While reading a comment made by Sandra Miller on my previous post, I started thinking about the acceptance part of the 5 stages of grief. And, you know what? I will NEVER accept this disease. While I can't stick my head in the sand, I will not accept that Riley will have this disease for the rest of his life. I accept that he has it right now. The present cannot be changed, but the future, that is another thing all together. I have to believe that there will someday be a cure for diabetes. I have to believe this for my sanity. I can't bear the thought of Riley living with this for the rest of his life. I just can't. I know some of you are sitting there reading this and shaking your head and pitying me. I've heard some of you say, you gave up on a cure a long time ago. I can't. I won't. Some may say, "Well, you're so new to this. You'll change your mind." Well, I know me, and I won't change my mind. I will fight for a cure for this disease until the day that I die. I promise.
Prayers are needed. I pray daily for a cure. I've heard Ellen say that it will take more than prayer to cure this disease, and she's right. But, prayer never hurt anything. I pray everyday that today will be the day that a cure is found. I pray not only for my son, but all the Josephs, Brendons, Daniels, Zachs, Daves, Alecs, (insert your child's/your name here) that live with this disease every day.
Now, another thing that will help is your time, your time making phone call and creating public awareness about this disease.
Some of you may not be big on prayer and others may say, " I just don't have time". Well, then they can always use your money. I strongly urge you to donate to help find a cure for this disease. There are many places to go to. My personal favorite is The Lee Iacocca Foundation .
I just find a lot of hope in Faustman's research. There are other places to which money can be donated. Please feel free to post your favorites in the comments.
Anyway, that's my rant for tonight. I will not, will not, will NOT accept that Riley will have this for the rest of his life. Call me naive if you'd like. I promise it won't hurt my feelings. I've acquired some tough skin over the years. Even if you think there will never be a cure, what will it hurt to throw a little money their way? Then when the cure does come you will have the satisfaction of knowing you helped cure the Rileys, Josephs, Brendons, Alecs, Zachs, Daves, Kerris, Allisons, Keiths...........of the world.
6 comments:
Yes.
To everything you've written in this post.
Including your faith in Faustman. To my mind her research makes the most sense-- addressing the cause (underlying autoimmune response) rather than simply treating the symptoms of the disease.
Keep the faith, Penny. There are many of us, like you, who have no choice.
Penny-
I am right there with you. Praying, crying, teaching, and believing.
Vivian
Here,Here!! I agree with evrything too. Accept today for today, have faith in the future!
Penny--
Thanks for being our Aaron and Hur and holding up the arms of hope for the future. I had long since given up hope, but thanks to you and several others I'm reevaluating my position.
I have a presentation to about 20 people next week, I'll take a few minutes and talk about diabetes.
Wonderful post Penny.
When I posted on your last entry, I mentioned that I bounced around a lot with my feelings on this disease. I had mentioned that at points I was accepting of this disease. It doesn't sound so good to say it, but what that means is that I have come to terms that my kid has this disease (accepting what is there). It does not mean I am OK with it by any stretch ... I will never, ever be ok with it. Like you, I try to educate people about it as much as possible. Heck, I was at a meeting at the canadian cancer society last month and ended up speaking for a large portion of the meeting about Type 1 Diabetes (hey, they kept asking me so many questions about it! - and I wasn't about to pass up that opportunity to share our experiences with them).
We donate whenever we can. In Canada, the Canadian Diabetes Association will come to your door to pick up any donations (articles of clothing, household goods, etc - pretty much anything you are will to let go of). I have TONS of kids clothes to rid ourselves of ... guess who will be getting a phone call this spring? I could have a yard sale and make some money off of it - but even if I did that, I'd probaby want to donate that money to research anyways - so why not give directly to the cause?
I am going to become involved. I WANT to become involved - I want to help in any way that I can to raise money to find a cure. It is the one and only thing I want most in my life. We will be organizing a team for the Walk for the Cure in June - I can't wait to get involved up to my eyeballs :)
Ok, I've ranted enough here.
Amen, sista!
Thank you for praying, thank you for believing, thank you for fighting.
From the Children to the Parents: thank you always for the hope.
Post a Comment