October 13, 2025 is a date that changed our lives forever.

Things began over a 2 week period. Starting with frequent urination, fatigue, achiness, and generalized flu-like symptoms, decreased appetite, and slight weight loss quickly escalated. One morning what appeared to be a simply viral infection, quickly turned into every parent?s worst nightmare. Emma Rose became extremely weak, and began struggling to breathe, then began to vomit. 

We went to the pediatrician who assumed she had the flu and needed breathing treatments. Shortly after being there, she collapsed and was barely responsive. It was during our ambulance ride to Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta that the EMT put her symptoms together and checked her blood sugar. She was at 504 and in DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis), a life-threatening condition. He immediately started giving her fluids. The ER doctor informed us that the fast acting EMT most likely saved her life, and she wasn?t out of the woods yet.

That?s the day our sweet and spicy girl was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes?an autoimmune disease that means her body no longer produces insulin. While diabetes is common, Type I is much more dangerous and harder to control than adult onset Type II.

Emma Rose spent four long days in the PICU, hooked up to insulin and several other IVs. These fluids were all she was allowed to eat or drink for 2 days, It was the most terrifying week of our lives.

Since then, our lives have completely changed. Emma now endures multiple insulin injections every single day, constant blood sugar checks, carb counting, and careful planning just to do the simple things most kids take for granted, Like having a snack or enjoying a birthday party. All of her food and activities need to be closely monitored and planned for.

Emma wears a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) and while it helps, it isn?t always accurate. Unfortunately the monitors have a 20% margin of error and report data that is 15-20 minutes old. Sometimes it can be off by as much as 100 points?and when it comes to her safety, that?s a risk we can?t ignore.

The hardest part is definitely the nights. While the world sleeps, we don?t. We live in constant fear of dangerous lows that happen without warning, especially overnight. There is nothing like walking into your child?s room in the middle of the night, holding your breath, praying her blood sugar is okay. Most nights we are forced to wake her between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM to stick her finger and give her a snack. This has affected her ability to rest and recover, as well as her mental state and her schooling. 

That?s why we are holding onto one very big hope: a diabetic alert dog.

These incredible, highly trained dogs can detect blood sugar changes and trends 30 minutes before machines can. They don?t sleep through the night. They don?t miss the signs. They would give Emma safety?and give our family something we haven?t felt in a long time: peace of mind. 

The additional expense of diabetic supplies has been a challenge, but we are willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary for our little girl. Our warrior princess has faced this diagnosis with courage, strength, and grace. Now we?re asking for help to stand beside her. If you know us, you know asking for help isn?t easy. But we would do absolutely anything to keep our daughter safe.

So today, we're asking.

If you feel led, please consider donating, sharing, or praying for Emma Rose. Every single act of support brings us one step closer to giving her the protection she deserves.

Thank you for loving our girl and helping us keep her safe. ??

Thank you for an support you can offer. Nothing is too small.