The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can be subtle and include thirst, urination and fatigue. A diagnosis can be devastating, but a West Bloomfield teenager is demonstrating how life goes on.
"I always make sure that I do what I want to do and then after comes the diabetes," said Randi Traison. "I've traveled the word without my parents. I've played sports since I was little."
The 14-year-old is determined type 1 diabetes won't get in her way, but life wasn't always so certain.
"I cried for weeks," said mother Janice Traison.
With her little girl diagnosed at the age of four, she was terrified.
"My fear was she wasn't going to grow up and the overwhelming sense of responsibility. Having a kid with type 1 diabetes is constant, especially when they're little."
Every year, 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It is an auto immune disease in which the body destroys the insulin making cells in the pancreas. When there is no insulin, the glucose, or sugar, stays in the blood steam causing serious health problems.
Randi wears a small pink pump that delivers insulin and does the job of her pancreas. Avoiding shots is real progress in the world of type 1 diabetes, but this family is working for a cure.
Since 2004, the Traison's have
raised about $80,000 for JDRF. That money is paying for valuable research into not just a cure, but an artificial pancreas.
"God willing there will be a cure. It's an auto immune disease, so the body tends to just reject itself... all over again, but an artificial pancreas would make me sleep at night," Janice Traison said.
On Sunday, the Traisons will be out in full force at the Warren Tech Center at the Walk to Cure Diabetes. There is also a walk near Ann Arbor. Click here for details on both.
Tuesday, December 4 2012 4:11 PM EST2012-12-04 21:11:01 GMT
You have one heart attack and then take medication to prevent another one, but there's new research that says what you eat is a very powerful tool in preventing another heart attack.
You have one heart attack and then take medication to prevent another one, but there's new research that says what you eat is a very powerful tool in preventing another heart attack.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-07 14:17:04 GMT
Making healthy choices at the grocery store can be difficult. With deceiving labels, and buzz words like 'organic,' 'all-natural' and 'heart-healthy,' it's tough to decide what to buy.
Making healthy choices at the grocery store can be difficult. With deceiving labels, and buzz words like 'organic,' 'all-natural' and 'heart-healthy,' it's tough to decide what to buy.
Friday, May 3 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-05-03 21:27:05 GMT
She is the Flat Rock girl that has gained national attention for her battle with a rare, fatal disease. Now little Lindsay Ratcliffe has been given new hair and new hope.
She is the Flat Rock girl that has gained national attention for her battle with a rare, fatal disease. Now little Lindsay Ratcliffe has been given new hair and new hope.
Tuesday, April 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-04-23 16:55:57 GMT
Living with autism is a challenge that as many as one in fifty families face everyday. One family says intensive therapy has not just helped their daughter, but changed their lives.
Living with autism is a challenge that as many as one in fifty families face everyday. One family says intensive therapy has not just helped their daughter, but changed their lives.
Wednesday, April 17 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-04-17 12:10:45 GMT
An FBI-trained forensic artist worked with Dove to conduct social experiment to illustrate the ongoing struggle women have with recognizing their own beauty.
An FBI-trained forensic artist worked with Dove to conduct social experiment to illustrate the ongoing struggle women have with recognizing their own beauty.
Monday, April 15 2013 8:14 PM EDT2013-04-16 00:14:46 GMT
For some people, sugar is like a drug and kicking the sweet habit is hard. Desserts like cakes, cookies and ice cream can be irresistible because of the effect sugar has on the brain. "Sugar is a particularly
For some people, sugar is like a drug and kicking the sweet habit is hard. Desserts like cakes, cookies and ice cream can be irresistible because of the effect sugar has on the brain. "Sugar is a particularly
Monday, April 1 2013 8:14 AM EDT2013-04-01 12:14:05 GMT
Next week the American Heart Association celebrates National Walking Day. This means bring your sneakers to work on April 3 and plan to walk for 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
Next week the American Heart Association celebrates National Walking Day. This means bring your sneakers to work on April 3 and plan to walk for 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:46:26 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Randi Traison (Credit: MyFox Detroit)
