Funding a Lifetime of Diabetes

This month, being National Diabetes Awareness month, is especially important to me this year as my brother Glen just had his other leg amputated due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes that was discovered when he was just 11.

Glen is 14 months older than I which has made me often think that it could have been me who had the demon. Imagine being an 11 year old boy having injections in his arm or stomach twice a day. He’d trick or treat and sell his candy to my other three brothers and me if he didn’t succumb to eating it himself (which he did too). Then he would be sick, angry, and depression was common.

Glen would tell you that back in the early days he didn’t have the tools to properly control the disease. These days the knowledge, the insulin, the injection and transplant technology (he had a kidney-pancreas transplant back in March of 2000) and being able to accurately check blood sugars in the moment, are available which enable the person to maintain better control over blood sugars.

He would also tell you that even though he’s experienced a lot of bodily damage, he has been able to survive, and is finally coming more to terms with the illness and it’s effects both physically and psychologically.

After 5 decades of being diabetic Glen has learned that relationships, proper attitude and perspective are among the most meaningful things in life. Developing such inner qualities has made it easier for him to accept his physical disabilities.

“My brother is a truly amazing guy. Through his struggles he has developed such a depth of character. We share such meaningful conversations together. He is simply the best listener I know.”

Also, Glen is on permanent disability, and a below the knee amputation is a very costly surgery, not to mention follow-up rehab and eventually a new prosthetic. You can click here to the Go Fund Me account and help Glen pay his medical bills. Any amount helps.