I write this, not so I can get sympathy, but so I can inform. When I was 3, I almost died. My parents, both drugs addicts, were too self absorbed to noticed that their three year old had lost 20 pounds. They didn't noticed that I threw up everything that touched my stomach. They could not tell that I was dying of thirst. I lived like this for well over a month. When my aunt came to visit me, I looked so awful that she immediately snatched me up and took me to my general doctor. I couldn't walk, was too drained to talk, was broke out in bad rashes, and she said I had a greenish tent to my skin color. She said that I basically looked like death that day. When I got to the doctor they drew blood work and within an hour had called and said that I needed to get to the emergency room as soon as possible; however, they did not say what was wrong. When we got there, all we had to do was say my name and they took me right back. They said I was a type one diabetic. They claimed my blood sugar was over 800 and said that if we would have waited a day later, then I would not have made it because they said that I had gone into DKA (diabetic ketone acidosis). On July 23, 1999 y aunt was my guardian angel. As I'm in my first semester of my senior year, I am so grateful for every moment and never take a day for granted. I strive to do my best so I can make my aunt proud. It may be tough due to the fact that diabetics go through more than a healthy person can imagine; however, it makes us stronger in the end. Being a diabetic may slow you down sometimes but you should never let it stop you from reaching your true potential and being the best you, you can be.

Shelby
Trenton, SC