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| April 23, 2008
DAVID WALLACE C & G Staff Writer |
| But to do those things, Kramer, 12, has to manage his Type 1 diabetes. That's a lot to go through every day, so Kramer and his family work to raise awareness of the disease. They also work to raise money that might one day result in a cure. To that end, Kramer has a bicycle team, Team Tyler, that will participate in the American Diabetes Association's Tour De Cure June 8. Team Tyler hopes to raise $20,000 for the association this year. Kramer and his family - West Bloomfield residents - participated in the Tour de Cure each of the past two years, since Kramer's diagnosis. Last year, they formed a team and became one of the top fundraisers. This year, Kramer is one of two Youth Ambassadors for the Tour de Cure. "I'm kind of a spokesperson and talk to people about diabetes and how it's handled," he said. What does he tell other kids as a youth ambassador? "It's not that bad to have diabetes," said Kramer. "The reason we became so active in Tour de Cure and other fundraising events is because when Tyler was diagnosed, we didn't want him to feel like he was different, that, like, he had a disability," said Kramer's dad, Evan. "So, we want to participate in as many things to raise awareness and to make him feel confident that he can do things that kids without diabetes can do," said Evan. "And he has. It really hasn't stopped him from doing anything. He probably does more than the average kid, actually," said Tyler's mom, Peri. Tyler plays travel soccer and joined the track team at Clifford Smart Middle School in Commerce Township. But compensating for his insulin deficiency means a lot of work on Tyler's part. He wears an insulin pump, programmed to account for his age and his current production of insulin, to give him a constant insulin drip. "In addition to that, you have to compensate for what you eat by giving yourself a bolus - it's an additional amount of insulin," explained Evan. With the pump, Tyler has a handheld wireless device that gives him data and to which he inputs data. He demonstrated that he would input the amount of carbohydrates he was about to eat, and the machine would tell him how many units of insulin he would receive. Then he would enter that amount and the pump would supply him. "I can kind of feel the insulin going through the tube," said Tyler. "The key is for his blood sugar to remain stable all day long, but different things cause it to go high and low," said Peri. "He has to test his blood not only before each meal, but sometimes if you're not within your range. So it could be seven, eight times a day that you're testing your blood and correcting the amount of insulin," said Evan. "And it's also very important to understand the signs of how you feel, because that could indicate either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia." Tyler's friends and their families also know the signs. Many of them participate as members of Team Tyler, which as of April 14 had 42 members. "We're just hoping to create awareness and raise money to find a cure, because this is a lot to deal with," said Peri. One of those participating is Tyler's English teacher at Smart, Louise Schneberger. "I had seen him a couple of times earlier this year where his blood sugar wasn't quite right. He had to go home. And I just, you know, I love Tyler. He's the greatest kid. He's always nice to other kids. He's always doing his homework. He's always got something to say. For the most part, he pays attention," said Schneberger, as she laughed. Schneberger signed up to complete the longest Tour de Cure Route - 70 miles. "Because he gives his all here in the classroom and pretty much to his life � I'm just going to go the whole way - give my all on the bike. I'm just going to do it," said Schneberger. Tyler's family rode 15 miles last year and might do 25 this year. "This year, I think, I'm kind of the leader, so when I go, everyone else follows me. And then, I have to have a speech about it at the end, and everyone on our team has a bright yellow T-shirt, so they stand out," said Tyler. Team Tyler has a bowling fundraiser at Wonderland Lanes - 8265 Richardson Road in Commerce - 1-4 p.m. April 27. The cost is $25 at the door, and participants get three games, shoes, pizza, pop and a silent auction. Those interested in Team Tyler and possibly donating or registering for the ride can visit Tyler's Web site at http://main.diabetes.org/goto/tylerkramer. They can also call (248) 366-1125. |
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