Something Close to My Heart

 

Those of you who don't follow me on social media might not be aware that I'm a LGBTQ+ ally, and VERY much an ally of #trans rights. My youngest child is a transgendered person, something I've put out into the world more than once, and we live in Texas, not necessarily a good mix right now.

I love being Texan. If you've ever met me, you might've noticed my purse or something on my person or author table with the state of Texas on it. I consider it part of my identity. However, I love my children more. They always come first, especially at a time like this when some people in this state don't think one of them has a right to live as his genuine self. I'll be the first to admit I had doubts when he first told us he was born as the wrong gender. But there comes a time in a parent's life where we have to take a step back and come to terms with our child knowing their own mind, making their own decisions, and taking those first steps away from us. In our case, this was a big one, but his conviction and absolute belief that this was true was irrefutable. I'm so glad we listened to him. What would any parent do when faced with the choice of believing their child or losing them? We honestly thought that might happen, and it made our choice easy. He knows his own mind, he knows his own body. What can we do to help?

My son was able to have top surgery last March (double mastectomy) and he had started taking testosterone a few months before. Luckily, we live in Houston and had resources all around to help us with this journey. It was relatively easy, if not a little expensive, but we got it done. Name changed, the paperwork of his life straightened out, and at seventeen my child became a young man in the legal eyes of Texas. If that had happened in 2022 there's a good chance it would be considered child abuse. As it is, at least one Texas parent is being investigated retroactively for their now adult trans child transitioning while being a minor. I might still have a legal battle ahead, but it is nothing compared to what the actual transgendered youth in Texas are dealing with. To help ease some of this burden, a group of authors and concerned others have gathered together to raise money for groups actively fighting these hateful laws in Texas.

 The first offering is a bundle of books collectively called Spooky Spring. These thirteen books (yes, full novel-length ebooks) can be purchased with a donation of at least $25. Every penny goes to an organization on the ground in Texas fighting for the rights of our kids who have done nothing but live as their authentic selves. 

Don't want this particular book bundle? No problem, there will be more! I'm offering a book in one of the future bundles as well. This link will take you to the newsletter sign up to be alerted to future book bundles for this cause. 

Unsure if you want to help because this cause isn't a part of your life? No problem. I sincerely appreciate you reading this far. Please help us get the word out on social media, or to other readers any way you can. On the fence because you just don't "get it"? No problem. I'm absolutely open to questions. Though I'm not a transgendered person, my son is also open to answering questions about being trans and what it means for him. I can tell you what it means for my family and how it has affected us. 

All we're trying to do is help #trans kids live with the freedom that many others in Texas enjoy. Thank you for reading this post.

Our Walk Team Can Use Your Help

It's that time of year again. We're walking to raise money for research in the hopes that one day my 12 year old daughter, and the many other people with Type 1 Diabetes, can live a more normal life. Over 80% of all donated money to JDRF goes straight to research. In just the four years since my daughter's diagnoses the artificial pancreas, smart insulin, encapsulation, and other life-altering breakthroughs have gone from "We hope to one-day..." to actual human clinical trials. These specific breakthroughs have been helped along by the JDRF organization and the hard work of thousands of volunteers and fundraising individuals.

I know there are a lot of worthy causes. I realize October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I know it's so close to the holidays that every penny matters. If you can donate even a single dollar, it would be GREATLY appreciated. Every single donor will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Donate $20 or more and I will send you a signed book. Just click here to donate and be sure to include your name and email so I know how to contact you.

Thank you!! 

The Face of Diabetes in My Family

I'm usually very careful about what I share publicly that has to do with my family, but one thing I'm not shy about is my daughter's Type 1 Diabetes. I have four beautiful girls who I would do absolutely anything for, so being given the diagnosis that my youngest (then 7) had an auto-immune disease that I couldn't "fix" devastated me. That was in 2011. Now that we've lived with it for over four years, we're kind of getting a handle on things. Kind of. There are still bad days. There are still times when she doesn't feel like pricking her finger again, when she doesn't even want to eat because she'll have to check her blood and take insulin, when she is sick to death of counting carbohydrates.

And who can blame her? All I want for my children is to live a loving, productive, normal life. Or as normal as I can make it for them while they still live in my home. But this is one monster I can't slay, and it kills me to admit that such exists. I pray for the advances we've seen in just the past four years to keep on going at light speed. I don't want her to have to become an adult with type 1. Why? For one thing, there are many other health complications that go along with this disease as a person ages. This isn't the type of diabetes that can be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Her pancreas doesn't produce insulin the way it should, and at this time there's no way to correct that. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The organization I've chosen to support for this journey is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. When we were first given the diagnosis it was the only one I knew existed. I now know there are others, but JDRF has been so good to us. Every event I attend, which happens at least twice a year, is full of information about the advances in research and ways they are trying to help type 1 diabetics live a more normal life. This foundation has a walk every year, where about 80% of the proceeds go directly to research. From my own personal research, that's a phenomenal number. There are too many non-profits with a lot of overhead who can't claim such a large amount actually goes to where it's intended and desperately needed.

I know there are a lot of very valid charities out there. I know there is a lot of need and we can't possibly fill it all. However, all I'm asking for is $1. If everyone who reads this post pitches in just that much to sponsor our walking team, we'll be that much closer to our $500 goal. What can our one team do? In the past four years since our diagnosis, the artificial pancreas has gone from experimental to a reality. A drug called "smart insulin" was created and will soon be in human clinical trials, along with a procedure called encapsulation that will theoretically allow a T1D live without the disease for up to a year. I want these things to become a reality for my daughter. I don't ever want her to be afraid of intimacy as an adult because her abdomen is bruised from her injection sites. I don't want her to be afraid to eat because of her blood glucose levels. Just like everything else, these advances require funding.

You can help by donation to our team here. Thank you for reading this.

Why I'm Walking

Before January 11th of this year, I didn't know diddly squat about Juvenile (Type1) Diabetes. My mom has type 2 diabetes and I always suspected I would eventually be diagnosed with it as well (I was a few months ago), but Type 1 wasn't something I ever gave any thought to. I knew Nick Jonas has it, as well as a slew of other celebrities and a few sports figures. Imagine my surprise when my then seven year old was diagnosed as well.
My daughter Alice Jane has Juvenile Diabetes, and her diagnosis was a real eye-opener. Most moms will do anything to take away their children's aches and pains, but what do you do when you simply can't? The entire family has gotten much better at our eating habits. We ALL know how to read nutrition labels now. And, everyone does their part to ensure Alice takes her medicine every single day.
So, what else can we do? Not much really. There are still an amazing number of unknowns associated with this disease. And that brings me to the point of this blog. This weekend my family will be walking in the JDRF walk to raise funds for Type 1 diabetes research. 
I know right now the economy sucks and extra money doesn't exactly exist. But, can you go one day this week without Starbucks? Can you not buy that e-book until next payday? (Even if it's mine?) All I'm asking for is one single dollar. Our team goal is only $500. I have almost that many Facebook friends and nearly double that followers on Twitter. So, the way I figured it is if everyone pitches in $1, meeting our goal should be no problem. What do you say? I really hope a cure is closer and this step helps.

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk-TX/Chapter-HoustonGulfCoast4644?px=1770228&pg=personal&fr_id=1484