A Michiana family wants to bring hope to others dealing with Type I Diabetes

With the help of family and their entire community a needed purchase will change the life of one Mishawaka woman.

Her family is sharing their story only with ABC57 on how they plan on handling Type 1 Diabetes with the help of a furry friend.

This family is getting a diabetic alert dog and they’re beyond grateful and excited.

Ruby, the service dog, will help their mom monitor her sugar levels. Not only that, it’s a sign of change and happiness for the entire family.

Melissa Grindle and her mother Debbie Evans talk about the some of the struggles they have

Evans has been living with diabetes since 1958 and before the idea of getting a service dog she would wear a sensor that would incorrectly alarm her on her sugar levels.

If gone unnoticed, that could be the difference between life or death. That’s when the entire family came together and decided Ruby would be the best option.

Grindle says she was aware that her mother was dealing with this disease early on in her childhood and knows that this dog will help her stop worrying.

“I knew how to call 911,” says Grindle. “I knew my grandparents number and until this day I can look at her and say, ‘Mom do you need to check your sugar?”

“Anxiety just lifted off of me, I don’t have to worry about her driving to work, going to the grocery store, sleeping at night,” she adds.

Although getting Ruby wasn’t the cheapest decision Grindle says with lots of help it’s possible. That’s the message she wants to send to everyone. There might not be a cure, but there is always an option.