Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are vastly different: Type 1 diabetes is an auto immune reaction that destroys the beta cells in the pancreas, creating an insulin-dependant condition, where Type 2 Diabetes is an insulin resistant condition in which the pancreas still produces insulin but the body is resistant to it. A diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes usually happens in those under 20 years of age, hence the term “Juvenile Diabetes” but it is possible to have an onset of this condition at any age. Type 1 Diabetes is not preventable and is not the result of any lifestyle circumstances such as being overweight, out of shape or eating too much sugar. It is not possible to “grow out” of Type 1 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled or avoided with diet and exercise.

Since it is an insulin-dependant condition, people with type 1 diabetes must have insulin, either through injections or an insulin pump to stay alive. They must monitor their blood glucose (sugar) levels with a finger prick test many times throughout the day, and accurately count the carbohydrates they consume to properly dose the insulin needed to metabolize them, as well as keeping track of their various activity levels during the week.

The symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes are:
Increased thirst and frequent urination. As excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream, fluid is pulled from body tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual.
Extreme hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted of energy. This triggers intense hunger that may persist even after you eat. Without insulin, the sugar in your food never reaches your energy-starved tissues.
Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight — sometimes rapidly. Without the energy sugar supplies, your muscle tissues and fat stores may simply shrink.
Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
Flu-like symptoms. As ketones build up in your blood stream, vomiting may occur.

My son, AJ Schwarz is one of the local kids with type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed four years ago at age 11 and is a patient at the Barbara Davis Center for Juvenile Diabetes at Children’s Hospital. He is now a sophomore at Estes Park High School who is active in band, swimming and snowboarding.

AJ is on an insulin pump and monitors his blood sugar levels six to eight times a day. He is also sensitive to insulin and prone to insulin reaction seizures. AJ knows that activity is crucial to maintaining good blood sugar levels…the more sugar you burn off with activity, the less insulin you need. Although he has become an expert in carbohydrate counting and setting basal rates in his insulin pump, he struggles daily to have good blood glucose levels. He is very fortunate to be able to take weighlifting with Mr. McCown first period both semesters this year. It has made a noticeable impact on his blood glucose levels.

AJ recently started his first job at Orlando’s Steak House as a dishwasher with Chef Tandy Brown giving him a little sous chef training as well. For AJ, it is the perfect scenario with his blood glucose meter close by as well as food readily available if necessary. For Tandy, it means making sure AJ tests his blood sugar at least once during a shift and keeping an eye out for symptoms of low blood sugar levels. Just in case, there is a tube of glucose gel within reach. It’s great for AJ to have some independance, since his condition requires quite a bit of parental assistance, and also wonderful for us to know that he is in good hands with Tandy.

AJ just returned from the marching band finals in Grand Junction. After a few low blood glucose incidents before the regional competitions, I accompanied the band as a chaperone to help AJ manage his blood glucose levels on the trip. Band director Chuck Varilek is very aware of the health conditions of his band students, including the Type 1 kids and makes every effort to accommodate them. Sometimes, Type 1 does get in the way a bit…the band kids had a late lunch at the Golden Corral buffet. Trying to accurately dose for carbohydrate consumption is difficult in that situation, so AJ and I opted for another nearby establishment with portions instead.

The challenge for type 1 kids is to maintain good blood glucose levels while going to school and doing the things they love to do. Since insulin is a growth hormone, many things can interfere such as a growth spurt, puberty, adrenaline from taking a test or running a race…it’s not easy to think like a pancreas!

For more info on Type 1 Diabetes, visit http://www.jdrf.org, there’s great information about symptoms, research, volunteer opportunities and life with type 1 diabetes for patients and families.

Tandy Brown and AJ Schwarz

Saturday was the 22nd annual Ducky Derby in Estes Park, sponsored by our local Rotary Club. There were over 5000 tickets sold at $20.00 each with $19.00 of each ticket going to a charitable non-profit local organization. One of the beneficiaries was the Estes Valley Workforce Downpayment Assistance Program, sponsored by the Estes Park Board of REALTORS and the Estes Valley Housing Authority.

In spite of the cold weather, there was a good turnout at the finish line to see whose duck won! It’s lots of fun for everyone all along the way, from Nicky’s on Fall River where the ducks are dropped in the river, to the Wheel Bar at the finish line. Now, to check the big board to see what my ducks won…

Ducks race down Fall River for local charities

We woke up to a foot of snow this morning with more on the way. Maybe LOTS more. My poor snow shovel just can’t take it anymore. It thought that spring was here and it was vacation time, but NOOOOOOOOO!

That's it. I quit.

The dates and locations for “Savor Estes Park” were just released…this was a really fun event that premiered last March. Here’s how it works…local restaurants offer small portions of specialties and cocktails to go with them for $3.00 per person per location. It’s kinda like a restaurant crawl and feels like a locals block party! It happens during the time of the year when we’ve seen a lot of snow and cold weather and could use a little cabin fever relief. Last year was a blast, and I can’t wait for “Savor Estes Park” this year!  Click here for all the event details..

Savor Estes Park

The First Annual Winter Festival in Estes Park was a lot of fun, and had unusually mild (50′s) weather. The organizers had some cool events, like the Chili Cook Off, and a scavenger hunt that sent participants to shops on Elkhorn Avenue for clues…and maybe a little shopping, too!

Best of Show in the Chili Cook-Off went to my friend, Barney Treadway…he’s a great Estes Park character…a computer tech guy who designs websites, is a oenophile and an excellent cook! (We won’t mention his fashion sense…)

Barney Treadway wins Best of Show in Estes Park Chili Cook Off!

On Sunday, January 31, Village Pizza will host a fundraising event for the new Estes Valley Workforce Downpayment Assistance Program. All you need to do to help is to enjoy lunch or dinner at Village Pizza…and Village Pizza proprietors John and Chris Cozad will donate a portion of their proceeds from Sunday, January 31, to the Downpayment Assistance Program. “This may be the easiest fundraiser ever,” comments Lisa VonBargen, President of the Estes Park Board of REALTORS, “all you have to do is come to Village Pizza for their fantastic pizza, salads or sandwiches, and the downpayment assistance program will reap the rewards!”  

The Estes Valley Workforce Downpayment Assistance Program has been created by the Estes Park Board of REALTORS and the Estes Park Housing Authority with the goal of enabling those who work here in town to be able to attain home ownership, build equity and continue to contribute to the community of Estes Park, Colorado. Applications will be ready soon, for information on necessary qualifications and program guidelines, contact Rita Kurelja at the Estes Park Housing Authority office. Estes Park Board of REALTORS 2010 President, Lisa VonBargen comments, “it is a unique opportunity for our first time homebuyers right now; the $8,000.00 tax credit, and market conditions that have given these buyers a greater selection of homes.”

My 5th grade son, Chase, came home last week with an assignment to create a poster relating to issues that Martin Luther King, Jr. promoted, such as peace and equality. They had a march through the elementary school hallways on Friday with their posters…it was the sweetest thing to watch little kids cheering for peace and equality. (I was just happy to have an art project to do in photoshop…Chase was my art director) Here’s what we came up with for our poster…

The Estes Park Board of REALTORS invited Mike Connolly, President of the “Angels Above Foundation” to speak at our meeting last Thursday. Mike gave a presentation regarding the Estes Park Memorial Observatory that was recently completed. The Observatory is located near the bike path adjacent to the Estes Park High School and provides opportunities for students as well as residents to view the stars and planets at 7522 feet above sea level and in a much darker night time environment than a larger metropolitan area. Click here to view the Estes Park Memorial Observatory website… The observatory is just another reason why Estes Park is a great place to live!

Angels Above Foundation operates the Estes Park Memorial Observatory

I was up early this morning in search of some pre-dawn light for some Long’s Peak photos when I came across this big guy at Lily Lake. He walked right past me in search of something tasty for breakfast…he didn’t mind me pointing a camera at him one bit. That’s one of my favorite things about living in Estes Park…being able to see wildlife like this coyote on a daily basis!

Estes Park Coyote at Lily Lake

I ran across an interesting blog in Twitter this morning. Terry White, who is an instructor for the Adobe Creative Suite, was discussing home printers. He posed the question as to how many people used their printer as much as they used to…primarily relating to printing photos. 31% of the respondants said they use their printer all the time, 29% said their use is decreasing and 31% said they hardly ever use their printers anymore! The way we share data has changed so much over the last decade…we now post photos online more frequently than we print them out. Terry also mentioned an article in the Huffington Post that listed 12 items whose uses have become essentially obsolete in the past decade. Among the items were: Land line phones, fax machines and classified print advertising! If you would have told Realtors in 2000 that those items would be obsolete, you would have left them wondering exactly how they would be conducting business…Now we have MLS systems that you can access from a cell phone, Doc-U-Sign for digital contracts and signatures, it will be interesting to see what technology the next decade brings…click here to view the Huffington Post article!