So, today someone posted a comment about my daughter's YouTube video. Here is what she posted:


Your video gave me the courage to get an insulin pump. I was diagnosed when i was 18 months old, in 1990. I am now just getting the courage to get a pump after 17 years of shots. Your daughter is inspiring.


I have to admit I teared up a bit when I read her post. When we were faced with the task of making the video I wanted to show the impact that the disease had on her life. But I didn't want for it to be a depressing story of doom and gloom. Don't get me wrong, type 1 diabetes is a very difficult disease to manage. To give you an idea, I haven't had more than five straight nights of uninterrupted sleep since my daughter was diagnosed 5 1/2 years ago. However, learning to live with this disease has also taught all of us about strength and perseverance. We have all marveled at how courageous my daughter has been and continues to be. She fights every day to win the battle against this disease and usually prevails. Despite all of this she continues to be a kid first and foremost. I wanted for that message to come through in the video. I wanted everyone to realize that just because she has this disease doesn't mean that it has her. Making the decision to switch to the insulin pump was one of those important decisions that helped Samantha become more independent and at the same time take better care of herself. The fact that our video helped someone else find the courage to try the pump makes me feel so uplifted. I didn't want for our video to leave people with a negative impression; I wanted for people to recognize that despite everything that we deal with day in and day out, we still are hopeful. Someday there will be a cure for diabetes, but until that day comes technology (like the insulin pump) will keep improving and allow our kids to live healthier, more normal lives. Any person who has the courage to make the choice to try something new and different is truly a remarkable person and this gives me even more hope.