PETERSBURG, Mich. – "I just need to give him that security back. I need to make him feel like he's an 8 year old kid again," says Melissa Chmura.
Last month, Melissa's son, Ryan, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
"It's terrifying... sleeping. Going to bed at night and thinking I'm not going to wake up," explains Ryan Chmura.
Melissa continues, "I think that's the one thing that gets me as a mom is watching him say goodnight to everyone like it's the last time. He tries to talk his way out of having to go to sleep because he's afraid he's not going to wake up."
The one tool that could save his life a diabetic alert dog that detects dangerously high and low glucose levels.
"I feel like when he was in the hospital room on December 9th, somebody just walked in and like took his security from him. When we walked out at discharge he wasn't the same. He didn't feel same anymore."
Ryan already gets seven shots per day and 12 pokes to check his blood sugar. The cost of an alert dog and special training is $16,000, but the sense of security it will bring to his family is priceless.
A benefit dinner will be held in his honor on February 8th at the VFW in Petersburg to help offset the expense. Ryan has one message for anyone who can help him, "Thank you very much and God bless you."
Ryan's family is still in need of items for the silent auction for their upcoming benefit dinner and of course monetary donations. You can donate at www.gofundme.com/62gm2g.