BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – For Vicki Murray, sweet endeavors are a way of life.

Fifteen years ago, he answered his calling by opening a Camden bakery. Laugh Loud Smile Big.

“I really enjoyed that aspect,” Murray said. “I think I like that aspect of creating a memory.”

Let’s just say that the world of cooking is not new to him, thanks to his mother and grandmother.

About six months after opening the shop, there was something else that surprised him; Something that would change his daughter’s life forever.

“He was in fourth grade,” Murray said. “He was coming to the shop after school, we were right next to the school, his face was all grey, he was quite lethargic, tired, he would fall asleep at the table and customers would come in and ask ‘have you seen him?’

That’s when she realized something was wrong and later learned that her daughter had type 1 diabetes.

After three days at the Barbara Bush children’s hospital, Murray and her family learned how to keep her daughter healthy.

When he returned to Camden and the store, other difficulties emerged, along with misunderstandings about the disease.

“Many parents have commented to their children that Seana has diabetes because of my profession,” Murray said.

WABI spoke with a certified physician assistant at Northern Light Health to learn more about diabetes misconceptions.

“The biggest misconception is that people get it from their diet and they’re sedentary, but as I said before, type one diabetes is actually an autoimmune disease and type two diabetes is thought to have some genetic predisposition,” said certified physician assistant Kenni Ashey. Northern Light Health.

“Those who are type can eat cake, they just have to take the carbs into account,” Murray said.

Murray learned about the need for diabetes education in Maine.

It has hosted education and research fundraising events in local communities, such as the Sweet Shot invitational, which raised $25,000 this year.

Her new book, “The Cupcake Lady,” has an entire chapter devoted to diabetes education, with feedback from local doctors and parents.

Follow the cupcake lady to keep up with her Facebook page.

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