ABOVE Hudson's mother Shanna initially thought Hudson had come down with a
virus, but once doctors realized his symptoms were far more serious, he was taken by
ambulance to Savannah.
with the differences between the two.
Even though they share the same name,
that number is the difference between
a disease that cannot be cured and a
disease that can often be reversed with
diet and exercise. The reason is because
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune
disease, and Type 2 Diabetes is a
metabolic disease.
“People hear ‘diabetes’ and they
think, ‘You obviously had too much
sugar growing up,’” said Shanna,
which in Hudson’s case could not
have been further from the truth. It’s
a misconception that is difficult to
tolerate for a conscientious parent.
Only 5% of all cases of diabetes
are Type 1. According to the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF),
“With Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas
suddenly stops producing insulin,
which causes dependence on artificial
insulin for life. Without constant
management, complications can be lifethreatening….
Diet does not cause Type
1 Diabetes, and there are no dietary
changes you can make to prevent its
onset.”
Since its founding in 1970, JDRF's
own research led them to conclude
that the onset of Type 1 Diabetes,
commonly referred to as T1D, was
not limited to juveniles. “Today, we
know an equal number of children
and adults are diagnosed every day—
approximately 110 people per day.” As
a result, the Foundation has committed
“to remove the misconception that
T1D is only a childhood disease.”
“Hudson’s first cousin was
diagnosed at eleven-years-old,” said
Shanna. “But Dr. Higgins,” a wellknown
cardiologist in Vidalia, “didn't
have it until he was in medical school.”
Type 2 Diabetes, commonly
referred to as T2D, “is a metabolic
disorder in which a person’s body still
produces insulin but is unable to use
it effectively. It can be managed with
diet and exercise or medication. More
serious cases may require insulin
therapy” (jdrf.org). Unlike T1D, which
is unpreventable and has no cure, the
Mayo Clinic website states, “Healthy
lifestyle choices can help prevent type 2
diabetes, and that's true even if you are
genetically predisposed to it.”
Misunderstanding about Type 1
Diabetes inspired Hudson to submit a
paper to the Georgia Senate for Type 1
Diabetes Day on March 14, 2019, this
past legislative session. As a result, “he
was selected to be a page,” said Shanna,
“and was able to spend the whole day
with Senator Blake Tillery. He also got
to meet Lieutenant Governor Geoff
Duncan.” The experience made him
more determined than ever to make
a difference for those with Type 1
Diabetes.
Although Shanna and her family
have great insurance, many do not.
Without insurance, the new tandem
X2 pump that Hudson will receive this
fall would cost his family $8000 out of
pocket. His Dexcom CGM transmitters
that have to be replaced every 3 months
would cost them $500 each.
That’s not even taking into account
24 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE
/jdrf.org