Lehigh County mom wins Pa. resolution on Type 1 diabetes

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Lehigh County mother went to Harrisburg today to push for more awareness of type 1 diabetes.

And she came home with a victory.

Debbie Healy's drive began after she almost lost her 17-year-old son Michael.

She didn't know he had diabetes, just that he looked very sick.

So she took him to the hospital.

"At that point, it was determined his blood glucose level was 600. A typical blood glucose reading is between 80 and 100. That glucose meter only measures up to 600," says Healy, recalling the frightening day.

Michael is now okay, and getting care for his diabetes.

But other kids around the country have died from unrecognized diabetes.

So Healy worked with State Representative Ryan McKenzie to sponsor a resolution encouraging health care providers to talk to parents about type 1 diabetes.

The resolution passed easily this afternoon.

Healy says symptoms like excessive thirst, fatigue, sudden weight loss, and frequent urination can be confused with strep, reflux, and the flu.

Type 1 is an auto-immune disease, not caused by anything a person eats or drinks. Type 2 does have links to a person's diet and lifestyle.