Hello, my name is Porter Dunn. I am 7 years old and live in Brandon with my 2 younger brothers; Blake (6) and Lawson (4). My mom and dad are Cindie and Bruce Dunn. We have a dog named Hudson, who is my best friend!

I am a grade 2 student at Earl Oxford Middle School, where I enjoy spending time with my friends. I love to swim; I've been in swimming lessons at the YMCA since I was 2 months old! I enjoy Karate, which I've been taking for 1 year and just earned my black stripe belt. This year my brothers and I played hockey for the first time on the Alexander team, which was really fun.

On June 2, 2010, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. I had to spend a few days in the hospital and then a few more days in Winnipeg so my parents could learn about the disease and what they would have to do to take care of me. I didn't feel very good and I only weighed 39 lbs when my parents took me to the hospital, but now that I get insulin injections everyday I have gained nearly 15 lbs this year.

Juvenile Diabetes is an autoimmune disease which affects the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, my body cannot absorb sugar from my blood to my cells in order to produce energy, essentially starving my body. Without insulin the sugar stays in the blood making the blood thicker like syrup. This high blood sugar results in lack of concentration, moodiness, fatigue and increases my risk of diabetic complications like going blind, heart disease and leg/foot amputation due to infection. Since my body doesn't make insulin any more, I have to take it by injection.

Each day I get 4-5 needles of insulin. I have to poke my finger to test my blood sugar 4-6 times each day. After I was diagnosed, I kept hoping the needles would stop, so every day I asked my mom if I had to have a needle the next day, and her answer was always YES. I have gotten used to the routine now and understand that I will need insulin for the rest of my life. The needles don't hurt that much anymore, but I still don't like them!

I have to eat at the same times each day and my mom and dad have to count the carbohydrates in everything I eat. They send a set amount of carbs for lunch and snacks with me everyday to school to try and keep my sugar levels in a normal range. Exercise also helps lower my blood sugar, so each day is balance between food (carbs), exercise and insulin. If I get too much exercise or insulin without enough food, I get dizzy and my muscles ache, I have to tell mom and dad right away because without sugar I can go unconscious.

I am excited and scared about getting an insulin pump. An insulin pump means I will get 3 needles each week instead of 30+ needles each week and my insulin will automatically run through the pump (almost like an IV line). I look forward to being able to eat whenever I want, instead of at set times. I am excited to sleep-in in the morning and I can't wait to go on a sleepover again with my friends!

My mom and dad are overwhelmed at the generosity of the Little Valley Jamboree and very excited for my continued and improved health. Me and my brothers will be hard to miss at the Jamboree on June 18/19, 2011, I hope to see you there!