When my granddaughter, Ashley, was diagnosed a type 1 diabetic in 2003 at the age of 3, we felt a range of emotions including devastation, shock, surprise, uncertainty and fear. It was like a punch out of left field. We didn't know where to turn or what to do, until a friend sent us a link to the website "Children with Diabetes" (www.childrenwithdiabetes.com) . We met and communicated with hundreds of other families who were going through the same thing we were. We reached out for help and there were many who reached back out to us. These simple acts saved us and gave us a path to follow toward the information that would allow us to take the very best care of Ashley that we could. At that time, I vowed to give back and help other families just like we were helped.
Through Children with Diabetes, we learned about insulin pumps and at the age of 4, Ashley went on an insulin pump. We searched and searched for a comfortable way for my tiny little 4-year old granddaughter to wear her pump comfortably. We wanted her to be an ordinary little girl doing ordinary little girl things without having her insulin pump in the way.
After many failed attempts, I finally designed and sewed a comfortable pump case for Ashley. At that time it dawned on me that I could 'give back' by offering my pump cases to other children. Armed with my motto of "...makes wearing an insulin pump easier for parents and more fun and comfortable for kids", I set up a company and named it 'Angel Bear Pump Stuff, Inc.' (named after Ashley's beloved stuffed Polar Bear). I was on a mission to make other kids as comfortable as I did Ashley. At this time, I vowed to grow the Angel Bear company to include forums for families to connect. With my tiny little company and limited resources I embarked on what has become my passion....using Angel Bear to help other children.
I set up this blog (a cheaper option than a forum), to help my tiny little company to reach out to other families.
I hope you find this blog a helpful tool. I will showcase products and share whatever information I can and I hope you all do the same!
Grandma Cindy
http://www.angelbearpumpstuff.com/
