GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Twelve-year-old Jaxon Youngblood is like any kid. He loves video games and sports like soccer. The sixth-grader was out with his parents two weeks ago school shopping and they began to notice a few things.
"We have really been watching Jaxon because he was thirsty a lot and urinating a lot," said Jaxon's mom, Kristy Youngblood.
She said while shopping he asked for a soda and instantly got sick after a few sips. So, he was rushed to the hospital.
"His sugar level 1051 and they told us we were very lucky he was alive and not in coma," Kristy Youngblood said.
A normal blood sugar level is about 80, so Jaxon's was 10 times what it was supposed to be. Today, he's taking insulin shots daily and even giving them to himself.
"I just watch my mom do it a couple times and I got the hang of it," Jaxon said.
It's a new diagnosis for this family, but they tell FOX Carolina with the help of JDRF, they've learned so much about Type 1 diabetes.
"Most people think it just affects juveniles and children, but 85 percent have been adults," said JDRF spokeswoman Laura Barlow.
It's an organization Jaxon's mom is thankful to have over the next weeks and months to come.
"We just rely on each other and the whole type one community. It's been really amazing. The support and people telling me he's going to be OK," she said.
JDRF will host its annual Walk to Cure Diabetes this Saturday morning at 9:30 at the BMW Performance Center in Greer. Registration will start at 8 a.m. and FOX Carolina's Greg Funderburg will be the master of ceremonies.
Copyright 2012 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Jaxon Youngblood plays in an Upstate park. (Sept. 6, 2012/FOX Carolina)
