I know a lot of you know that my dear friends, Josh and Jamie Terry, lost their 5 year old daughter Kycie a few years ago due to undiagnosed Type 1 Diabetes.  This week, January 30th is the anniversary of when Kycie was life flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital. To celebrate her life, I wanted to help spread the word about her, her family, and the disease that took her life so suddenly. 

The misdiagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes is on the rise. It only takes knowledge of this disease to save lives and change the world. Please help us by teaching your families about it during your next family night activity.

Here is an excerpt from a post I wrote in 2015, “The Terry family lives in my neighborhood, and I remember the day that Kycie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes like it was yesterday….that night, we found out that my knowledge on type 1 Diabetes was EXTREMELY wrong.”

Since that day, hundreds of kids have been diagnosed with T1D due to the awareness that Kycie and her parents have spread. So, to celebrate her anniversary in a proactive way, I put together a FREE family home evening packet for families anywhere.  During this FHE lesson, we learn what Type 1 Diabetes warning signs are, discuss why T1D is misdiagnosed, and help spread awareness. If we can keep spreading the word, more and more kids will be saved! 

Click Here to go to the digital version and print the FREE FHE packet! 

OUTLINE:

Opening Song: Gethsemane {click for music and words}

Opening Prayer: {assign a member of your family}

1. Introduction to Kycie Terry
2. Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes
3. Video of Type 1 Diabetes from Terry Family

Optional Activity: Test Family’s Blood Sugar Levels before and after a Family Home Evening Treat to demonstrate how  to test blood glucose levels.

Closing Song: I know that my Savior Loves me {click for music and words}

Closing Prayer: {assign a member of your family}

Introduction to Kycie Terry

Kycie Terry was your typical 5-year-old girl: happy, full of energy and absolutely adorable. But things took a turn for the worst in Jan. 2015 when Kycie started complaining of stomach pains.

She was originally diagnosed with strep throat, but just two days later, the Terry family got different news.

“We took her to the ER,” Kycie’s father Josh Terry said. “There they assumed it was (type 1 diabetes). Her blood sugar was 1148, when normal is about 100. And so they decided to life flight Kycie to Primary Children’s in Salt Lake. After they landed in Salt Lake, on the way to Primary Children’s, in the ambulance, Kycie had a seizure.”

Two days after being diagnosed, an MRI confirmed that Kycie’s brain had herniated, causing brain damage.

While Kycie had many unexpected victories, including being able to finally come home after 111 days, she was ultimately called to her heavenly home on the morning of July 11th, 2015.

Since that tragic day, Josh and Jamie Terry have been raising awareness for the disease that claimed the life of their daughter by posting the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

Janelle Taylor, the parent of a recently diagnosed type 1 diabetic, said she’s so grateful to the Terry’s for the way they’ve spread awareness.

“I really do think (my child’s diagnosis is)… because of Kycie and her story, it’s out there. It was there in my mind,” she said. {Source}

What are the warning signs for Type 1 Diabetes?

 

Video about Type 1 Diabetes featuring Kycie and her family.

Optional Activity:

How do we Test Blood Sugar Levels?

Order a blood glucose tester kit HERE for about $20, or borrow one from a family or friend who has Diabetes in their home. 

 

What are normal Blood Sugar Levels?

Less than 100 mg/dL after not eating (fasting) for at least 8 hours.

Less than 140 mg/dL 2 hours after eating.

During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals. For most people without diabetes, blood sugar levels before meals hover around 70 to 80 mg/dL. For some people, 60 is normal; for others, 90.

What’s a low sugar level? It varies widely, too. Many people’s glucose won’t ever fall below 60, even with prolonged fasting. When you diet or fast, the liver keeps your levels normal by turning fat and muscle into sugar. A few people’s levels may fall somewhat lower.

Please help us by sharing this activity with friends and family!

Check out Kisses for Kycie’s website for more information about the Terrys.