I would like the world to know that November is Diabetes Awareness Month. We here about the tragic losses from cancers, and it is truly a loss to everyone involved. But Diabetes is a Disease that can be just as devastating to the victim and the families that have to live with this Plague. My son has Type 1 Diabetes. He did not ask for this to happen to him, he did not cause it, he could not have prevented it, and worst of all he cannot cure it. He was diagnosed when he was just two. He does not remember when he wasn’t poked with a needle 6-8 times every day, given 4-8 injections every day. I can’t remember when a simple stomach bug didn’t send me and his mother into a panic and when a few sniffles didn’t keep us up all night to check on him. We have never been able to just let him go without worrying about his every need and bag of supplies. This Disease affects the entire family and those around him. I have been very impressed with him and how well he, at seven years of age, manages his condition. We have been very protective about where he goes and who he may stay with. The parents of his friends have been very interested in learning about his care and treatment. His teachers have been wonderful in learning how to manage his Disease. They allow time to educate his class members about why he has to go to the Nurse as often as he does, why he has to count what he eats, why he has a different type of drink or snack in his class and if he is out sick they are very concerned about his return. We have nearly lost him because of this Disease. We know others who have lost their loved ones because of this Plague. There have been great strides in the treatment of this Disease and maybe one day they can find a cure. There are nearly 200,000,000 people worldwide with Type1 Diabetes that what a cure and many times over with the same dreams. I hope this article is published worldwide and that people will find the time to educate themselves about this Disease. We need all the help we can get to find a cure.

Randy Eichenlaub

McDermott