PRESS RELEASE: Discrimination Alleged Against Under Armour and Riverside Under the Lights Flag Football League Franchise, Specific to a 6-Year Old Type 1 Diabetic Flag Football Player Girl – Gracie Sevilla; Department of Justice Complaint Filed

January 15, 2020

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Tommy Sevilla (951) 289-1710

Sevilla Local Media

tommy@sevillalocalmedia.com

Discrimination Alleged Against Under Armour and Riverside Under the Lights Flag Football Franchise, Specific to a 6-Year Old Type 1 Diabetic Flag Football Player Girl – Gracie Sevilla; Department of Justice Complaint Filed

A Federal complaint was filed against the multi-national sports apparel and equipment company – Under Armour, and the Under the Lights Flag Football Franchise, alleging that the local league – Riverside Under the Lights, headed by Cory Wells and the parent league; a Florida based company headed by ex-Arena Football League Quarterback, John Kaleo, willfully discriminated against a person with a qualifying disability – Gracie Sevilla, age 6.

The Complaint, a precursor to a Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit, alleges that a willful and malicious discrimination against a person with a qualifying disability under The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12134, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, occurred and is currently under review by the Department of Justice.

In May 2019, Gracie Sevilla, a 6 year old standout flag football player on her father, Tommy Sevilla’s K-2 Under Armour Friday Night Lights – Riverside Steelers – 7 on 7 Flag Football Team, was blatantly refused “reasonable accommodation” to play in the Steelers playoff game(s) by League Commissioner, Cory Wells, after such was requested by her coach and father and her mother, Melodie Sevilla, in writing.

Gracie, as a Type 1 Diabetic, wears a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring device (“CGM”) affixed to her thigh, while playing sports and otherwise. The device has a small filament that penetrates the skin’s fluid just below the epidermis and reads her blood glucose level every 5 seconds, rendering a cumulative reading every 5 minutes, that if high or low, signals alarms. The alarms then allow the parent or caregiver ample time to treat the life-threatening high or low.

For a Type 1 Diabetic, a blood sugar level reading that is too high or low causes a multitude of ill symptoms and leads to a diabetic coma then death when not treated in a timely manner.

The receiving medical device must be within 10 yards of Gracie at all times or a signal loss will occur and no potentially life-saving reading will be given. Gracie’s River Springs Charter School nurse, teacher and school campus proctor are others who have the app downloaded on their personal cell phones for monitoring, alerts, treatment and emergency care.

Type 1 Diabetes is an incurable autoimmune disorder of the Pancreas whereby the Pancreas stops producing life-saving Insulin necessary to survive and metabolize carbohydrates. Type 1 Diabetics like Gracie, must receive Insulin via needle injections into the skin; on average, Gracie receives 10-15 Insulin injections per day.

Commissioner and League Owner, Cory Wells, after barring Gracie’s father from coaching in the Playoffs, due to a personal dispute with him over Wells’ failure to address the misconduct of a rival coach that lead to a near riot on the football field with parents and coaches, and ensure the safety of his players and others for the upcoming playoffs, Gracie’s coach and Father, in an email, advised Wells that he was obligated under Federal law to have either Gracie’s mother or trained medical personnel on the field with the receiving device (within 10 yards of Gracie) to allow Gracie to play, to which Wells’ scoffed at the request.

Commissioner/Owner Wells, in an email, arrogantly refused the request by Gracie’s parents; dismissed the ADA provision and mandate for a “reasonable accommodation” and brashly welcomed threatened complaints and impending lawsuit(s).

In further retaliation toward Gracie and her parents an unprecedented league-wide email. Cory Wells, stated that no unauthorized persons would be admitted on to the field and that the gate would be locked and security tight; a specific reference to Gracie coach and father, Tommy Sevilla, as well as her mother, who could have taken her coach and father’s spot on the field with the receiving device and thus allowing her to play.

Cory Wells, the league commissioner, was well aware of Gracie being a Type 1 Diabetic. Gracie Sevilla was the youngest player in his league for the second season in a row, the only girl, and the only Type 1 Diabetic; one who had brought great positive publicity to his league, receiving local, regional, national and International media coverage associated with her being a unique young female athlete playing Football with Type 1 Diabetes.

Statement from Under Armour Friday Night Lights Coach, Tommy Sevilla, father to Luke and Gracie Sevilla:

“It is mind-boggling that a person in such a position that Corey Wells is in, purporting to operate a youth sports franchise for kids with a pure motive, acted in such a manner, proving clearly that it’s all about money and he has no regard for the safety and welfare of the kids in his league both from a security and health standpoint.

As a father himself he should no better and to scoff at Gracie’s condition and legitimate request for a reasonable accommodation, he must have a dark, arrogant soul.

Yet, how shameful is it of Under Armour and Under the Lights also, to have responded as they have!

John Kaleo, is an arrogant, cocky jerk and Eric Ogbogu, totally turned his back on the issue after handing it over to Kaleo, showing that Under Armour simply passed the buck and has no regard for Gracie or other Type 1 Diabetics.

We, as a family, rock Under Armour gear and have supported the Brand for years. It is unbelievable for John Kaleo to state that their (Under Armour) “team of lawyers” assured him that this was not discriminatory, nor a civil rights violation and much less an ADA issue. It is utterly shameful and insensitive; an example of corporate greed and human disconnect.

Gracie was supposed to just play without medical supervision, signal loss from her medical device whereby we have no idea what her blood glucose level was?!

How hard was it to allow Melodie, Gracie’s mom on the field, in my place, with the receiver, to monitor her blood sugar level and treat her accordingly?!

The actions of Under the Lights, Under Armour and Cory Wells has been arrogant, proud and an absolute affront to children with disabilities; a complete and utter contradiction to what they claim their brands’ stand for and they owe, at minimum, a contrite and sincere apology to Gracie, and to all like her who without proper medical supervision and treatment, can die suddenly.

Unbelievable how it has come to this, how they have robbed this little girl and her loyal brother, who refused to play without his sister, Dad and coach on the field, of a playoff and National Championship Tournament experience, all on account of Cory Wells’ deliberate indifference, sickening arrogance and blatant disregard for a young girl with a life threatening illness.

Pathetic.”

The Federal Complaint against Cory Wells, alleges that Wells retaliated against Gracie and her parents with foresight of malice, because he was angry with her father (the team’s Head Coach for the second year in a row) for him having complained about Wells’ unfair treatment to Under Armour seeking their intervention.

When Under Armour was contacted about the situation, Eric Ogbogu, a former Dallas Cowboy, passed the issue along to John Kaleo, the Friday Night Lights Franchise Founder and Owner, who mocked and dismissed Gracie’s situation and its relevance to the American with Disabilities Act, both showning a deliberate indifference toward accommodating a person with a qualifying disability; Gracie Sevilla, a 6-year old Type 1 Diabetic girl football player.

In attempt to appease Gracie’s father and coach, John Kaleo, extended an invitation to Tommy Sevilla, the Steelers coach, for them to compete in Under Armour’s National Championship Tournament, since Gracie, nor her brother, Luke Sevilla, the teams star quarterback and player, couldn’t compete in the league’s playoffs to qualify fairly for the tournament; the Steelers would would fail to advance without Luke, Gracie and Coach Tommy on the field and barely have enough players to field a team. However, this was an insincere invitation as it would be impossible for Sevilla to field a team due to the negative fallout surrounding the original near riot incident and Commissioner Wells’ steadfast refusal to share the leagues other coaches’ contact information, so as to allow Coach Sevilla to invite the league’s other players to join his National Championship team, thus making the invitation to compete of no value.

Kaleo refused to intervene in Wells’ retaliation and assist Sevilla in adding players to his team, and it was learned that Wells, in fact, helped the opposing coach (the one who committed the original misconduct) form a team by adding the league’s best players from other teams to his team; the very thing requested by Sevilla.

Previous to this ADA violation, the previous Fall Season of the Riverside Under Armour League, Wells, and the Hillcrest High School Football Coach and Athletic Director, scoffed at and refused to remedy a situation whereby, spectators to the Under Games were forced to park in the lower student parking lot and walk up a steep grade, several hundred yards to steep steps that lead to the football field. This unreasonable trek prevented elderly persons and persons with physical disabilities from accessing the field. Wells failed to address the issue of the gate, which lead to the upper parking lot and access ramps/stairs, being locked, which forced all spectators, including the disabled, to make the long, challenging trek up the steep grade.

The Hillcrest High School Football Coach and Athletic Director, believing he had called Wells to complain about the “woman” who complained about the situation, actually called her, and began the phone call by disparaging the complaining party.

A long email thread substantiating the allegations against Under the Lights and Under Armour exist and upon exhaustion of administrative remedy, a Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit will be filed against Under Armour, the Under the Lights Football Franchise (John Kaleo) and Cory Wells’ corporation that is associated the league, as well as specific persons in their individual capacities, for a deliberate indifference toward Gracie Sevilla, a person/athlete with a Federally recognized physical disability.

Gracie Sevilla has continued to play sports without such retaliation and discrimination since the incident, excelling as an infielder and pitcher with Jurupa Valley Little League, thriving as a Quarterback with the Corona Friday Night Lights Flag Football League with her father Tommy as Head Coach, and most recently in Gymnastics.

Brother Luke Sevilla, would subsequently, lead his Ohio State Buckeyes Team to the Corona Friday Night Lights – Sophomore Silver Division League Championship, with his father as Coach.

Gracie will be joining the 3G Wrestling Team out of La Verne, California, a team her brother, Luke, currently competes with, and will also begin her training as a Boxer with the Jurupa Valley Boxing Club, where her father sits on the Board of Directors.

It is believed that she would become the only and youngest female wrestler and boxer with USA Boxing and USA Wrestling.

Gracie has been featured as a Type 1 Diabetic Athlete in International, National and Local news sources, both in print and on television.

Gracie has a website and You Tube channel in development; website currently points to her GoFundMe page created for Type 1 Diabetes Awareness and fundraising for a specially trained Diabetic Alert Dog: https://GraceForTheCure.org and https://GracieSevilla.com

Grace for the Cure: Diabetes Alert Service Dog for Gracie Sevilla – www.GracieSevilla.com

Hi:

In March 2018, our 4 year old daughter, Gracie Sevilla (now 5), was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, an incurable, intense, auto-immune disease that inflicts mostly children in their grade school years; a disease whose cause is unknown and is not due to diet or family history, but rather genetic markers and environmental triggers which cause the Pancreas to no longer produce life saving Insulin (a hormone in the body) necessary for blood glucose production and functioning – both high and low levels of blood glucose cause diabetic ketoacidosis which leads to diabetic coma, swelling in the brain and then, death.

Our campaign goal for her is a Diabetes Alert Service Dog; a specially trained service animal that has the ability to quickly detect changes in her blood that could be life threatening. The dog then alerts the person with Diabetes and those around her, allowing time for treatment of both highs and lows.

We don’t currently have a dog and it makes perfect sense for our family pet to be specially trained to alert us of Gracie’s life-threatening highs and lows.

You can read about Gracie, Type 1 Diabetes, and how it has impacted our family in a recent article on her by Insulin Nation and also a more recent feature story in Inland Empire Sports & News .

Kendall Simmons, an all-time Pittsburgh Steelers great, recently tweeted out to Gracie as being an inspiration to all with Type 1 Diabetes.

Gracie was also featured with her Ohio State Buckeyes Under Armour Flag Football League on Channel 2 & 9 news – Los Angeles – for not only being the youngest in the league, the only girl for that matter, but also the only Type 1 Diabetic in the league; wearing her Dexcom G6 under her shorts and on her thigh as she played.

You can read about her here .

Type 1 Diabetes, not to be confused with adult onset Type 2 Diabetes, requires moment by moment, day to day treatment and left untreated, can be immediately fatal. Persons with Type 1 Diabetes require Insulin injections after every meal; especially those which contain carbohydrates, as well as finger pricks to check blood glucose levels. Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices (CGM’s) lessen the need for finger pricks.

Gracie receives multiple injections of Insulin daily after every meal and snack and one night time dose of a different type of Insulin (Lantus) which is long acting; periodic finger pricks and now wears a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring system that has a filament like catheter that inserts under the skin; continuously testing glucose levels and that which transmits a reading to our phones every 5 minutes and sounds alarms alerting us of dangerous highs and lows so that we may treat her high and low symptoms with Insulin or carbohydrate fluids or foods.

The Dexcom g6 is an absolute blessing for us and a literal life-saver. Gracie’s mother, Melodie, fought with her Pediatrician and our insurance company to get the “non-essential” medical device which even with insurance, is extremely expensive (each sensor cost several hundred dollars and needs to be switched out every 10 days or sooner and the transmitter or “brain” is 3 times as expensive and also last a relatively short period of time). These components often fail well before their expiration and long waits and troubleshooting sessions with tech support; fights with the pharmacies and insurance companies, much less the Pediatrician, are common.

DIABETIC ALERT DOG: Although the continuous glucose monitoring device (Dexcom G6) is essential to us (can’t imagine not having it after having had it), man-made technology fails and there is something much more reliable and would be such an amazing blessing to the entire family, especially little Gracie, who loves animals.

We don’t currently have a dog and a well-trained Diabetic Alert Dog makes all the sense in the world.

Properly trained, certified Diabetic Alert Dogs can alert of a life-threatening, impending high or low blood glucose level as much as 15 minutes sooner than a medical device and even a finger prick. God has designed these dogs with such an amazing keen seen of smell; instinct and loyalty for it’s owners that the dog will wake up or otherwise alert a sleeping parent or child to let them know that the blood glucose levels are rising dangerously fast or dropping dangerously low; such a loveable and reliable medical alert system to help strengthen what we already have and provide for just a little bit of peace of mind in the midst of what is a constant stressor and source of great anxiety.

Gracie’s dad is a great provider for his family but in considering this newly learned option (Diabetic Alert Dog); factoring in our family’s gifts and talents and our no choice other than to accept this disease and meet it head on, we’ve decided to take this route to help raise not only funds to purchase a specially trained dog from a reputable and certified Diabetic Alert Dog organization, but also to raise awareness about this horrible disease; something we are committed to doing for the rest of our lives.

Diabetes Alert Service Dogs from reputable, certified, licensed trainers cost in the tens of thousands of dollars and most insurance companies do not cover the costs of diabetic alert dogs or service dogs in general, because their effectiveness has not yet been proven in scientific studies. Therefore, for the reasons stated above and for this reason, we invite you to join little Gracie in our “Grace for the Cure” fundraiser for a Diabetic Alert Dog for Gracie, and to raise T1D (Type 1 Diabetes) awareness.

We believe that God can instantly heal Gracie and all who suffer and pray earnestly that He will. However, we know that in this life we shall suffer and take the good with the bad, praising Him unceasingly and remaining steadfast in our faith in Him. In the meantime, and in the midst of this fiery trial, He has been ever faithful and has blessed us in so many ways. It is our prayer that all who suffer and deal daily with this terrible disease will receive healing soon and that God will bless us all with a cure, and continue to fill us with His grace and mercy.

Until there is a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, there is Gracie, and if God wills, she shall have her furry companion soon enough while raising awareness, as we’ve learned so many no nothing, very little or are very misinformed about a very serious and life-threatening disease.

Grace for the Cure!

Our Amazing Grace!

https://www.gofundme.com/diabetic-alert-dog-for-gracie-grace-for-the-cure

www.GracieSevilla.com

www.GracefortheCure.org

www.GracieT1dSuperStar.org

Gracie with her mom (Melodie) and older brother Luke, walking for a Diabetes Cure at the JDRF One Walk event at Anaheim Stadium this year.

Family and friends supporting Gracie and Team: GRACE FOR THE CURE!

Gracie Sevilla, Type 1 Diabetic

Football: Riverside’s Under Armour K-2 Division Steelers Features the Amazing Gracie Sevilla – www.iesportsnews.com

Football: Riverside’s Under Armour K-2 Division Steelers Features the Amazing Gracie Sevilla

11 Apr, 2019 in Community / Football / Local / News / Sports by Charles McKee

Read the Article here: https://iesportsnews.com/football-riversides-under-armour-k-2-division-steelers-features-the-amazing-gracie-sevilla/

Riverside Under Armour – Under the Lights Football: Gracie Sevilla & The Steelers – Type 1 Diabetes

Riverside Under Armour – Under the Lights Football Team: Gracie Sevilla – Type 1 Diabetic

April 9, 2019

Riverside Under Armour – Under the Lights: K-2 Division Steelers and Gracie Sevilla – Type 1 Diabetic Football Player

For Immediate Release

On Friday, April 12, 2019, the Riverside Under Armour – Under the Lights K-2 Flag Football Team – the Steelers (3-0), will be playing a double-header against the also undefeated Raiders, then against the 1-2 Rams. The game against the Raiders is a league showcase game that pits two dynamic offenses and lock down defenses against one another for first place in the league and the inside track to play in the National Championship Game at UCLA in May.

The Riverside Steelers recently beat the Menifee Raiders by a score 20-8 with Riverside Quarterback, Luke Sevilla, recording an epic game with 3 interceptions at Safety; one was a pick 6.

Luke also was 5/6 passing with a touchdown pass and had many long gains at running back.

Guillermo Villarreal, had a strong game on defense with 6 stops.

Last week, the Steelers fell behind two (2) scores against the Riverside Seahawks, until Luke Sevilla, playing running back and safety, accounted for 3 touchdowns to bring the team to an 18-13 victory.

The Steelers team features 5 returning members from last years Championship game squad: Luke Sevilla, Gracie Sevilla, Jayden Sage, Guillermo Villarreal, & Noah Corona.

The Steelers have added 3 dynamic players to their mix this year: Sese Tuolioa, Eden Esau and Zane Sedoris – increasing their speed and skill exponentially.

Sese Tuolioa, is the 6 year-old brother of Lokeni and Leni Tuolioa; starting linebackers for the UCLA Bruins, and Lemusu Toailoa; starting Linebacker for the Sacramento State Hornets.

The UCLA tandem helped out at practice; bringing their friends and teammates, and were on the sidelines helping Head Coach, Tommy Sevilla at the Menifee showcase game.

Unique to the Riverside Under the Lights Flag Football League is Receiver, Running Back and Defensive End, Gracie Sevilla, the only girl in the league, the youngest player in the league (5) and a Type 1 Diabetic, recently diagnosed last year.

Type 1 Diabetes is an incurable auto-immune disease that affects mostly children from 4 years old and rarely strikes adults. Type 1 Diabetes is thought to be triggered by viruses/illnesses common to school aged children (RotoVirus, Foot and Mouth, etc) who have the genetic markers of Type 1 Diabetes, which causes the Pancreas to fight against its own beta cells and shut down partially, then entirely, rendering the Pancreas useless to produce life saving Insulin.

Gracie, literally needs Insulin Shots to stay alive and receives as many as 10 per day.

The device is a Dexcom G6 and her father, Tommy Sevilla, the teams head coach of two years, keeps the receiver in his pocket as he coaches the kids; including Gracie, on the playing field.

Gracie was recently featured in Insulin Nation and on Channel 2 & 9 news – Los Angeles affiliates, regarding her Type 1 Diabetes and athletic prowess; Gracie also excels in Baseball, Soccer and Basketball. She currently stars for the Jurupa Valley Single A – Angels Baseball Team as an infielder and power hitter.

As a soccer player, Gracie was the leading scorer on her Riverside Parks & Recreation team and, as a Basketball Player, she recently made a long shot from the baseline area of the adult basketball court in a Parks & Recreation game at Reid Park.

Gracie Sevilla has a website in development: https://GracieSevilla.com , which links to her GoFundMe page where she is raising Type 1 Diabetes awareness and also money for a Diabetic Alert Dog.

Grace for the Cure, is the name of the organization founded by Gracie’s dad, to bring awareness to Type 1 Diabetes.

#GracefortheCure

Diabetic Alert Dogs are specially trained dogs that alert the affected person and those around them of impending highs and lows, a full 15 minutes before a CGM like the Dexcom G6 or other man-made technologies, and can even sense and alert from many miles away when they are away from their owners; such as when Gracie is in school.

Friday night double-header will be played at Riverside’s Arlington High School at 6:00 pm (Raiders) and 8:00 pm (Seahawks).

For inquiries, please contact:

Tommy Sevilla (951) 289-1710
Head Coach, Under Armour Steelers

https://sevillalocalmedia.com

Sevilla Local Media – Grace for the Cure #graceforthecure

Riverside Under Armour Steelers Travel to Menifee: Luke & Gracie Sevilla

March 28, 2019

Riverside Under Armour Under the Lights Flag Football K-2 Steelers Travel to Menifee

For Immediate Release

On Friday, March 29, 2019, the Riverside Under Armour K-2 Flag Football Team – the Steelers (1-0), will be traveling to Paloma Valley High School in Menifee to challenge the 2-0 Menifee Steelers, in a showcase game between the two leagues.

The 1-0 Riverside Under Armour K-2 Raiders, will also be challenging a Menifee league team on Friday night.

The Steelers team features 5 returning members from last years Championship game squad: Luke Sevilla, Gracie Sevilla, Jayden Sage, Guillermo Villareal, & Noah Corona.

The Steelers have added 3 dynamic players to their mix this year: Sese Tuolioa, Eden Esau and Zane Sedoris – increasing their speed and skill exponentially.

Sese Tuolia, is the 6 year-old brother of Lokeni and Leni Tuolia; starting linebackers for the UCLA Bruins, and Lemusu Toailoa; starting Linebacker for the Sacramento State Hornets.

The UCLA tandem helps out at practices brings their friends and teammates and will be in attendance for Friday nights game in Menifee.

Gracie, whose blood glucose levels have dipped to deadly levels (32 mg/dl) or has risen to deadly levels (600 + mg/dl), plays with a continuous glucose monitoring device affixed to her thigh that sends a reading to her dad, mom and school teachers & nurses (River Springs Magnolia Center in Riverside, where sister Sophia is a member of the Varsity Swim Team) cell phone app, alerting them of both highs and lows. The device is a Dexcom G6 and her father, Tommy Sevilla, the teams head coach of two years, keeps the receiver in his pocket as he coaches the kids; including Gracie, on the playing field.

Gracie’s father, Tommy, is a member of the Jurupa Valley Boxing Club’s Board of Directors; Gracie has a desire to add boxing to her resume of athletics; a sport that her 7 year old brother and football teammate, Luke, will be taking up as he soon reaches the required age of 8.

Gracie Sevilla has a website in development: https://GracieSevilla.com

which links to her GoFundMe page where she is raising Type 1 Diabetes awareness and also money for a Diabetic Alert Dog.

Diabetic Alert Dogs are specially trained dogs that alert the affected persona those around them of impending highs and lows, a full 15 minutes before a CGM like the Dexcom G6 or other man-made technologies, and can even sense these phenomenons miles away when they are away from their owners; such as when Gracie is in school.

The Riverside Under Armour K-2 Steelers will return to their home stadium – Riverside’s Arlington High School, Friday, April 5th at 5:30 pm, and every friday night thereafter, as they play to reach the Under Armour National Championship Game to be played at UCLA.

For inquiries, please contact:

Tommy Sevilla (951) 289-1710

UPDATE: The Riverside Steelers beat the Menifee Raiders by a score 20-8 with Riverside Quarterback, Luke Sevilla, the older brother of Gracie Sevilla, recordig an epic game with 3 interceptions at Safety; one was a pick 6. Luke also was 5/6 passing with a touchdown pass and had many long gains at running back.

Guillermo Villareal, had a strong game on defense with 6 stops.

The Riverside Steelers played exceptionally well alongside the Riverside Steelers who also won their game against Menifee.

Gracie Sevilla: Child with T1D Commits Whole Family to Care

This article appears in www.InsulinNation.com

Child with T1D Commits Whole Family to Care

The first months of new T1D care are scary, all-consuming and completely change family dynamics

Martin Hensel December 6, 2018

0 3,738 3 minutes read

Tommy and Melodie Sevilla share the story of their T1D daughter Gracie’s diagnosis, treatment, and achievement.

“Gracie’s leg hurt again. It happened often. What could a little girl be doing to hurt her leg? Then she was thirsty and listless. Finally, we looked up her symptoms on the web and took her to the pediatrician. We felt so guilty when we confirmed that she had T1D. She had been suffering, and we didn’t understand.”

Diagnosed with T1D in March 2018, Gracie was four-years-old, weighed 42 pounds, wore size 4 clothes and looked exhausted. Today, Gracie weighs 55 pounds, wears size 7, clothes, and stars in the Riverside/Corona Under Armour flag football league.

Melodie “Those first days, I was scared. I was in mourning for my child who was still alive, but I knew she would no longer have a normal life. I feared that everything for her would be different and harder.

Learning how to care for her consumed us. How to count carbs, measure her blood glucose, and give her injections. It was like having a baby again. We were up at night checking frequently, living in fear, never quite sure we knew what to do.”

Tommy “I didn’t know there were two types of diabetes. I didn’t know about Type 1 Diabetes. I had only heard of Type 2 Diabetes. I learned as much as I could as quickly as I could. I was ashamed to learn how little I knew and shocked at how many families were raising children with Type 1 Diabetes.

It took months to gain confidence in our ability to care for Gracie. Getting rid of soda was easy. It was much harder to learn when to use fast acting versus slow acting insulin, or to judge the impact on her blood glucose of protein and exercise.”

Normalcy is hard to come by. Our marriage changed. Little things no longer mattered. Dealing with the big thing required teamwork and support. Gracie’s T1D became a full-time job for the whole family.

Tommy “We got a Dexcom G6 CGM for Gracie after five months. It has been a tremendous help. Both Melodie and I have the Dexcom app on our phones. I have the alarms set at 100 and 260 because I want some warning when I am coaching Gracie on her football team. Melodie has her alarms set at 80 and 275.

We don’t plan to get a pump. Kids can be cruel, and we don’t want Gracie to stand out too much from her friends. She wears her Dexcom on her leg, so it is under her shorts. We plan to get an alert dog next.”

Melodie “Gracie started Kindergarten this fall. Picking a school for her was surprisingly hard. Some schools did not comprehend the care a T1D child requires. The school we chose had one staff member and the spouse of a staff member each with T1D. They have been amazing; caring and loving Gracie as their own.

I am careful about the carbs in Gracie’s school snacks — 3-5 carbs in her morning snack and 12-15 carbs in her afternoon snack at 1 PM. Her snacks are only slow carbs such as jerky and nuts.

I prepare her school lunch, but I give her a lot of choice in what to eat because she gets Novolog with lunch. I want her food to be normal kid-food, so she fits in with her friends.”

Tommy “On weekend game days, we also give her a 12-15 carb snack at 1 PM, so she is ready to play at 5 PM. It is hot in Southern California, so she burns glucose quickly. If she gets low, we use Gatorade Chews or something similar. Gracie was the only girl and the youngest player in our Under Armour Flag Football League this Fall. She was also the only child with T1D.

Now that Gracie is healthy again, she also excels at soccer, baseball and basketball, roller skating and singing Christian Worship Music. Phil Wickham is her favorite artist and “Amazing Grace” her favorite song by him; a song that causes me to cry every time I hear it.”

Melodie “I feel guilty about the impact Gracie’s T1D care has had on her brother and sister. Too often, their lives and desires have taken a back seat due to Gracie having a hard night or something else. Both are super serious about Gracie’s care. I think our whole family has become more serious as we each cope and help and work together.

I want our pediatrician, and all others across the country, to have a poster in her office about T1D symptoms. No one should be as clueless as we were.”

Tommy “Gracie has a website in development that is called “Grace for the Cure” and her URL is: https://GracieT1dSuperStar.org. We are determined to raise awareness about T1D; particularly identifying the symptoms to prevent death and promote early diagnosis, and to share our experiences as persons living alongside T1D.”

Life challenges each of us to be brave in different ways. Tommy, Melodie, and their children are courageous people. They show us how best to respond to the challenge that life presented them.

Up for the Challenge, Down for the Cause: Grace for the Cure!

Fundraising to End Type 1 Diabetes

Team “Grace for the Cure” is Up for the Challenge and Down for the Cause!

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Support Team Gracie Sevilla

Support Team Grace for the Cure!

Our team is participating in walks to end type 1 diabetes (T1D). The JDRF One Walk is one of many that we will participate in this year and we seek to also promote and support other reputable organizations, as well.

What’s in the World is Going On with Gracie?!

In March of 2018, our little Gracie was not her normal self. Her dad noticed her waking up several night in a row, late at night, to use the restroom and asking for something to drink as she was always “very thirsty”. Knowing a little something about Diabetes, her dad feared the worse and began to research and learn what he had been already fearing. He sent a link to his wife, who was fast asleep at the time and she was in denial. As the weekend approached, they knew they had to make an appointment with the doctor. Gracie’s Mom Melodie, was too distraught to call her Husband Tommy that morning, so one of his daughters had to, telling him to get down to the doctor’s office immediately, as it was certain Gracie was now a Type 1 Diabetic and they all needed to be trained to manage this deadly, life-long illness.

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.“

John 9:3

So many questions were asked and so much was immediately learned; Type 1 Diabetes is not caused by eating too many sweets, a poor diet or being obese, but is rather an Autoimmune Disease whereby the Insulin producing pancreas shuts down for one reason or another, mostly likely the latent effects of having been afflicted with a virus long, or not long ago.

When you have T1D, your body stops producing insulin—a hormone essential to turning food into energy. Managing the disease is a constant struggle that involves monitoring your blood-sugar level, administering insulin, and carefully balancing these insulin doses with your eating and activity just to stay alive.

Gracie Sevilla – Type 1 Super Star!

We live by faith in Jesus Christ and lean not upon our own understanding, but rather trust Him in all things. Although sometimes it’s so much easier said then done, ultimately, we trust in Him and love Him so much. This being said, he’s blessed Gracie’s dad as a provider for his family and also with great determination and zeal for good things and causes; we feel ashamed at not knowing the struggles that so many dealt with before this came into our lives and we’re determined to overcome this daily with joy and live lives as normal as possible, using our talents and resources to the glory of God the Father; helping as many as possible and also helping to fund a cure.

Even with insurance this is an exceedingly expensive disease but where God guides, God provides and if we can bring awareness and also give to others in need like we have, awesome!

With T1D there are no days off and there is no cure. But there is hope.

YOU CAN HELP TOO!

Donate Directly to the Team and to Gracie and Her Needs

We trust in God and do not rely upon anyone but Him but we know full and well he works through others through prayers and giving from their hearts. Even as He has always supplied our needs abundantly and faithfully, there are those who love Gracie and know the struggle of this disease and want to help and therefore, want to donate to the Team itself, for Type 1 Diabetes extraordinary needs, in addition to or in place of the organizations that we support. For this reason, we have created donation buttons and the means to support, below.

However, know that if God hears your prayers, we cherish your prayers MOSTLY, but like some want to help Team Grace for the Cure monetarily, for this event and others upcoming, your gift on this site will:

Go directly to her special fund for events and other extraordinary needs; such needs are things like:

Attending special camps for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes, where the staff are either Type 1 themselves or highly trained and equipped. Gracie, only recently met another kid with Type 1 Diabetes in July; he, too, had a Dexcom g6 monitoring device, and it’s important for her to feel like she’s not alone, hence, our participation in these events organizing support teams and such;
24 hour Glucose monitoring (Dexcom g6 sensors, for example, cost about $500 each and last only 10 days). Although we’ve been approved and have paid for a Dexcom g6 and have finally gotten insurance to cover it, there are always issues, limited supplies and red tape, forcing a lot of high, out of pocket expenditures;
Glucose Pump (something we are considering at the moment);
A specially trained Diabetic alert (service) dog that we are strongly considering at the moment. These dogs are specially trained and raised as pups in just a few places across the country and range from $10,000 and up. They can literally alert a glucose level drop or spike 15 minutes before it happens.

Things like this.

A Puppy for Gracie?

Your gift will go toward these things and will also go toward funding self-promoted future events, as we use our talents and resources to fight this disease to the benefit of ALL who suffer, especially the kids, with Gracie’s upcoming website (below). The direct gifts in the future will be tax-deductible:

www.GracieT1dSuperStar.org

You may donate using the Pay Pal buttons below, which will give you the option of paying by credit card or Pay Pal at checkout. If you’d like to increase the donation, simply change the quantity of the item at check out.

We thank you for your time and consideration and support.

Support Team Gracie Sevilla: Grace for the Cure; End Type 1 Diabetes!

Type 1 Diabetes Fundraiser – Team Grace for the Cure

www.LocalBusinessLocator.com

&

Sevilla Local Media

Support Team Gracie Sevilla

Support Team Grace for the Cure!

Our team is walking to end type 1 diabetes (T1D).

With T1D there are no days off and there is no cure. But there is hope.

To Donate to the Event, with your 100% tax-deductible donation going directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), please do so here by clicking the logo button at bottom or, if you wish to donate to Gracie’s team – Grace for the Cure – directly, please continue to read on …

or,

Donate Directly to the Team and to Gracie and Her Needs

There are those who want to see their donations go to the Team itself for the event(s) and to Gracie herself, directly. For this reason, we have created this page and the means to support, below.

We cherish your prayers and if you would like to help Team Grace for the Cure for this event and others upcoming, your gift on this site will:

Go directly to her for to fund the team for this event and others;
As well as for things like special camps for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes;
24 hour Glucose monitoring;
Glucose Pump;
Even possibly, a specially trained Diabetic alert (service) dog that we are considering;

Things like this.

Your gift will also go toward funding self-promoted future events, as we use our talents and resources to fight this disease to the benefit of all who suffer, especially the kids, with Gracie’s upcoming website:

www.GracieT1dSuperStar.org

We thank you for your time and consideration and support.

T1d Gracie Sevilla and the Buckeye’s Championship Game

October 18, 2018

Ohio State Buckeyes

Under Armour Under the Lights

Riverside/Corona

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Inaugural Under Armour “Under the Lights” Friday Night Flag Football league Freshman Division Championship Game.

In it’s inaugural season, the Under Armour “Under the Lights” Freshman Division (K-2) is playing its Championship Game tomorrow night – Friday, October 19, 2018 – at 6:45 pm at Riverside, California’s Hillcrest High School.

The league, sponsored by Under Armour Athletic Apparel, is nationwide and growing fast. The league is distinguished by Friday night games and a lively atmosphere highlighted by music, food, refreshments and Under Armour gear.

The Ohio State Buckeyes of the Freshman Division are lead by quarterback, Luke Sevilla, whose sister Grace “Gracie” Sevilla, was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in March of this year. Despite this incurable and intense disease, Gracie is the only and first girl to play in the Under Armour Friday Night Lights League and excels at the running back and defensive end positions. Gracie also excels at soccer, basketball and baseball, having already played many seasons in Riverside, California youth leagues.

Gracie has recently been fitted with the nation’s only FDA approved continuous glucose monitoring device the Dexcom g6, and wears it 24 hours – 7 days a week, including when she plays football and will with all other sports.

As a Type 1 Diabetic whose glucose levels rise and fall dangerously to levels that would induce a comatose state, Gracie often needs an injection before during or after the games; often takes swigs of Gatorade or chews glucose tablets to raise her blood sugar. Her father, Tommy Sevilla, is the team’s Head Coach and carries the device’s receiver; an iPhone 6 that is equipped with the app that gives a glucose reading every 5 minutes and has alarms to alert him when she is critically high or low. He must be within 10 yards of Gracie regularly in order for the device to continue reading.

Direct side effects of Type 1 Diabetes is stomach ache, pain in the extremities and head aches.

Gracie is the only girl in the league; the first in the Riverside/Corona league’s history and it’s lone Type 1 (T1d) athlete. Gracie chose football over being a cheerleader this year.

Under Armour has supplied Gracie with wristbands and headbands to wear over her device to protect it and for branding in sponsorship.

Gracie has a website in development but her web page can be accessed here:

https://localbusinesslocator.com/walk-for-a-cure-for-type-1-juvenile-diabetes-support-gracie-sevillas-team-grace-for-the-cure/

The #1 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes go into the Championship Game with the Freshman Division’s #1 offense and #1 defense and have a head to head record against #2 seed Michigan State of 2-1, losing a close 18-12 game earlier in the season.

On Saturday, November 4, 2018, a team – Grace for the Cure – will be participating in the JDRF One Walk – Walk for the Cure – at Anaheim Stadium, to raise T1d awareness and to help raise money to fund a cure. The team will also consist of Gracie’s family supporters and the Buckeye players and parents.

The Under Armour Freshman Division Buckeyes are: Luke Sevilla (qb, rb, wr, s), Gracie Sevilla (rb, de), Maximus Aguilar (rb, de), Guillermo Becerra (c, rb, dt), Noah Corona (c, rb, dt), Jayden Sage (qb, rb, wr, cb), and Louie Leon (rb, wr, qb, cb, lb).

Contact:

Tommy Sevilla – Sevilla Local Media

(951) 289-1710

sevillalocalmedia@gmail.com

Freshman Division Championship

#1 Ohio State Buckeyes

v.

#2 Michigan State Spartans

6:45 pm

@

Hillcrest High School

11800 Indiana Ave, Riverside, CA 92503

Walk for a Cure for Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes: Support Gracie Sevilla’s TEAM GRACE FOR THE CURE!

Type 1 Diabetes Fundraiser – Team Grace for the Cure

www.LocalBusinessLocator.com

&

Sevilla Local Media

Support Team Gracie Sevilla

Support Team Grace for the Cure!

Our team is walking to end type 1 diabetes (T1D).

With T1D there are no days off and there is no cure. But there is hope.

or,

Donate Directly to the Team and to Gracie and Her Needs

There are those who want to see their donations go to the Team itself for the event(s) and to Gracie herself, directly. For this reason, we have created this page and the means to support, below.

We cherish your prayers and if you would like to help Team Grace for the Cure for this event and others upcoming, your gift on this site will:

Go directly to her for to fund the team for this event and others;
As well as for things like special camps for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes;
24 hour Glucose monitoring;
Glucose Pump;
Even possibly, a specially trained Diabetic alert (service) dog that we are considering;

Things like this.

www.GracieT1dSuperStar.org

We thank you for your time and consideration and support.

Walk to End to Find a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes – Support Team Gracie; GRACE FOR THE CURE!

Grace for the Cure!

(Team Gracie Sevilla)

Cure Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes)

Putting an end to T1D, one step at a time

Our team is walking to end type 1 diabetes (T1D).

With T1D there are no days off and there is no cure. But there is hope.

So, will you join us? Your fundraising or donation not only changes lives for people with T1D but joining JDRF One Walk will change your own life. The inspiration and fun you experience on that day will stick with you, and the pride you can take for your role will last a lifetime.

Thank you for your support.