Action Cures Hopelessness

by Erin Rabideau, 17

I am 17 and have had type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes) since I was 12. My diagnosis was a shock to everyone considering that there was absolutely no history of type 1 diabetes in my family at all. For a year prior to the diagnosis I constantly felt sick. During the two weeks before I was diagnosed, I drank four times the amount that I usually did, and had to use the bathroom after each of my classes every day. My parents decided that I should see the doctor, who sent me directly to the emergency room after sugar was discovered in my urine. From that point on it was like a whirlwind of information being fed to us.

I'm sure that you and your family are experiencing the same overwhelming feeling of, "Ok, I have diabetes, what now?" First of all, you have to know that you are not alone. My story is only one of millions. However, it is still easy to feel lonely when most of your friends and family do not have type 1 diabetes. There is actually a whole online community that connects many teens and kids with diabetes to one another through e-mail. Most people are very open and happy to share any experiences and advice that might help you.

Coinciding with that theme that you are not alone, get involved! Type 1 diabetes is not a death sentence. It opens many doors to exciting new opportunities. Everyone is fighting for the same cause, and being included gives a great feeling of hope and strength.

Since I was diagnosed I have had many memorable experiences. I participated in the JDRF Children's Congress, which is where hundreds of kids and teens with type 1 diabetes go to Washington, D.C., and meet with their Congressional Members in order to explain to them why supporting a cure for type 1 diabetes is important.

I also had the opportunity to visit companies like Coke, Paine Webber, American Express, Prudential, and JDRF International and speak to executives about my story and encourage them to help raise money for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. I organized a support group for teenagers with type 1 diabetes; the group and I arranged a sugar-free Halloween party for kids, helped out at the JDRF Walks, and worked with kids with type 1 diabetes through babysitting and entertainment during JDRF luncheons. Each of these experiences was extremely rewarding and I wouldn't be the person I am today without them.

Only without motivation and effort can we lose in this fight. We must all band together, do all that we can to help one another, and promote understanding of this disease. We must prove to the world that a cure is important, and that is not possible by doing nothing. Let's not accept that type 1 diabetes will determine our future. Let's make our future and make people see that we will not be subdued until a cure is found.

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