Day 77: December 19th, 2007--My Dad and His Little Girls

Diabetes: How does it affect your loved ones? For my 77th day, let me take you back to the 70's and reflect on the year of my birth (1977).

This is a photo of my father and his happy little girls, both of whom would develop type 1 diabetes later in childhood.

See the cutie on the left? That's my twin sister, Rachel, and she had another five and a half years until diabetes stole a little piece of her childhood away.

And see the smiling one on the right with the 70's outfit? That's me, and I had another eight years of diabetes-free life.

And the man in the middle is my father--my rock--who still provides care for me, eventually reimbursing me for all out-of-pocket expenses for my diabetes and other medical bills. I am sure it is hard for him to know his little girls both struggle with a relentless disease like diabetes, but he does what he can to help.

I think that's gotta be one of the hardest parts for those people who love us diabetics, especially our parents--feeling helpless and unable to stop the hurt and pain and some of the struggles that go along with a diagnosis and life-long relationship with diabetes.

There is no cure--yet.