Local Familes meet with Representative Lamborn

Meeting attendees included, L to R: Teresa Littlefield, Jessica Littlefield, Katelyn Littlefield, Representative Doug Lamborn, Britain Buxton, Lynn Page and Tim Buxton

Colorado’s Representative Doug Lamborn met with two wonderful families today. Katelyn Littlefield and Britain Buxton were both diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a few years ago. Both were anxious to tell their story.

Katelyn presented Representative Lamborn with a photo album that showed “a day in the life of someone with diabetes”. She was able to explain what it is like trying to be a normal kid while always being aware that she has to stop to take care of her diabetes. Diabetes takes no vacations, it is always there.

Katelyn and Britain were able to talk about the promising new technology, the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). Representative Lamborn seemed genuinely interested in this technology. Both were able to demonstrate themselves wearing the device, and Katelyn brought in both a new and used sensor to show “just how big that needle really is”! The shock factor was immeasurable.

They also spoke about how an insulin pump works, and were able to show him what an infusion set looks like.

Everyone chimed in with a discussion about how diabetes affects everyone in the family, not just the single person that was diagnosed. No meal, no activity, not anything can happen without diabetes interrupting.

Teresa, Lynn and Tim went on to explain the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, something they were not completely aware of. The fact that Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder rather than something brought on by poor eating habits was discussed. It was pointed out that insulin is not a cure for diabetes, but rather, it is a stop-gap measure until a cure is found.

Teresa and Lynn talked about the importance of research and the continuing need for the government to fund such research. We are getting closer to a cure with the ability to identify those that might develop Type 1, the ability to stop the progression in some patients, and the artificial pancreas project, of which the CGM is a next step towards.

In closing, big sister Jessica was able to talk about her sister’s ability to press on and move forward, despite what life has dealt her. She talked about the motto that Katelyn has set for herself…”I have diabetes, but it doesn’t have me!”