December 22, 1997 I was rushed to Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and diagnosed with diabetes. The staff on hand told my parents it was lucky I was brought in that day, because I was hours away from death.
That day, 13 years ago, I lived. Not only have I lived, but I have thrived. I strive not to let my disease define who I am, nor to limit what I can accomplish.
Diabetes is a manageable disease, there are a variety of treatments to care for the symptoms of diabetes, and to prevent side effects- but none of these are a cure. Nearly every single person I speak to knows someone with diabetes, be it type 1 or type 2. So if someone you know or love has diabetes, I’m asking please, find it somewhere in your heart to make a donation to the American Diabetes Association.
A cure isn’t far off- when I was diagnosed my grandfather had these words of comfort for my mother, “They discovered insulin in my generation, they’ll find a cure in hers.” I believe his words to this day, and will continue to fight and donate and bring attention to work on curing diabetes, not just treating it.
Thank you.
