Testimony of Colleen Rea

Good morning. My name is Colleen Rea. I'm from Stamford, Connecticut, and it is an honor to appear before you today with my four-year-old son Dylan. Dylan and I are here today, along with all of these children, to tell you why finding a cure for juvenile diabetes is so important. You see, I know all too well about the devastation of diabetes. Diabetes has followed me and has haunted my family for three generations.

When I was a child, I found glass syringes in my house and was told that my grandfather, who died before I was born, had diabetes. When I was a young woman, my mother called and asked me to meet her at the hospital emergency room. My mother was being admitted for the first time because of her diabetes. When I saw her, she was scared! So was I! Within ten years and many hospital stays and operations later, I was told my mother was dying. It took only ten years for diabetes to kill my mother.

When my son Dylan was diagnosed with Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes at fourteen months old- less than two years after my mother died - I was devastated. It was almost more than I could bear. I knew what diabetes had done to my grandfather. I had seen what diabetes had done to my mother.

We are very diligent in trying to treat Dylan's diabetes. But controlling blood sugar levels in a toddler is impossible because there are so many variables. There are always times when Dylan's blood sugar is dangerously high or frighteningly low. He wears an insulin pump 24 hours a day. We check his blood sugar at least eight times a day. There are precious few who are able to babysit him. My husband and I must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Diabetes never takes a break, and neither can we. We are Dylan's pancreas.

While we are concerned about Dylan's physical health, we also worry about his emotional health. Dylan may grow up, live a long life, have a great and fulfilling career, and a wife and children of his own one day. But we know in our hearts that, despite our best efforts, he may be denied all of that. Either way, he has this day and this childhood, and I want it to be wonderful.

We walk a tightrope in caring for Dylan - help our child feel love and joy when we are continually assaulting his body with needles and lancets; give our child hope and faith in the face of fear and disease; tell Dylan he is healthy but needs medicine every day, all day, to survive.

I know that a cure is possible and within reach. I hope that it will be found soon so that Dylan and all of these children will live a long and fulfilling life. This is my greatest wish and why we are here today to ask for your help and support in our quest for a cure.

Thank you.