Gabe Reslock's Story

by Nicolle Reslock
Grand Ledge, Mich.

With a blank sheet of paper in front of him, I asked my 9-year-old son Gabe to write about his favorite part of the Children's Congress we recently attended in Washington , D.C. , to advocate for increased funding of juvenile diabetes research. Not wanting to steer him in any way, I left him completely alone to think about those magnificent days spent with 149 other children and families dealing with diabetes. In my mind, I wondered what he would write about. There were so many different things to choose from. The absolute empowerment that the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) gives the children by letting them tell their stories about living with diabetes and why Congress needs to give money to help find a cure, the friendships that are made, the famous people that are met, the new environment that is being seen...the list kept going on within my mind.

Then Gabe brought me his now no longer blank sheet of paper. Here is what he wrote:

After I wiped away my tears, I asked Gabe "Why was that your favorite part of Children's Congress?" "I really liked singing on the U.S. Capital lawn with all the other kids with diabetes. I really like music, mom," he replied. And then I began crying again. That moment was not one that had crossed my mind as one that would be among his favorites. It was one of my more stressful days there. It was the first full day we were in Washington, D.C.

Nicolle and Gabe in Washington, D.C.

We were supposed to have met downstairs for breakfast at 7 a.m. and gotten on the bus at 8:45 a.m. to be transported to the U.S. Capital. However, after a sleepless night of high blood sugars and a cramping stomach, Gabe and I finally fell asleep around 6 a.m. only to awaken at 9:15 a.m. in a panic. We called the first number on the back of our name badge - Dr Kushner - who not only calmed me down and helped me with Gabe's situation but got me directions to the U.S. Capitol. We took a cab to the U.S. Capitol and made it to the performance on time. No shower, no breakfast, Gabe wore the same clothes from the day before and his blood sugar was 593.

The children got up onto the bleachers, each of them in their beautiful, bright yellow tee-shirts. It was 96 degrees and humid. Gabe walked off before the actual singing began. "Momma, I am gonna get sick." Thankfully JDRF was prepared for everything and Dr. Kushner, one of three volunteer doctors, and another volunteer offered to help. We stood in the shade as Gabe became ill on the Capitol Lawn just as Ms. Mary Tyler Moore began speaking.

Then, after just a few minutes, Gabe found enough courage and strength and got back up on the bleachers before the singing began and finished the performance with the other children. After the performance everyone went back to the hotel. Gabe and I went back to our room, quickly showered, regrouped and got ourselves back on track. The energy from the other families around us helped push us forward. We were, seemingly for the first time, not alone. Nor were we afraid to be tired and mad at this disease because we were surrounded by 149 other families that have been and continue to go through similar circumstances. I didn't have to explain anything to anyone, we all just understood.

Fortunately, his blood sugars leveled out and we were able to focus on our tasks at hand. However, this moment, the moment that I look at as one of many that robs my son of his childhood and one that he looks at as one of his favorite parts of Children's Congress, is what Children's Congress is all about.

It is in finding that special moment within yourself where your life, no matter what is happening, triumphs over diabetes. Maybe it is speaking in front of large audiences, talking to a celebrity or flying on a plane. It shouldn't have surprised me that for Gabe, that moment comes in the form of music. He has always loved music of all genres, and he probably gets that from me. From the moment I could hold a flute in my hands I was playing it all the way to my college years. I even played it for Gabe when he was an infant. His second-grade teacher plays the guitar, Gabe owns a guitar and he loved watching and listening to Steve Wariner play his guitar at Children's Congress. Music has the ability to change your moods; it can soothe you, spice up your attitude, set the tone, or help you relive a moment in history. It is a very powerful work of art, when done right, just as we saw on the U.S. Capitol lawn when 150 children and 3 celebrities sang "Promise to Remember Me." And, my son, in one of his scarier diabetic moments, used music to triumph over diabetes. Now that is a moment I will hold with me forever.

I am a registered nurse. As a health care provider, it is my duty to protect and preserve the sanctity of human life. It is a commitment that is sacred to me. Currently, diabetes accounts for 810 deaths every 24 hours. It is incomprehensible to me how those who oppose this research say they are protecting life when their beliefs jeopardize the lives of so many innocent children.

Our state is blessed to have some of the best and brightest researchers in the world. Gabe and I are hopeful that someday, researchers in Michigan may find a cure for diabetes and other diseases. Until that day comes, I will remain dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes through advocacy, awareness, education and empowerment and by stressing the need for stem cell research.

To learn more about Gabe visit his website at www.GabesGuardians.com.