The confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as a Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court is a milestone for the millions of Americans living with diabetes. Justice Sotomayor was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes at the age of 8. As the parent of a 20-year-old daughter who was diagnosed at age 11, it's an achievement I hold very close to my heart. My daughter, Alex, needle-pricks her fingers to test her blood glucose level more than 1,500 times per year and gives herself more than 2,000 insulin shots per year just to stay alive. Juvenile diabetes is not outgrown, and insulin is not a cure.
As a result of clinical advances and research progress, people with type 1 diabetes can lead full and successful lives. Role models show children and adults living with diabetes that they can achieve anything in life: Olympic Gold medal winners, Oscar-nominated actresses, Ironman tri-athletes, and leading CEOs. Now someone who lives with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes has proven that she can become a member of the highest court in our country.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects children, adolescents, and adults. It isn't an easy life, but every day, there are new examples that there are few, if any, limitations on what people with type 1 diabetes can accomplish.
Justice Sotomayor's confirmation serves as inspiration for the more than 3 million Americans living with type 1 diabetes.
8/14/09 ChicagoTribune, Karen Case
