Melissa Taylor

Taelyn Fauset, age 8, has many talents and one of these is counting carbs. While this might seem like an unusual talent, it is because Taelyn has Type 1 Diabetes and has to log every calorie she eats to keep her healthy.

 

One of the biggest misconceptions about Type 1 Diabetes is that it is similar to Type 2.

 

“I think people always put the two together,” Taelyn’s mom, Jen Fauset, said. “I really wish they were called two different diseases because they are so different.”

 

Your body naturally produces a hormone in the pancreas called “insulin.” Insulin converts food into energy, but in Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin.

 

Insulin can be injected through a needle syringe, but Taelyn uses an insulin pump. She tests her blood with a finger poke 8 times a day and enters her blood sugar numbers into her insulin pump. The pump then dispenses the right amount of insulin to keep her body functioning normally.

 

It is important that Taelyn constantly monitor her blood glucose level, because if she drops too low, she can have a diabetic seizure. If she gets too high, she can develop a life-threatnening condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis which leads to a diabetic coma, or even death. Failure to monitor blood glucose levels can also cause loss of vision and create long term effects on organs.

 

Many people don’t realize the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Contrary to common belief, Type 1 is not caused by an influx of sugar and will not disappear with a healthy diet and exercise.

 

Taelyn was diagnosed four years ago.

 

“She was waking up multiple times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and get a drink and she was only 4.” Jen Fauset said.

 

Jen had a friend growing up who has a daughter with Type 1. “I just vaguely remember her telling me the symptoms,” Jen said. “I just knew.”

 

Taelyn was taken to the doctor to run tests. Her doctor did not think she had type 1, but Jen asked that she be checked anyway. Sure enough, Taelyn’s blood sugar was over 400, which can be considered a medical emergency. Taelyn was sent straight to Primary Children’s Hospital.

 

A normal day for Taelyn now consists of finger pokes and logging her carb intake.

“You just get used to stuff,” Taelyn said. “Your fingers get used to it.”

 

Currently, there is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

 

“Sometimes people still say, ‘maybe if she exercises and watches her diet, [it will go away].” Jen no longer tries to explain to people that it doesn’t make a difference.

”people just don’t understand.” Jen said.

 

Thankfully, Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t stop Taelyn from doing things she loves.

 

“I like to do art, and sometimes, I even like to play video games!” Taelyn said.

 

Taelyn says that when she grows up, she wants to be a dancer, singer, artist, author, and illustrator.

“And maybe a doctor too,” Taelyn said. “So I could find a cure for diabetes.”