[Brent44a]

I would imagine that the cure for diabetes would be particularly difficult since the problem lies within the body. A virus or bacteria would have an external origin and, therefore, I would think, easier to isolate and treat. Even then, most diseases are probably just treated, not cured. Not sure of the science but that's my guess anyway. I have not been promised a cure by any health care professional that I have seen so far, only that with proper medication and managment I can lessen the complications. And who among us would not like to walk away from this disease to be normal again!

Having said that, you have to admit that the world has made remarkable progress in disease prevention, quality of life issues, and even a few disease cures. I read somewhere that smallpox has been declared to be cured - years later than polio. Still, you have to admit that medical conditions that were once feared are now easily treated or avoided, like measles, malaria, chicken pox, dipteria, scarlet fever, whooping cough, cholera or even pnuemonia. While I wish for a cure for diabetes daily and struggle against it constantly, I choose to be grateful that I am alive today - I do not think that would have been possible 100 or 200 years ago.

I prefer to think of corporations like Animas (my personal heroes) as being a group of people very similar to me. Ordinary people that go to work every day, with the difference being that they bring hope to people that have a disease where once there was no hope. People that are working hard to bring even better devices into the marketplace that I look forward to.

Are there inequites in the availabilty of medical care, no doubt. Do some people profit unethically from others, sure. Is it all fair, no way. But I make the choice every day to be thankful for what I have been given, sometimes the day brings great and wonderful things and sometimes I'd rather not have to face things at all. To paraphrase Gandalf from Lord of the Rings (or should I say JRR Tolkien), ours is not to determine the time we live in, our duty lies in how we live in the time we are given.

Sorry for the long posts, this is simply how I feel. I promise I am not employed by a drug company nor do I profit from the medical field in any way. Unless, of course, you count the fact that I am alive today because of the work of others.

You guys are great and I am enouraged daily by reading the posts here. I feel like this is a group that understands what a lonely struggle it can be to deal with a disease no one wants and few understand. Thanks again for listening and being so friendly, understanding and caring.