Diabetes Walk

Last weekend, our family participated in the walk downtown aimed at raising awareness and money to fight diabetes. Many of you loyal readers know that 4 1/2 years ago, at age 24, my sister was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. It required an immediate and drastic change in lifestyle, eating habits, and understanding of medical jargon that I still can't wrap my head around.

Being still trapped in the "new-mom haze," I don't remember those first days of her diagnosis as well as I should. What I do remember, however, is the grace and courage with which she just pulled up her boot straps, and got to work, learning everything she could about the disease, how to manage it, and how to live her life with it. Four and a half years, lots of finger pokes, shots, and one insulin pump later, I am still floored by the way she doesn't allow the disease to rule her life. She is a walking medical dictionary, who has seamlessly embraced the difficulties that I for one, would allow to engulf me.

We are all very, very proud of her. Which is why we all showed up, with our tennies laced, ready to walk and raise some money to fight this disease. It was a beautiful day, and though we were one of the last teams to make it to the finish line (for all of the sightseeing and potty stops along the way), we had a great time. Go Team DiaBethy! :)