Medic alert dog helps diabetic teen enjoy active life
By Karen Ott Mayer
Special to The Commercial Appeal
Monday, November 26, 2007
It would seem that 15-year-old Grace Hanks is just a young girl and her dog, Garbo, is just a young black lab, but together they symbolize a lifeline.Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 8, Grace has spent her youth learning how to manage the disease and struggling to maintain her blood sugar level.
Despite all best efforts, her family has faced more than one emergency trip to the hospital, and until last month, worried about Grace during the night or when she was alone.
"Grace is a brittle diabetic, which means it's extremely difficult to maintain her blood sugar," said her mother Lori Hanks. " At one point, she was giving herself 12 insulin shots per day." As an adolescent, Grace's blood sugar is further influenced by growth hormones, puberty, stress and even a common cold virus.
Not only did Grace face physical challenges after her diagnosis, but emotional ones as well. "I thought maybe I couldn't do all the things I used to do," she said.
Then came Garbo.
Early on, the Hanks family, who live in Collierville, joined the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in search of support and information. They read about service dogs that work as medic alert dogs monitoring blood sugar levels, seizures and even migraines. "These dogs can cost up to $40,000," said Grace's dad, Jody.
At the annual JDRF gala last spring events occurred that would lead them to Garbo. "They were auctioning service dogs in the auction," said Lori. The nonprofit group called Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services (CARES) of Kansas auctioned "a dog," meaning a family purchased a dog they would meet in the future, since pairings are extremely specific.
The Hanks family got a dog for about $3,700.
The training process for dogs like Garbo begins at 6 weeks, when a puppy joins a foster family. Then, the dog spends time with an inmate in the El Dorado, Kan., prison system to learn basic obedience skills.
The purchasing family completes a detailed questionnaire that profiles interests, activities and lifestyle. "The agency really tries to match the dog to the owner's personality," said Lori.
The dogs are taught scent discrimination skills, which build on their natural ability. "Dogs have 400 times the scent ability of humans," said Lori.
Lori and Grace traveled to Kansas in October, where they spent a week with CARES and finally, met Garbo, the willowy and friendly lab that would be Grace's companion and more.
"They brought Garbo into the room and said, 'Garbo, meet Grace,' and she ran to Grace. They bonded immediately," said Lori.
Everyone has a unique scent, and Grace's scent changes when her blood sugar changes. The dog detects that change and alerts its owner.
The process for Grace and Garbo is simple. Each time Grace checks her blood sugar, she holds out her hand and asks Garbo sniff her hand. "If my blood sugar is fine, I just pat her and say something nice. If my blood sugar is out of range, then I give her a treat," Grace said. Only Grace is allowed to reward Garbo.
The two go everywhere together, including Grace's school, Rossville Christian Acadamy.
"Everyone at school loves her. I know if she detects something wrong at school, because she'll lay down most of the time, but if she keeps getting up or is persistent, I know to check my blood sugar," Grace said.
Since joining the family, Garbo has proven her worth. One night, Garbo woke Grace up. "She wouldn't leave me alone and stood over me, licking my face. Finally, I said OK and checked my sugar. It was actually really low."
Lori says Garbo has brought a sense of peace to her nights. "In August (before they had the dog), Grace awoke and was seriously sick. She had to sit and scoot down the staircase to wake us. We immediately went to the hospital. If she hadn't woken up that night, she could have easily died. With Garbo, I feel safe going to bed at night," Lori said.
The family now foeels they have real protection as Grace ventures into the world alone. "I want Garbo with her when she drives, or as she goes to college. If we're with her, we may leave Garbo at home. It's just those times when Grace is alone that is so crucial to have Garbo." Jody said.
He says that it's important for families who find themselves with a diabetic child to reach out to other families. "Try not to face it alone. We learn something every day from someone who may have more experience than us or we may be able to share our experience with someone whose child has just been diagnosed."
And Lori wants other diabetics to know that dogs like Garbo are available.
"They may not realize that these dogs are affordable and that they really can help diabetics."
Grace Hanks got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 8. Grace spent half of her young life learning how to manage the disease and struggling to maintain her blood sugar level. Early on, the Hanks family decided to joined the Juveile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in search of support information. They read about service dogs that work as medic alert dogs, which help in monitoring blood sugar level, with seizures and even migraines. These dogs can cost up to $40,000. At the annual JDRF gala which took place last spring, a chain of events started that lead the Hanks family to Garbo. There was an auctioning services for dogs, and at that time the Hanks family got a dog for about $3,700. Of course, there was to be some training for the dog to learn basic obedience skills. The process for Grace and Garbo is simple. Everytime Grace checks her blood sugar, she holds her hand out and asks Garbo to sniff her hand. If Grace's blood sugar is fine, she just pats her and says something nice. If her blood sugar is out of range, then she gives a treat. But only Grace is allowed to give the treat to Garbo. Now Grace and Garbo go everywhere together, including Grace's school, Rossville Christian Acadamy.
Grace went through a very difficult time with the diabetes, especially when she was only 8. Grace is a very strong girl; if this were happen to me, I would give up quickly. Grace must be very happy now that she has Garbo next to her all the time. I love dogs, but I did not know that dogs can sense diabetes; that's very awesome. I hope she's always happy because Garbo is always next to her.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
http://media.www.mtsusidelines.com/media/storage/paper202/news/2007/09/27/News/Attempted.Murder.In.Dorm-2994716.shtml
Attempted murder in dorm
Student attacked, beaten in Cummings Hall; alleged attacker in police custody
Andy Harper
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News
An MTSU freshman remains stable in critical condition after being allegedly attacked by another student in Cummings Hall dormitory Tuesday night.Ashley Manis, freshman undeclared and resident of Cummings Hall, was discovered in room 420 of Cummings a little before midnight, said Buddy Peaster, chief of the MTSU police department.Kevin Sisco, freshman aerospace major and resident of room 420, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. He was booked at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday.Both students are 18 years old; Ashley is from Cordova, Tenn. and Sisco is from Murfreesboro.Manis sustained extreme head-trauma and numerous internal injuries including several broken bones, Peaster said. When EMS paramedics responded, Manis was immediately transported to Middle Tennessee Medical Center and later taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt hospital. "The weapon is unknown," Peaster said. "Murfreesboro City Police will sort through the evidence gathered in the room." Peaster said there is always a possibility of multiple weapons used, but because of the injuries sustained by Manis, the weapon is not "traditional." He did confirm the use of a blunt object in the attack.+Sisco's court date is Nov. 27 and his bail is set at $300,000. He has not posted bail and currently remains in custody at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention.While the relationship between the Sisco and Manis is unknown, there is a previous situation in which both were issued citations, Peaster said.On Sept. 9, Manis and Sisco were in room 420 when campus police were called to investigate the possible presence of alcohol and a head injury.Sisco had sustained minor scrapes to his head, Peaster said. When police arrived, they found alcohol, a knife and a pair of brass knuckles. Manis was charged with underage consumption and Sisco was charged with underage consumption and possession of weapons on campus. Both were issued citations.The campus was alerted Wednesday morning via e-mail and administration held a meeting with the residents and staff of Cummings Hall in the afternoon.
"We really wanted to give you [the students] an opportunity to hear what we know," Peaster said at the Cummings Hall meeting. "We want to answer your questions the best we can and make you apart of the on-going investigation."In addition to Peaster, Tom Tozer, director of News and Public Affairs, Sarah Sudak, executive director of Housing and Residential Life, and Bob Glenn, vice president for Student Affairs and vice provost for Enrollment Management, were present. Peaster, with the support of the other campus administrators, briefed the residents of the hall on the situation and gave students an opportunity to ask questions.Some of the student questions included issues of safety and policies for visitors."We just want everyone to know that the policies for the dorm will not be changed," Sudak said. "We will continue the same visiting hours and check-in system as before."Sudak reminded all students that for the safety measures to be effective, they would need to abide by the standing policies and cooperate with the dormitory staff.Peaster concluded the question and answer session by asking for any students with knowledge of either Manis or Sisco and students who might be witnesses to come and speak with the campus police.
This article is about attempted murder in dorm. This incident is happened at MTSU, Ashley Manis a freshman remain unstable in critical condition after the attack happened at Cummings Hall dormitory. Kevin Sisco , freshman aerospace major was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. Manis was found with numerous internal injuries including several broken bones. The weapon is unknown, police is gathering all sort of evidence in the room. There's always a possible that there're many different weapons are involved in this incident. The court dat for Sisco's Nov.27, and it would cost $300,000 to bail him out. Sisco's now remains in custody at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention.
I was shock when I hear my sister told my about what happen to Ashley Manis. I don't really know her that well, but we used to go to Ridgeway High together. The only thing that I know about her is her appearance. Beside that I don't know anything about her. Well whatever happen I hope she gets better and be cautious with making friend in the future.
Student attacked, beaten in Cummings Hall; alleged attacker in police custody
Andy Harper
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News
An MTSU freshman remains stable in critical condition after being allegedly attacked by another student in Cummings Hall dormitory Tuesday night.Ashley Manis, freshman undeclared and resident of Cummings Hall, was discovered in room 420 of Cummings a little before midnight, said Buddy Peaster, chief of the MTSU police department.Kevin Sisco, freshman aerospace major and resident of room 420, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. He was booked at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday.Both students are 18 years old; Ashley is from Cordova, Tenn. and Sisco is from Murfreesboro.Manis sustained extreme head-trauma and numerous internal injuries including several broken bones, Peaster said. When EMS paramedics responded, Manis was immediately transported to Middle Tennessee Medical Center and later taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt hospital. "The weapon is unknown," Peaster said. "Murfreesboro City Police will sort through the evidence gathered in the room." Peaster said there is always a possibility of multiple weapons used, but because of the injuries sustained by Manis, the weapon is not "traditional." He did confirm the use of a blunt object in the attack.+Sisco's court date is Nov. 27 and his bail is set at $300,000. He has not posted bail and currently remains in custody at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention.While the relationship between the Sisco and Manis is unknown, there is a previous situation in which both were issued citations, Peaster said.On Sept. 9, Manis and Sisco were in room 420 when campus police were called to investigate the possible presence of alcohol and a head injury.Sisco had sustained minor scrapes to his head, Peaster said. When police arrived, they found alcohol, a knife and a pair of brass knuckles. Manis was charged with underage consumption and Sisco was charged with underage consumption and possession of weapons on campus. Both were issued citations.The campus was alerted Wednesday morning via e-mail and administration held a meeting with the residents and staff of Cummings Hall in the afternoon.
"We really wanted to give you [the students] an opportunity to hear what we know," Peaster said at the Cummings Hall meeting. "We want to answer your questions the best we can and make you apart of the on-going investigation."In addition to Peaster, Tom Tozer, director of News and Public Affairs, Sarah Sudak, executive director of Housing and Residential Life, and Bob Glenn, vice president for Student Affairs and vice provost for Enrollment Management, were present. Peaster, with the support of the other campus administrators, briefed the residents of the hall on the situation and gave students an opportunity to ask questions.Some of the student questions included issues of safety and policies for visitors."We just want everyone to know that the policies for the dorm will not be changed," Sudak said. "We will continue the same visiting hours and check-in system as before."Sudak reminded all students that for the safety measures to be effective, they would need to abide by the standing policies and cooperate with the dormitory staff.Peaster concluded the question and answer session by asking for any students with knowledge of either Manis or Sisco and students who might be witnesses to come and speak with the campus police.
This article is about attempted murder in dorm. This incident is happened at MTSU, Ashley Manis a freshman remain unstable in critical condition after the attack happened at Cummings Hall dormitory. Kevin Sisco , freshman aerospace major was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. Manis was found with numerous internal injuries including several broken bones. The weapon is unknown, police is gathering all sort of evidence in the room. There's always a possible that there're many different weapons are involved in this incident. The court dat for Sisco's Nov.27, and it would cost $300,000 to bail him out. Sisco's now remains in custody at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention.
I was shock when I hear my sister told my about what happen to Ashley Manis. I don't really know her that well, but we used to go to Ridgeway High together. The only thing that I know about her is her appearance. Beside that I don't know anything about her. Well whatever happen I hope she gets better and be cautious with making friend in the future.
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