The story of the Coury family

by Cathy Coury
Caledonia, Mich.

We are the Coury family. We are an average West Michigan family including mother, father, three boys and a dog.

We never dreamed we would be the parents of two diabetic children, but now it is hard to remember life before insulin pumps, blood testing, shots, and carbohydrate counting.

All was normal in our world April 1, 1998. Spencer was five and getting ready for kindergarten. Gabriel was four and enjoying his first year at preschool. Both boys were preparing for a new brother who was due at the end of the month.

April 2 our world changed. Gabe would do nothing but drink and began vomiting. The doctor sent us to the hospital with a diagnosis of diabetes. We had no idea how much our world had just changed. Gabe was rushed to ICU. His blood sugar dropped just from the re-hydrating with the IV. The next day he began receiving insulin and we found out how much we had to learn. We were overwhelmed to say the least.

We were beginning to adjust to this new routine when Nicholas was born, exactly one month after Gabriel's diagnosis. Things were starting to level out when we realized Nick was waking up soaking wet. It just couldn't be. There was no diabetes in either of our families. It couldn't be happening again.

Aug. 18, 1999 and the prick of a toe confirmed we were wrong. Nicholas was diagnosed with diabetes at 15 months old.

We started the boys on insulin pumps in 2001. They have accepted this, and all of the challenges presented to them like the little champs they are. We have become involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. They have realized they don't have to sit and wait for someone else to solve their problems. The boys speak with large and small groups about their lives with diabetes. They raise money by going door to door in our neighborhood. Sometimes they simply hold the hand of someone with diabetes and offer their support and a smile. They have embraced whatever has come their way and they have become their own advocates. They are working to find a cure.

On behalf of my family, I ask that you consider the strength of my sons when you think about embryonic stem cell research. If researchers are allowed to explore every option, it will move them that much closer to a possible cure. We are anxious for the day when diabetes is a memory.