were the waiters at my 18 birthday party and he sang Baby by Justin Berber. Josh your heart is large enough for army of family and friends you are a very kind person.

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I have a wonderful relationship with Josh’s family. My friend Melanie was my aide at Kandu camp and my babysitter when mom and dad were away on date night, their auntie Karen was my fashion studies teacher at the comp! Their dad is a funny guy who likes to hug people too many times in a day!  Maria I have seen her at family parties and Melanie wedding

Kelsey: What was the first sign of your heart problems?

Josh: The first sign was when I went for a physical at the clinic with my GP. He was checking my heart with a stethoscope and noticed a murmur with my heart.

Kelsey: Where were you when it started?

Josh: It is presumed that I had a heart condition for most of my life but it was first found when I went for the physical in Grade 9.

Kelsey: If you happened to experience further symptoms, what would you need to do?

Josh: I would consult a doctor and/or cardiologist. Also, Google.

Kelsey: How did your family react? What did they say or do?

Josh: At first they really didn’t do or say much. I had to see several specialists and eventually got a Cardiac Catheterization to diagnose the problem. Along the way my family was very supportive and pushed the process along so that questions could be answered.

Kelsey: What are the 3 words that help you get through the worst days?

Josh: YOU ARE LOVED

Kelsey: If you met someone with the same heart problem, what would your advice be?

Kelsey: Tell me about your childhood, what was it like living with your sister’s?

Josh: My childhood was busy! I grew up on a family farm with my Father, Mother and 2 older sisters. We raised numerous animals, but primarily pigs. I got along with both my sisters, they couldn’t always say the same thing, and I have several fond memories of growing and learning with them

Kelsey: Who is the oldest child sibling?

Josh: My sister, Maria.

Kelsey: Do you wish you had a brother?

Josh: Yes and No. I would have liked it unless he was better than me at sports.

Kelsey: What was your job on the farm?

Josh: My dad’s left hand man.

Kelsey: What animinals did you have on the farm?

Josh: Pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, cattle, dogs, cats and myself.

Kelsey: What’s your favorite part of growing up?

Josh: Living in the country and learning to work.

Kelsey: Are you a Daddy’s or Mommy’s boy?

Josh: Daddy’s

Kelsey: Where did you go to school?

Josh: Sifton, Charlie Killam, Camrose COMP and NAIT.

Kelsey: How were your school years?

Josh: They were great! It was a break from work (Farming). I would love to go back to High School!

Kelsey: Did you make friends easily?

Josh: I would say yes, but you might want to ask them.

Kelsey: What’s your favorite sport or team game?

Josh: I would say my favorite sport is football but I am a big fan of all of them!

Kelsey: How was the MS bike tour?

Josh: I rode in it for 15 years and I look forward to it every year!

Kelsey: Would you do the tour again?

Josh: Absolutely!

Kelsey: Do you have a favorite holiday?

Josh: Christmas, for time with family and friends.

Kelsey: Where have you travelled?

Josh: My biggest trip was to Costa Rica with your brother Joel and Anthony Do. Other than that, numerous trips to the USA and across Canada. I have never been across the pond.

Kelsey: What is your job?

Josh: I am a Heavy Equipment Technician.

Kelsey: Who is your favorite movie actor/actress?

Josh: Tom Hardy

Kelsey: Where did you meet your girlfriend?

Josh: I met her through my sister’s friend’s sister who was a co-worker of Donnelle’s. That connection led to the first meeting in a Leduc parking lot.

Interview with Josh’s Auntie Karen (I had Karen for fashion studies teacher at the comp. We sewed an apron for my mom for Christmas and for myself)

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Auntie Karen: I am very proud of Josh. He’s a kind hearted man who is thoughtful and caring towards others. I always enjoy being with Josh and am especially grateful for the years when he accompanied Uncle Dave and me on summer holidays. Not every auntie gets to fly fish and hunt with their nephew, but I do!

Kelsey: What’s your reaction on Joshua heart problem?

Auntie Karen: I remember mentioning to his dad that since the men on his mom’s side of the family had heart issues, that it would be wise to have Josh checked out by his doctor. I certainly prayed for his recovery, but his dad and mom looked after him.

Kelsey: What’s your tips on his heart issues?

Auntie Karen: If someone’s family has health issues that could be hereditary, it’s important to have them checked out.

Kelsey: If someone else has the same heart problems?

Auntie Karen: Seek out other people that are knowledgeable and have had a similar experience. It’s important to have people to support them.

Interview with Josh’s sister Melanie (you might remember Melanie from a few blogs ago!)

Kelsey: What’s your favourite memory of growing up with your baby bother Joshua?

Melanie: Playing together on the farm

Kelsey: How did you act when he had heart problems?

Melanie: I was in high school so admittedly I was in a bit of my own world, but I was scared for him and what his diagnosis would mean for his future

Kelsey: What’s your favourite Christmas memory growing up?

Melanie: Christmas Eve candlelight service and eating Grandma’s rommegrot (Norwegian pudding)

Kelsey: How’s your kids like having your bother as uncle Joshua?

Melanie: My kids love Uncle Josh – he would be probably top 5 of their favourite people. He’s really good at getting on their level and playing with them

Kelsey: What’s your favourite thing about your bother Josh?

Melanie: He puts up with my antics like making YouTube videos about animal noises and singing karaoke with me for Kelsey’s birthday 😊

Kelsey: What’s your tips on his heart issues?

Melanie: Monitor blood pressure regularly, take cardiac mediation as prescribed, keep physician updated on family history and symptoms

Kelsey: What would you say if someone else did have same heart problems?

Melanie: Take good care of your cardiovascular health!

Kelsey: What’s was your jobs on your farm?

Melanie: Josh was a much better “farm person” than I was. I fed the animals, mowed the lawn, and hosed down the pig pens – that sort of thing – but Josh was the one to really do the hard stuff.

Kelsey: Where did you go on holidays with your family?

Melanie: Because a farm is 24/7, we didn’t holiday very often or for very long. When we did go it was Kananaskis Country for a few days with our camper. Our Mom took us three kids on a trip to Disneyland in 2001

Interview with Josh’s sister Maria

Kelsey: What’s your favourite memory of growing up with your baby bother Joshua?

Maria: I agree with Mel, playing together on the farm.

Kelsey: How did you act when he had heart problems:

Maria: I was grateful that the problems were being discovered and treated before anything really bad happened.

Kelsey: What’s your favourite Christmas memory growing up?

Maria: Going to church on Christmas Eve and then opening presents as a family in the morning.

Kelsey: How’s your kids like having your bother as uncle Joshua?

Maria: My kids adore their uncle. He is quite possibly their favourite. He plays with them so well and they look up to him a lot!

Kelsey: What’s your favourite thing about your bother Josh?

Maria: He is just an all around good person and is always there for you, no matter what!

Kelsey: What’s your tips on his heart issues?

Maria: live a healthy/balanced lifestyle and know the signs that something might need attention

Kelsey: What would you say if someone else did have same heart problems?

Maria: Take good care of your health and talk to your doctor

Kelsey: What’s was your jobs on your farm?

Maria: I mostly remember taking care of the chickens – feeding them, moving the shelters, watering them down in the summer heat, and putting together orders of frozen meat, and making invoices.

Kelsey: Where did you go on holidays with your family?

Maria: We often camped in Kananaskis. I have fond memories biking in the mountains. We also regularly went to Hastings Lake Bible Camp. But as Mel said, having a farm keeps you home more. But, I wouldn’t change it – nothing beats growing up on the farm!

Kelsey: What kind of pets or special animals

Maria: We had a cat named Lindsay Alyssa for years, and a dog Duke. A special pet for me was a little chick that never grew. I took it home to live in our furnace room. I made a home for it and played with it daily, and named it MJ.

Kelsey: Family favourite meals

Maria: My dad actually did a lot of cooking too! A favourite my dad made was rotisserie chicken. My mom made great cinnamon buns!

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Here is information on Josh’s Heart Condition I found on the internet:

Bicuspid aortic valve

A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is an aortic valve that only has two leaflets, instead of three.

The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta. The aorta is the major blood vessel that brings oxygen-rich blood to the body.

Bicuspid aortic valve

Causes

The aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. It prevents the blood from flowing back from the aorta into the heart when the pumping chamber relaxes.

BAV is present at birth (congenital). An abnormal aortic valve develops during the early weeks of pregnancy, when the baby’s heart is developing. The cause of this problem is unclear, but it is the most common congenital heart defect. BAV often runs in families.

A BAV may not be completely effective at stopping blood from leaking back into the heart. This leakage is called aortic regurgitation. The aortic valve may also become stiff and not open up. This is called aortic stenosis, which causes the heart to pump harder than usual to get blood through the valve. The aorta may become enlarged with this condition.

BAV is more common among males than females.

A BAV often exists in babies with coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aorta). BAV is also seen in diseases in which there is a blockage to blood flow on the left side of the heart.

Symptoms

Most of the time, BAV is not diagnosed in infants or children because it causes no symptoms. However, the abnormal valve can leak or become narrow over time.

Symptoms of such complications may include:

• Baby or child tires easily
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid and irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Loss of consciousness (fainting)
• Pale skin
• If a baby has other congenital heart problems, they may cause symptoms that will lead to the discovery of a BAV.

Exams and Tests

During an exam, the health care provider will likely find signs of a BAV including:

• Enlarged heart
• Heart murmur
• Weak pulse in the wrists and ankles
• Tests that may be ordered include:
• MRI, which provides a detailed image of the heart
• Echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound that views the heart structures and blood flow inside the heart

If the provider suspects complications or additional heart defects, other tests may include:

• Chest x-ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart
• Cardiac catheterization, a procedure in which a thin tube (catheter) is placed into the heart to see blood flow and take accurate measurements of blood pressure and oxygen levels
• MRA, an MRI that uses a dye to view the blood vessels of the heart

Treatment

Possible Complications

• Complications of BAV include:
• Heart failure
• Leakage of blood through the valve back into the heart
• Narrowing of the valve’s opening
• Infection of the heart muscle or aortic valve
• When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your child’s provider if your baby:

• Has no appetite
• Has unusually pale or bluish skin
• Seems to tire easily

Prevention

BAV runs in families. If you know of this condition in your family, speak to your provider before becoming pregnant. There is no known way to prevent the condition.

Alternative Names

Bicommissural aortic valve; Valvular disease – bicuspid aortic valve; BAV

Thank you for reading my blog I hope you enjoyed it!

The 1st weekend of December, Kathleen, Theresa , Craig and I made Christmas cards for the other teams with the Camrose Association For Community Living. We wanted to send joy and happiness to our friends this Christmas. On Saturday December 12, we had a FaceTime, Christmas exchange and turkey dinner with our friends from rose club.  Rebecca, ordered Christmas dinner from the Norsemen Inn! We had a zoom party, we played named that tune, from SingAble Ardelle was a special surprise to the party.  She and her husband had some Christmas songs to share. We also had a Christmas hunt in our house and Rebecca made clues and we had to go and look for Christmas stuff.

We also a Christmas dance party to end the night. 

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Levi brought us door prizes and our Christmas exchange presents.  For the door prizes I got some Christmas movies, a Christmas blanket, kitty calendar and a mug. I gave my Christmas presents to my dad for his birthday which was December 17. I haven’t been able to go home on my usual Sunday afternoon but almost every day I get to FaceTime my parents.

On a Sunday I got to FaceTime my mom and we made sugar cookies to decorate Christmas Day! 

We also made homemade turtles.  Kelsey (my staff) and I have been enjoying reading Nancy Drew books! I enjoy colouring books in my spare time and I colour everything that I can put my hands on!

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December 17 I went to see Dr. Parson’s my Chiropractor

To celebrate Dad’s Birthday we zoom called our Grandpa Raymond from Ontario and our Auntie Gail from Lloydminster and Joel and Ashley in Edmonton.

For Dad’s birthday cake we had a brownie cake with cream cheese icing on top

The kids got Dad a Jack for his birthday and my mom made Moccasins for his birthday.

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Alex and I colour my hair red before Christmas

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Coco got an early Christmas present. It’s a homemade jacket made by Grandma Sheila and Grandpa Mike!

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Tonight, we had our roommates Christmas exchange!

I got a butterfly night lamp, a red blanket and a red hat. Some butterfly hair pins, 3 different nail polishes

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We made candy canes cookies called peppermint meltaways.

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Another FaceTime Sunday afternoon of Christmas baking

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Christmas lights tour 2020

Red and golden nails are ready for Christmas Eve

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We watched the Christmas Chronicle’s part two on Christmas Eve and we looked at Christmas lights

Christmas morning, we FaceTimed Joel and Ashley. I got a day planner, butterfly pjs , word search books, colouring book, markers, sweaters and moccasins.

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After we opened the Christmas presents, we wrote in my day planner

Christmas afternoon we FaceTimed Joel and Ashley, we decided to decorate the Christmas cookies

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We made hash brown casserole, fruit salad with ham and Mac and cheese casserole.

Covid Christmas wasn’t the trouble of holidays it’s was a very joyful Christmas 2020. I had a wonderful Christmas. I even enjoyed a Christmas Drink.

Taking down Christmas decorations on Boxing Day

Krumkake

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Changed my feeding tube tonight. 2 times a year I change my tube. My birthday in June and at Christmas. It doesn’t hurt but it is uncomfortable. It takes about 15 minutes.

Helping with dusting

Colouring with new markers and colouring book, and making a meat pie

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I hope you had an amazing Christmas! I wish you all the best in 2021.

This blog is about my friend Melanie’s sister Kristin.

I met Melanie at Kandu Summer camp and she ran the Respite program during my school years. Respite is like the Rose Club I attend now but it was for kids. We would go on field trips on most Saturdays, some sleepovers at the CAFCL office and lots of arts and crafts. The field trips were at the space and science centre in Edmonton, swimming pool in Edmonton, the corn maze. I did that for many years with CAFCL.  I remember going to the green house and I got to plant for my mom for Mother’s Day. 

Melanie stayed with me while my parents went on holidays. I often saw Kristin when I was with Melanie and Kristin was also an employee at CAFCL so I saw her when she was working.

Here is my interview with Kristin. Kristin had Nocturnal Seizures. Which are seizure’s that happen when you are sleeping.

Kelsey: What’s your favourite childhood memory growing up? Where were you born and raised?

Kristin: I grew up in a very small town called Daysland which is just outside of Camrose. Hmmm my favourite childhood memory…this is hard to pick just one, but I think the thing I enjoyed most about my childhood is growing up in a small town where my parents never had to worry about letting us roam the town on our bikes with our friends.

Kelsey: How did you find out that you were getting seizures?

Kristin: Back in April of 2016 (I was 26 years old) I had an episode where I could not talk for seven minutes. I knew words in my mind but for whatever reason I could not say them. I went to my doctor and was referred to a neurologist who booked an MRI. The MRI found that I had a tumour on the speech side of my brain. She ordered another MRI to get a better look at the tumour and before I got those results, I had my first seizure on August 29/2016 while I was sleeping. All my seizures have been nocturnal meaning I have them in my sleep and have no idea when they are coming.

Kelsey: What kind of seizures do you have Kristin?

Kristin: I have nocturnal Grand Mal seizures. Meaning they happen during my sleep and I shake violently.

Kelsey: How did Melanie and Ryan act when you were having a seizure?

Kristin: My first seizure actually happened when Adam and I were living with my sister and brother-in-law. Adam called up for Ryan and Melanie to come downstairs and they both helped Adam out. Thankfully, we were living with them because Melanie being a nurse was able to calmly help Adam through the situation and help him call the ambulance. Both Mel and Ryan have been a huge support to me.

Kristin: My husband is the one, who I believe, this has been impacted the most as he was the person who had to witness me having these seizures. I couldn’t imagine having to watch someone you love have seizures. We also had no idea when the seizures were going to happen so it’s not like he could prepare for me having one. He would just wake up to me having a seizure and help me.

Kelsey: Were you ever worried about your seizures and why did they happen?

Kristin: When I found out I had a tumour I had a moment where I cried but after that moment, I was 100% okay. I had many MRIs to keep track of the tumour and when it came to the point where the tumour needed to come out, I was okay. I only got a little nervous the day before the surgery, but I had faith that everything was going to be okay, 

Kelsey: Did you guys change your plans for the day when you get seizures?

Kristin: When I would have a seizure, I would have to call in sick the next day for work as I was extremely tired, disoriented and would often feel nauseous.

Kelsey: How are your kids and your family doing?

Kristin: Since my kids are both so young (3 years old and 11 months) they are completely unaware of what went on with my tumour/seizures. When I had my surgery my three-year-old was aware that I was in the hospital but didn’t fully understand the extent of what was going on.

Kelsey: What did you guys do with the kids when you went into the ER?  

Kristin: When I first started having the seizures, we would get an ambulance to come get me and take me to the ER because this was something new for us and we didn’t know how to navigate it. As time went on though we stopped going to the ER when I had a seizure because we knew how to handle the situation and what to do. At the beginning we didn’t have kids, so we didn’t need to worry about finding someone to watch them. By the time we had kids we were comfortable with handling them on our own and didn’t require going to the ER, so we never needed to worry about finding care for our kids. When I had my surgery in March our families helped us with our kids while I was in the hospital. I am the type of person who wants to know if something is happening and what we can do to fix the problem or manage it.

Kelsey: Do you want more kids? 

Kristin: We do not want more kids; we like man to man defence which is what we have right now.

Kelsey: Are you feeling ok today or still not feeling good?

Kristin: This tumour caused me zero pain. It did affect my speech so sometimes I would forget words or mix my words up. I had brain surgery on March 6, 2020 to remove this tumour as we were told the tumour was growing. So far I have had zero seizures since the tumour has been removed. The picture on the left is me the day of my surgery and the right is about 5 days after surgery! (My shirt says Straight Outta Brain Surgery!)

Kelsey: Did people ask you about your seizures and how did you answer?

Kristin: Other than my close friends/family no one knew I was having seizures because I never had one in public since they were all nocturnal. Any questions my family/friends had regarding my condition I happily answered. I also made sure that the people I worked with were aware that I did have seizures in case I ever had one while working they would know to call the ambulance.

Kelsey: What did your doctor do?

Kristin: I see a neurosurgeon at the Foothills hospital in Calgary. He orders regular MRI’s to be done and then shortly after the MRI I see him for a follow up appointment for the results.

Kelsey: Are you on any other medication for seizures?

Kristin: I am on a seizure medication called Keppra. I am hoping that I can eventually get off this mediation since the tumour that was causing the seizures has been removed.

I asked Melanie to share her thought’s…

Her first seizure we didn’t even realize she was having one. She had what was known as an aphasic seizure, where she forgot how to speak, and at the time I though maybe she was having a stroke. Seizure never crossed my mind. Her first grand nap seizure was when her, and her husband, were living with us. It was late at night, and all we heard was him yelling from the basement. My heart dropped. When we got down there and saw her, and heard Adam’s description of what had happened, I knew it was a seizure. We had called the ambulance at that time, and they took her in. I was worried as to what was causing the seizures, and how this would change her life, but I also knew that she was a force and her team behind here would crush whatever was found.

When we found out it was a mass in her brain causing the seizures, my worry did increase a bit. Working as an oncology nurse, my mind tends to go to dark places at times. However, once I was able to calm and rationalize with myself, I knew what the doc had said and what they had seen, the darkness was a very slim chance. So, we kept truckin’ along as she did. My worry was always there, she is my baby sister, but I knew things would be okay!

When they finally noted that the mass was growing (this was about four years after initial diagnosis) and it was time to remove it, we had made the plan that I would come and stay with the boys while she was in surgery. In hindsight that was not the best choice to be alone with no adults to talk to. My mind could not stop racing while she was in surgery. So, the call that surgery was done and successful came as a very welcome and HUGE relief.

Thank you Kristin and Melanie for letting me do this interview. I hope people understand what a seizure is now.

In, November we were decorating the house for Christmas and we made a Christmas ball for our bedroom doors. We decorated the house with wrapping paper for the pictures in the living room. We put some snowflakes on the windows and doors.

On a Sunday afternoon My Mom and I did a painting class on Facebook, it was a Christmas owl and Joel and Ashley joined us in the art class!

My brother Joel and Ashley bought a little puppy and named her Coco. She is a sweetheart and I look forward to meeting her. She’s a special girl, you couldn’t get an allergic reaction from her. My brother Joel is very allergic to dogs.

We celebrated Janelle’s birthday party and we played a game of passing balloons.

I got Janelle a stuffed animal, it’s a rainbow puppy dog, Theresa got her a stuffed animal grey dog, Craig got her few CDs! Kat got her a new toy. We got her a birthday card. Overall, it’s super duper special birthday. Janelle you are so special and so much more fun than I could imagine. Happy birthday.

I made my special friend Melanie a surprise birthday present and an thank you present for doing an amazing blog post on her journey with ITP and her twins. Melanie’s son hung it up on the wall.

We did Face masks and a watched Christmas Cinderella story on Netflix.

We wanted to make a tour of Christmas lights this evening, but the silver van had something wrong with it. So, we decided to stay in the house and watch Christmas movies.

Getting ready for Christmas! Making hot chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce and ice cream on top. My Mom sends out a family Christmas letter and I stick the stickers on the envelope. We also wrapped presents. We made Cherry/Saskatoon Crisp!

New Christmas present came in early today. Check out my new wheels! This one even leans back and it is so comfortable. It is way easier to sit in for the day!

Getting some snowflake nails done for the winter season! The final nail polish and snowflake stickers!

Theresa and I had a movie night with Dolly Parton’s Christmas On The Square! I would highly recommend this movie!

Signing agreement forms with CAFCL and Centra Cam. Every November Centra Cam and CAFCL have a meeting on what I want to accomplish in the new year. This year was short and sweet as I haven’t been to Centra Cam since March when COVID-19 came into the world! My goals are working on Kelsey’s Butterfly Lifestyle and staying healthy. Unfortunately, we aren’t doing inschool presentations again in spring, but we might be able to do something. This year we are working on my blog and making it more interesting and learning experiences with the interviews on different disabilities and diseases.

If anyone wants to be interviewed, let Kelsey or Cherilyn know!

I was interested in my friend Aiden’s journey with Diabetes. We met in church years ago and I thought what a better way than to interview his mom Rebecca and Aiden. I hope you enjoy the interview.

A note from Aiden’s Mom Rebecca…

Aiden was in grade 10 when he started getting sick. One day he came upstairs, and you could see he had lost a lot of weight and was always thirsty. The next day I took him to Daysland Hospital. They diagnosed him with type 1 diabetes. We were scared. I said to Aiden we would deal with it. It was not the end of the world. We were in the hospital room and the nurse came in with his insulin. He had never given himself a needle before, but the nurse told him what to do and he did it himself. I was very proud of him.

This started a long trek back and forth to the Stollery hospital in Edmonton. He had great doctors there who taught us all about his disease and showed us how to manage it.

His little sister Emily was worried that she might get it, but I explained it to her that it was highly unlikely siblings would get it. Both Aiden’s Grandads were diabetic.

I cried for Aiden as it’s a scary disease. But we didn’t change a whole lot about our lifestyles. He can eat what ever he wants still. The insulin he takes when he eats keeps his blood sugar normal.

Friends had a hard time understanding he could eat what he wanted still. They would not offer him sweets. So, we explained about the insulin. His friends and our family friends were very supportive.

Aiden is very healthy now. He has only ever had one hospital stay since his diagnosis.

To newly diagnosed people I would have to give them this advice.

“Don’t let diabetes rule your life. It’s not in charge, you are. “

My Interview with Aiden:

Kelsey: What type of Diabetes do you have? One or two?

Aiden: I have been a type 1 diabetic for almost 11 years

Kelsey: What’s the different from one to the other?

Aiden: The main difference between the two is; type 1 diabetes is generally early onset meaning it is hereditary and you start to see it at an early age and is treated with insulin injections. Type 2 is typically seen later in life due to unhealthy lifestyle habits and is usually treated with good diet and exercise and in some cases can be fully reversed.

Kelsey: How did you find out what was wrong with you?

Aiden: Well when you have undiagnosed diabetes, you are very tired and sick all the time, and you tend to pee a lot. Those were the most noticeable warning signs.

Kelsey: What is something that is hard for you?

Aiden: Well diabetes can be a scary thing, so sometimes I can be worried about myself, and that can be hard.

Kelsey: Were you afraid of it?

Aiden: Yup pf course, something like that being 16 years old is definitely scary. Even now, I’m in full control over it. But there are still times where it can be scary. But you can’t stop living.

Kelsey: How did your sister and brother react?

Aiden: They were very young when I was diagnosed. At the time I don’t think they really understood, which is alright. I have had it for so long I don’t think they remember otherwise.

Kelsey: What did you change in your diet?

Aiden: The biggest change in the diet isn’t really a big change at all in the long run. It’s actually an idea everyone should adopt, which is “everything in moderation.” I still eat candy and drink pop; I just need to be careful and not to overdo it.

Kelsey: Is it hard to keep your sugars low?

Aiden: Not at all. I have been a diabetic for so long I have completely learned to be in control.

Kelsey: What’s your sign of not feeling well, what’s making you feel better?

Aiden: If my sugars are too high, I feel very sluggish and my vision can get slightly blurry. Insulin can fix that feeling. If my blood sugars are too low, then I get really hungry and shaky. Low blood sugars can be extremely dangerous, but a tablespoon of sugar or a juice box can fix that in just a few minutes.

Kelsey: What is your favourite things in your life?

Aiden: Well my friends and family. I am not too sure where I would be without them.

Kelsey: Do people see you differently?

Aiden: In my adult life, usually no. Though growing up, the other kids didn’t really know or understand what it was, so there were times when they saw me differently.

Kelsey: What’s your favourite childhood memory?

Aiden: I think I have quite a few, but they are generally involved in the sports I played. So to narrow it down I would say high school volleyball/basketball.

Kelsey: If someone had Diabetes what advice would you give them?

Aiden: The main thing I could suggest is always listen to your doctor. They are there with your best interests in mind. It might be scary, but don’t forget to live your life. It will just be a little different from other people.

Kelsey: How were your school years?

Aiden: They weren’t long enough, being an adult is hard. Being in school was the easy part.

Kelsey: Did you have friends growing up?

Aiden: Of course, I had plenty. I even currently live with my best friend from high school.

Kelsey: What are your hobbies?

Aiden: Oh man. Personally, I think I have too many hobbies. To name a couple, I play volleyball in Edmonton, I am into a game called Warhammer and I tend to spend a lot of time on my computer.

Kelsey: What are you good at?

Aiden: Well I tend to think I am pretty good in school.

Aiden: In January I went to Costa Rica for 3 weeks. It was stressful because I hadn’t travelled out of the country before. So I had to acquire as much information as I could get about being safe with diabetes while travelling. It was stressful but a successful holiday.

Here is some information I found on the Diabetes Canada website:

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes Awareness Month is a time when communities across the country team up to bring awareness to diabetes and urge action to tackle the diabetes epidemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has created even more urgency as adults living with diabetes are at greater risk of developing serious symptoms and complications, like pneumonia, and they are almost three times more likely to die in hospital. Today, one in three Canadians has diabetes* or prediabetes, and those at age 20 now face a 50 per cent chance of developing the disease. That staggering number speaks to the epidemic diabetes has become across Canada.

With 2021, and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin just around the corner, Canada can’t afford to ignore the impact of this chronic disease on individuals, families, our healthcare system and the economy. Help spread awareness this November and support us in the fight to End Diabetes! 

Here is some information regarding diabetes: