Wyandotte Girl Fights Diabetes One Step at a Time

Last July, Morgan Robinson Wells was excited to be away at horseback riding camp when she received a phone call from her mother that would change her life.

Morgan’s mother Sarah Wells had received a call from her doctor that there was a problem with Morgan’s blood sugar test and she needed to go to Children’s Hospital of Michigan immediately.

Morgan, who was eight years old at the time, was diagnosed with juvenile Type 1 diabetes, which means she will be insulin dependent forever.

“I felt horrible,” Sarah said. “Not only did I want to send her to camp, but she also got diabetes.”

Morgan and Sarah spent the next few days at Children’s Hospital going through a crash course on diabetes and how to manage it. They met with an endocrinologist, nutritionist and a diabetes educator.

“I had heard of diabetes, but didn’t really know what it was,” Sarah said. “Morgan was the first person in our family to have it.”

Morgan started receiving insulin shots right away. She had to learn to poke her finger six to eight times a day to test her blood sugar levels and take up to five shots of insulin a day.

Looking back, Sarah said she had noticed some of the symptoms of the disease in her daughter, but never suspected diabetes. She said other parents should watch for the symptoms including sudden weight loss, frequent urination, constant thirst, red circles under eyes and breath that has an acetone smell to it.

Sarah said parents facing a diabetes diagnosis for their children need to take one day at a time and get support.

“It begins with one step,” Sarah said.

Staff at had to be educated to give Morgan insulin shots and how to react in an emergency.

Morgan travels with a pack at all times that includes a meter to test her blood, a glucagon emergency kit and a back-up insulin shot.

While some children would be overwhelmed by the diagnosis, Morgan has not.

“She’s been doing really well,” Sarah said. “She won’t let it get her down. We’re not going to use it as a crutch.”

Sarah said as a mother, the hardest part of Morgan having diabetes has been her lack of sleep from checking on her daughter throughout the night.

“I pray that she is awake every morning,” Sarah said.

Sarah also worries about Morgan going through puberty because her body will change all over again. Morgan is currently in a “honeymoon” phase of diabetes because her pancreas is still using some insulin.

In February of this year, Morgan received an insulin pump, which frees her from having to receive shots daily. She must change the pump site every three to four days and take the pump off to shower and swim. They have been paying close attention to the insulin this summer, which can spoil in the heat.

“It has become part of our lives,” Sarah said. “We are very routine and pay attention to carbohydrates and calories. We have to be conscientious.”

This summer, Morgan had the opportunity to attend Camp Midicha in Fenton that hosts campers with diabetes. Children ages seven to eighteen attended the camp.

“I felt really good there,” Morgan said. “I looked around the whole place and I wasn’t the only one (with diabetes).”

Morgan hopes to become a counselor in training at Camp Midicha when she is older.

The Wells family also attended the Friends for Life International Children with Diabetes Conference in Orlando, FL, in July. Morgan’s grandmother, Judy Wells of Kalamazoo, traveled with them and attended grandparent boot camp.

Eleven years ago, 50 families attended the conference. This year, 500 families attended. Sarah said the family had an amazing time.

“It had great energy,” Sarah said. “It was just awesome. We hope to go every year and support research and support each other. ”

The conference included celebrities living with Type 1 diabetes, including Crystal Bowersox and Kendall Simmons.

Morgan’s favorite part of the conference was meeting Jackson, a dog who has diabetes. Morgan watched while Jackson had his blood sugar tested and was able to give him a glucose tablet.

In September, Morgan will be an ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes. The walk takes place Sept. 25 at the General Motors Teach Center in Warren. Morgan hopes to raise $100 herself. Her team, Diabetes Destroyers has a fundraising goal of $1000.

Both Morgan and Sarah hope and pray for a cure for diabetes. 

“My hope is that she stays positive and takes good care of herself,” Sarah said. “Morgan can do whatever she wants.”

Morgan has always been physically active and continues to attend Zumba and kickboxing classes with her mother. In the fall, she will serve as a crossing guard at Washington Elementary School where she will be a fifth-grader. She is also planning on taking up violin.

Morgan hopes to be involved with educating children with diabetes when she grows up.

“She is a brave girl,” Sarah said. “Braver than me.”

To donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes, visit Morgan’s personal page, or visit her team page for Diabetes Destroyers.