Congressman Zack Space – Ohio – You are truly an inspiration

I would like to thank the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for inviting me to contribute to their Children's Congress blog. Children's Congress is an important way to raise awareness among elected officials about the issues surrounding juvenile diabetes. This blog will be an excellent opportunity for those involved in Children's Congress and everyone in the diabetes community to share their experiences. We all know that when we come together, we are better able to face our everyday challenges.

As a newly elected member of Congress I work with a broad spectrum of issues affecting Americans' everyday lives. But with a 16-year-old that suffers from juvenile diabetes, this is one issue that affects me so personally. My son is no different than any other teenager; he remains active with his friends but never complains about receiving shots or injections. He is truly an inspiration to me.

In January I spoke about this disease and shared my story on the House Floor. I challenged my colleagues to support greater funding for Stem Cell Research so that we can better understand juvenile diabetes and other diseases that cause our families such pain. I will always support the cause of JDRF in my work in Congress and will urge my colleagues to do the same. Raising awareness for juvenile diabetes is they key to finding a cure and programs like Children's Congress are leading the charge.

I look forward to reading contributions to this blog and will continue to remain active in the JDRF cause.

To learn more about Rep. Space, please visit his website at www.house.gov/space.