Harper Zempel and Kinley Zempel

WAUPACA, Wis. (WSAW) - When 8-year-old Harper Zempel was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her family knew they had a long road ahead.

Harper was diagnosed with the chronic disease when she was a toddler after going to the hospital for a head injury.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, approximately 6,000 children in the state have Type 1 diabetes.

Harper’s diagnosis came with many things to learn for both of her parents.

“There are constant check-ups, constant monitoring, constant evaluation of where her diabetes is at. It’s been a journey but it has been very eye-opening as well,” said Harper’s mom Karissa.

However, nothing could prepare them for the day Harper’s sugar dropped dangerously low.

“Harper said that she was tired and then she fell asleep and mom was rocking our smallest cause he needed to go to bed and then she didn’t know about it until I told her that Harper was crying in her sleep but it was like whimpering because she didn’t have any tears and she was just crying,” said Harper’s sister Kinley.

The 10-year-old knew something was not right and got into action.

“I was like it has to be a bad dream. That’s what I said at first to myself and then second, I said ‘that can’t be right,’ cause she never does that. And then I went to tell mom and that’s cause she never whimpers in her sleep,” she said.

Kinley’s quick thinking is what saved her sister’s life.

Harper’s mom said when she approached Harper, she was convulsing.

“Her sugar reading was 33,” said Karissa. “We try to keep her sugar to stay 80 to 120.”

Though the ambulance was called, Harper did not have to be rushed to the hospital, having recovered by the time they made it to the Zempel’s home.

Karissa said what Kinley saw is some of the signs she tells her children to look for in their sister whenever she cannot communicate her symptoms herself.

“We tell them to keep an eye on like her eyes and her vision if they become droopy or say saggy or if they I guess sleepy looking to always look for that too,” Karissa said.

Since that incident, Harper’s parents were able to purchase a Dex Com device which helps them know Harper’s glucose levels in real time. She said this has brought them peace of mind and hope it helps them prevent another incident from happening again.