Little Hero's Story Highlights Cost Of Diabetes

A recent story of a 5-year-old boy saving his father from a diabetic episode has prompted an outpouring of medical supplies and donations.

Danny Stephen, 43, said people have offered to donate blood-sugar testing strips and monitors. "It's been overwhelming so many people have contacted me and offered test strips and even insulin; what I use every day, medical supplies that I need."

Stephen, who lost his construction job in October, says the strips cost about one dollar each, and his type of diabetes requires him to check his blood four or five times a day. He says it costs about $400 a month to properly maintain his health.

Jack Oberding of Diabetic Charitable Services says since the December holidays, the Pinellas charitable organization has had a 25-percent increase in the number of diabetics requesting supplies. Many say they have lost jobs and health insurance.

"What we try to do in an emergency situation is help them through the emergency period. Most people in that position at some point ought to be able to get on Medicaid," said Oberding. He says the charitable group often provides a three-month supply testing kit and refers diabetics to local free clinics.

Stephen says he was trying to cut back on the use of test strips Saturday when he collapsed, unconscious, on a couch for 10 hours.

Stephen's son, Jude, was the only one home at the time. At dinnertime, he tried to wake his father.

"I literally just passed out," Stephen said. "I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. What came out was mumbo-jumbo."

Stephen said he mumbled the word "juice," and his son thought he was saying "Jude." Once the Bear Creek Elementary School student realized what was happening, he began to pour honey and juice into his father's mouth. Jude then hand-fed his father cupcakes.

"He knows my expressions when my sugar's low," said Stephen, who was diagnosed with diabetes 26 years ago. "He saved my life. All I remember is sort of coming out of it."