Today's blog by one of my guest bloggers - Chris - the Dad of a Type 1 Diabetic.
November 13, 2011
A rock star, a marine biologist, a police officer. Ask my three kids today what they want to be when they grow up and these are the answers. Sammie is the rock star -- she is four and can't really sing -- fortunately with much I hear on the radio these days being able to sing doesn't seem like one of the requirements for rock star. My son is the marine biologist -- for a long time he wanted (and maybe still does) to be a Marine marine biologist -- carry a gun and study underwater creatures -- two things he thinks are really cool. Allie, our type 1 diabetic, wants to be a police officer when she grows up. Thanks to increased awareness, good legislation and some court cases when she grows up if that is still her dream she will be able to do just that. There are still some jobs that may be off limits - military, pilot, high wire circus performer - but because of some pioneering there are fewer and fewer things off limits for type 1 diabetics. With those advancements plus the great strides on finding quality therapies for diabetes management -- and maybe one day a cure -- I still tell my daughter with great confidence that she can be whatever she wants when she grows up (of course except those things her father finds objectionable).
Here are a few names for you...
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Chicago Bears starting Quarterback Jay Cutler
Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist Gary Hall Jr.
Rock Star Bret Michaels, lead singer for Poison, or Nick Jonas for those younger folks
Dr. George Minot Nobel Prize in Medicine recipient
...all Type 1 diabetics.
There are times when your wife is pregnant that maybe you dream about raising an NFL starting quarterback, a Gold Medalist, a Rock Star, a Supreme Court justice or Nobel Prize winner (ok -- the last two are a stretch, but certainly starting QB for the Redskins might have creeped in). But in reality when that day comes and you are in the room trying to stay out of the way and conscious your wishes quickly move to happy and healthy. We have been blessed with all three kids -- a few things here and there but otherwise both happy and healthy so far. Allie's diagnosis certainly put a mark we could have done without in that column on negative health issues. But thanks to some great advances in medical technology (yeah insulin!) some forward thinking legislation (go American with Disabilities Act!) and some pioneers in raising awareness (thank you Mary Tyler Moore!) my daughter and other children her age have the brightest future of any generation to date that will deal with this disease.
We need to keep the momentum going -- support diabetes research and awareness -- who knows Allie and some of her type 1 peers could be the next gold medal winner, NFL quarterback, Rock Star, Supreme Court Justice or Nobel Prize winner (maybe for finding that cure we are all hopeful for)!
In the end -- as her dad -- my only wish is that she be healthy and happy!
Until there is a cure,
Chris
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