Official Kids Mag

Are you a kid hero, or do you know one? Let us know all about it! Contact krice@officialkidsmag.com McKee 062721nwr6732 https://www.mckeefoods.com/ McKee Foods Corporation LITTLE DEBBIE BAKERY STORE 604 Henri de Tonti (Hwy 412) • Tontitown, AR • 479-361-9100 limited hours, call ahead • CLOSED SATURDAYS LITTLE DEBBIE BAKERY STORE Highway 59 • Gentry, AR • 479-736-3749 CLOSED SATURDAYS 2 store LoCAtIoNs: GeNtrY & toNtItoWN Manufacturers of America's Number-One Snack Cake be the first to come and tell me, 'Kyler's being cranky. His sugar must be low." So, you're wondering, what exactly is diabetes? Normally the pancreas in our body makes a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps turn blood sugar, or glucose, into energy. But when there's not enough insulin, the body burns fat for energy and this produces a chemical called ketones. If too many ketones build up in your blood, it can be very dangerous. With T1D, you have to take insulin shots. "Kyler's come a long way since the hospital," Kim said. "He left there just pricking his finger to check his sugar and now is giving himself injections. He's gotten to the point where he can recognize the symptoms of low sugar and knows what he needs to do to correct it." Kyle can pretty much eat whatever he wants, but he has to adjust his insulin dosage based on the sugar he's eaten. "We don't just go crazy on things, but he doesn't have to miss out on treats like birthday cake and ice cream just because he has diabetes." Managing fun activities is a little more difficult because the harder he plays, the more energy he burns, causing his sugar level to drop. "We make sure he has a carb snack or a fast-acting sugar snack during times when he's active." Besides hunting, which Kyler says is his "favorite fun thing to do," he likes to fish, play basketball and baseball, throw axes and collect knives. "He is absolutely all boy," his mom said, "but he has the sweetest heart. He can't stand to see someone left out or being mistreated. He would do anything he could to help or defend his friends and people he loves. He's fiercely loyal and independent." She also pointed out that he makes a new friend every time they go somewhere. "I don't think he's ever met a stranger." Kyler, who's a fifth grader at Western Grove School, says he's learned "that there a lot of worse things than diabetes, so I'm thankful I have something my mom and dad can manage. A lot of kids aren't as lucky as me." The thing he fears most "is that if my blood sugar gets too low, I could have a seizure." Kyler likes to "hang out with my Uncle Brent. We're a lot alike, and we're pretty much best friends." His favorite superhero is Ironman, and he loves Avenger movies. He has advice for other kids with serious medical disorders. "I would tell them to never give up. It can be hard sometimes, and you might get frustrated, but you should pray about it and keep your head up. You can get through it, and you'll be so happy you didn't give up!" Left to right: Jesse Morris, Kyler Morris and Eli Morris with mom Kim. "It can be hard sometimes, and you might get frustrated ... keep your head up." ~ Kyler www.of f icialKidsMag.com • July 2021 • 43

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