Official Kids Mag

have an army of mission-minded supporters dedicated to finding that cure for me and those like me." To date, Makenzie and her "team" have raised just under $500,000. She has hosted fundraising events like trikeathons, online/silent auctions, and community walking and biking events. In 2019, she spoke at the nation's capitol in Washington D.C. with the Diabetic Children's Congress. "Raising money is very important because the funding we raise allows scientists to develop new technologies and hopefully soon—cures!," she explains. "Additionally, I am an advocate for newly diagnosed T1D's and their families. I meet with, support and encourage them right after diagnosis as they learn what life with T1D for them looks like." This year, Makenzie was the 2022 Mission Speaker for the American Diabetes Association's "Kiss a Pig" charity event here in Northwest Arkansas. She says that the thought of speaking in front of the Type 1 diabetes affects how your body uses glucose, a sugar that comes from the food you eat. Your pancreas, which is a long, flat gland in your belly, helps your body digest food by making insulin. Insulin helps glucose get into your cells to give you energy. But if you have diabetes, either your body can't make insulin, or the insulin doesn't work like it should. Glucose builds up in your blood, and that makes people sick. Makenzie was diagnosed with the disease when she was just eleven months old. "Life with Type 1 diabetes is the only life I know," she says. "Since diagnosis, I have had more than 800 thousand blood sugar readings. But I want kids to know that just because I may have to sit down and eat a snack does not mean that I can't do anything others can. I can do anything I set my mind to, I just manage Type 1 diabetes while doing it!" Makenzie admits that although from the outside it might look easy to manage diabetes, it isn't. "Life with type 1 diabetes means my brain has to be working in the background constantly as I go thru my day. I keep track of my insulin…give myself injections, think about when to change my pump site, charge my pump, synch my phone, change my Continuous Glucose Monitor, and ALWAYS carry snacks for highs and lows," she says. "I long to have at least one day where I can be normal," she says, "A day where I don't have to hear consistent beeping from my devices or have a voice in the back of my head saying 'CHECK YOUR NUMBER'" Makenzie says technology makes life with T1D more manageable and she's grateful for that. But her goal is a day where ALL diabetics—kids, teens and adults alike, don't have to worry about blood sugars anymore. That's why in addition to managing her own disease, Makenzie's mission is raising awareness about "life with diabetes." "For as far back as I can remember, every year my family and I dedicate time to educate, support, engage and raise funds for a cure. The cure is personal to me. And I am lucky to large audience was a little nerve-racking, "but once I was in the wings all my nervousness melted away and I think I slayed my speech. It was very encouraging to hear the room go silent, meaning their attention was on me. And everyone laughed at my jokes!" Makenzie has this advice for other kids with diabetes: "Don't let it slow you down. Don't let it be an excuse not to try as hard as you can. Also listen to your parents, if you're newly diagnosed they are just as confused and scared as you are. You both are learning to do this together! And everyone who has known this struggle for a while will be there to listen, answer questions and give advice as you find your new normal…. let your parents help and support you. They are trying to keep you healthy and safe." Makenzie says her journey with Type 1 diabetes has made her realize that "thinking like a pancreas—managing diabetes—is my superpower. And I hope you see it as yours too!!" www.officialKidsmag.com • DecemBer 2022 • 31

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