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One Mom's Challenge
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A mom of a T1D child turned teenager describes the ups and downs of their continuing journey together.
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Inspirational Poem & Words
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Being a mom - or a parent - of kids with diabetes is tough. Here are some moving reflections on the strength it takes to carry the weight diabetes.
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Mothers, Daughters and Diabetes Dynamics
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This unusual study looks at the emotional and social dynamics that occur over time and through life when a daughter has diabetes.
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List of Diabetes Blogs
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| Parents of youth with diabetes, or who even individuals have diabetes themselves benefit from sharing support with others. This comprehensive list of diabetes-related blogs from D-Mom has many places where just about anyone can find a fit and choose to connect.
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Diabetes & Latin America
|  | U.S. and Mexican researchers have uncovered genetic clues that point to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, including specifically for people of Latin American heritage. As a country, Mexico itself has alarmingly high rates of Type 2 diabetes, as well as increasing rates of T1d as well.
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Remembering Veterans with Diabetes
|  | Most folks are not aware that Type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic for U.S. veterans that, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, is taking a quiet but significant toll.
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Recipe of the Month:
Southwest Breakfast Quesadilla
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Ingredients:
1/4 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed
1/8-1/4 teaspoon salt-free southwest chipotle seasoning blend
1 whole wheat flour tortilla
2 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons refrigerated fresh pico de gallo or chopped tomato
Refrigerated fresh pico de gallo or chopped tomato (optional)
Directions:
Coat a medium nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
Preheat skillet over medium heat.
Add egg to hot skillet;sprinkle with seasoning blend.
Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until egg begins to set on the bottom and around edge.
Nutritional Facts:
Enjoy!
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Dreaming BIG: T1d Teen Waits for Adoptive Home
"I like to do the dishes, vacuum, do laundry, and everything that does not have to do with cleaning my bedroom. I have diabetes, can have a temper (sometimes I swear), I am growing my hair out, I have unique style, I like fancy shoes, I almost always am listening to music or singing, and I can sometimes be annoying. I just wish that all families could be happy..."
-Natalie, age 13
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Vibrant, active and creative young Natalie loves
 fashion, crocheting, playing guitar and "trick" bike riding. With a song on her mind, she's always crooning a tune, or sashaying to a beat. Her favorite color is blue - any shade will do! Inquisitive and conversational, she has that just-right-sense of humor that makes her fun and easy to talk to, even if you're a grown-up. Natalie has been described as a tomboy-fashionista with many different interests. With her surprisingly generous adolescent heart, Natalie dreams of becoming a kindergarten teacher for children with special needs...someday. Unfortunately, at age 13, Natalie has already come to a large impasse, impeding her path to her dreams. Natalie is a child in foster care, in need of an adoptive home. Her Type 1 diabetes, already a challenge to herself, can sound intimidating for any adoptive families who might otherwise consider welcoming her into their lives. May is National Foster Care Month
Over 100,000 children living in foster care will be unable to reunite with relatives. Like Natalie, these "waiting children"
tend to be older with individualized needs. They need a family prepared to help them heal, and move forward.
Natalie's road in life has been filled with hardships. Even she compares herself matter-of-factly to the character Percy from "The Lightening Thief". She proclaims that she, too, has had to weather many battles, but has somehow managed to hang in there. Natalie has experienced significant loss and trauma, along with the many moves that seem inevitable for a child in foster care.
 Amazingly, Natalie has retained her smile, and her optimism. She enjoys school, especially math, reading and writing. She feels she is good at math, in part because of all the calculating she does in regulating her blood sugar! Energetic and active, Natalie would relish more chances to go swimming (she adores the beauty of the underwater world), or to try new sports like gymnastics, or football. An adventurous spirit, Natalie can't wait to see more of the world. But its hard to get very far without a permanent family to support your dreams ...
Could It Be You?
Parenting Natalie will come with ups and downs. It will take her awhile to truly trust and be confident that someone is willing to be there for her, for always. Her Type 1 diabetes also requires considerable effort and awareness - a source of frustration for both herself and her caregivers. On the other hand, her ability to manage this aspect of her life has taught her so much about her own resilience and survival.
Natalie is aware that she is long overdue to be living her life with a loving, dedicated family. We feel strongly there must be someone out there who will believe in her; who can already envision her potential; and who is not afraid of t1d.
Learn more about Natalie & Adoption
In order to truly consider adopting Natalie, a family will need to get an adoption homestudy completed, become certified for foster care and demonstrate an unwavering commitment. Families with a strong foundation, well-honed parenting skills, and serious interest only are welcome to contact Marci Siegel-Kittrell at Boys & Girls Aid
or 503.542.2334.
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As Camp Director, Foundation Director and essentially all-things-CDF, Joey is Super Mom!
 Not only is she a terrific mother to her three fine sons, Taylor,20, Brody,19, Cota,15, but she also becomes Mom-away-from-home for everyone at Camp every summer. Thank you Joey for all that you do both at Camp, and all year round. May you have a wonderful and memorable Mother's Day!
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Happy Mother's Day!
Chris Dudley and
Chris Dudley Foundation
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