Sam Bearman: Our Stories Need To Be Shared

Because we look like normal kids, I expect that our legislators might not understand the importance of funding research at first. But once they hear our stories, I think that we will change the way they feel about diabetes.  Each and every one of us has our own story and each story has its own way of making people feel like they should help us. 

I am hoping I can change their way of thinking with my story.  For the last ten years, my parents and I have written letters to family and friends telling them of my life with diabetes and have asked for donations to the JDRF.  We have raised over a quarter of a million dollars for diabetes research. It is hard to tell people about my diabetes, but I think it is important for them to know hard it is to live with it.  I think a cure will be found sooner if we don't hide our diabetes from people and we all work together.

I am looking forward to hearing other people's stories. The only story I have heard so far is my own.  I want to hear if others' stories are like mine or if they are different.  It would be reassuring to me if most of the stories were like mine.  I wouldn't feel like I am the only one. 

Read Sam's delegate profile.