A narrative poem written by Nicole, age 12, on February 22, 2006.

Diabetes Won’t Stop Me

About five years ago

a tear in my dad’s eye

and the look of fear.

Why did I see fear?

A trip to the hospital for me,

then I saw my own fear.

I was diagnosed…

with type 1 diabetes.

My mom was strong

she helped me and my dad

with our fear.

A shot – everyday.

A sad and scary time for me.

One shot in the morning,

one shot at dinner,

and one shot at bedtime.

Everyday.

A finger poke,

another finger poke,

poke, poke, poke.

Everyday.

For the rest of my life.

My stomach is like a pincushion,

and my fingertips have calluses.

Learning to live with my diabetes.

It’s been hard.

Everything seemed so unfair to me.

Now it’s been five years

my life was changed forever,

but my life isn’t over.

I can live with diabetes,

I won’t let it stop me.

Now I help raise money

for a cure that is badly needed.

A cure will be found

I’m sure of this.

Until that time…

diabetes won’t stop me.