Most of the time, we hear from people who have overcome adversity in their lives, but I don’t think we often hear about people who are close to those with adversity. I am very healthy and I always have been, but it was never something I took for granted. I have spent 15 years of my life with my younger brother and 12 of those years with a younger brother with diabetes. Most people know what Type I Diabetes is — your pancreas cannot turn food into energy the way it should, causing your body to not regulate your blood sugar levels as it should. But there is so much more that goes into it. How to deal with high and low blood sugar levels and what their symptoms are. What tools, technologies, and medicines are necessary and how to use them. And so much more that I will not bore you with. There have been stories about what it is like to live with diabetes, but not too many about what it is like to care for someone who suffers with it.

I grew up much faster than other kids my age, I became a nurse and care-giver at the age of five. I couldn’t be a bossy big sister, I had to have my brother’s life in my hands every moment of every day, especially when he was very young. If he had low blood sugar while my mom was driving the car, I had to feed him Skittles in the back seat while he screamed at me to leave him alone. When he had to get shots or site changes, my mom asked me to hold him down; my mom would be stabbing him with a needle while I held down his kicking legs. He would plead with us to stop hurting him and this would always make my mom cry. I tested his blood sugar for him most days and learned everything there was to know about diabetes. I spent years running to get my brother his favorite toy dog and my mom a glass of water to stop the tears. None of us wanted this, none of it was easy, but these experiences taught me a lot about compassion and understanding.

Even today, I find myself extremely protective over my brother. He has grown up a lot since the days of him crying every time he saw a needle. He tests his own blood sugar so easily, I barely notice it anymore. He has grown up to take care of himself and I haven’t had to feed him sugar in many years. But, those experiences we shared shaped our relationship. His bravery in dealing with everything in his life make him my hero, things he does without blinking an eye would shock most people. We don’t fight because I took care of him for so many years. I think this is true of any relationship of its type, the bond you form while going through an experience like this is unlike any other. It is a unique relationship that we have and our family is extremely close despite all that has tried to tear us apart. Although he is nearly 17 years old and can do most things on his own, I still find myself caring for him. But he has also cared for me.

My brother is an impressive kid, he has accomplished so much and has never let his diabetes be any more than an inconvenience in his life. We have a closeness I am grateful for, one most siblings do not have. We went through a lot together, and although it was not easy or fun, I am glad. I am glad that his chronic illness brought us closer, which is the only good that can come from something so terrible.