I remember the exact day when you had been brought home from the hospital. You were so tiny that you could barely fit in two hands. You were so beautiful and special.
I knew that I would always protect you, no matter what.
As you grew older, we knew something was amuck, since Grandma suffers from diabetes. We knew the signs that followed it. At three years old, your mom took you to the emergency room, and since then, your life has changed entirely.
You would now have to consider the number of carbs in every food, getting shots of insulin, getting your finger pricked every single day, on top of doctor's appointments, and an endless amount of scary, adult things that you had to face.
It makes me so proud to see you accomplish everything in school, cheerleading, and life. You don't let diabetes stop you from living, and I admire it.
You have had to learn more about your body than anyone else. To be able to tell if your sugar is getting too low or if it's too high, and what to do in the situation. You continue to amaze me with your strength and resiliency.
Every time I would come over and I would see you changing your pump or fighting about getting an insulin shot when you were younger, it would bring me to tears. All I wanted was for you to be cured, to protect you from the pain.
No one should have to face this, let alone a child. They should only have to worry about their happiness and discovering who they are.
But sadly, juvenile diabetes is a prevalent disease that has no cure and will continue to affect the people we love until there is one. Around 1.25 million Americans suffer from juvenile diabetes alone. Doesn't that say something?
That is why it's so important to go to every walk, fundraiser, etc. to raise money for this disease. Because although there are treatments to manage diabetes, it is not taking it away.
I will never stop until there is a cure for my cousin and all of the children out there who are suffering.
