Testimony of LaNiece Evans-Scott

Many of the kids here today, like my friend Alex, worry about getting complications from juvenile diabetes when they get older. I am here to tell you that some of us, like me, already have serious complications from juvenile diabetes. I am LaNiece Evans-Scott from Backlick, Ohio. I am ten years old, and I have battled juvenile diabetes my entire life.

I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes after going into a coma when I was only 16 months old. I spent the first five years of my life in and out of hospitals. My mom had to learn how to give me shots and to take care of me. She hasn't been able to work because she has to take care of me all of the time. She drives me five hours to see a special doctor who helps me care for my diabetes.

I already have problems with my kidneys and I take medicine every day so that my kidneys won't fail. I worry about what will happen to my kidneys and what other complications I will face as I get older if a cure isn't found soon. I am also blind in one eye - not from diabetes, but I worry about what my diabetes will do to my other eye.

I have a lot of trouble in school because the teachers send me home when my blood sugar levels are bad. I am not bad! I am good! It is the diabetes that is bad! I do the best I can, but I am only a kid and diabetes is a horrible disease. I have fallen behind in school because I miss so many classes. I like school and I also like bowling. I have a lot of friends and I am on the bowling team.

I used to be shy about having juvenile diabetes, but I have learned that I must tell my story to important people like you so you know how serious diabetes is and why a cure is important. I want a cure so that I can be like all of my friends and go to sleepovers and birthday parties. I want a cure so I can go to school every day without worrying about being sent home. I want a cure so my mom won't worry so much about me and can go back to work.

I don't have time to wait. Please promise to remember me. Promise to remember all of us. Thank you.