American Diabetes Association: Taking Diabetes Head On

Taking Diabetes Head On
Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Taking Diabetes Head On

Half of my family battles diabetes every minute of every day of our lives...

Half of my family battles diabetes every minute of every day of our lives. I have had diabetes for 24 years, and two of my children, Juleah (10) and J. Kendall (5), were both diagnosed at age 3. We can't remember life without the injections and multiple finger pricks to test our blood sugar even during the night when we have to wake up two to three times to test. We manage our diabetes with insulin pumps from Medtronic MiniMed.

My entire family faces the challenge as we work to control diabetes and stay as active and healthy as possible. I have to think all the time about what my next move is, but I can do anything and accomplish anything by taking diabetes head on and saying I can win. It's not easy it's a daily battle. Diabetes is a chronic disease, with no remission and no cure. The only thing we can do is try to control diabetes and hope for the day when the cure is found.