Why politics matters

[SCantiGOP]

Last Friday was perhaps the lowest day of my life, when I found out that my beautiful, happy little six year old daughter has diabetes. We're dealing with it now, and with proper care and medicine she can lead a totally normal and active life.
When the doctor sat down with us in the hospital to discuss the situation, he veered off from his standard talk in response to a question I had. Knowing that there was no "cure" for diabetes, I asked him if there were any technological advances possible that might one day allow my daughter to not have to take insulin every day. He said, "There is no cure, and currently there is no preventative steps for those who are predisposed to the disease. Now, I don't now what your politics are, and I'm not discussing politics here, but the only possible cure and prevention would come through stem cell research. I'll just point out that the current administration is doing everything it can to limit or prohibit stem cell research, so if you ever correspond with your congressmen, you might want to bring the subject up." I laughed, told him that my congressmen were quite tired of hearing from me on a regular basis, but that this would certainly become a major issue for me.
What this made me realize is that this is just one more way that bush and his cronies are killing people, either through policies designed to perpetuate their reign or through misguided religious and political agendas. The good news is that my apathetic 23 year old daughter, who didn't bother to vote in the last two elections, is now engergized over this issue and plans to make her anger felt in the voting booth. It made me realize that the chances of my children leading happy and fulfilling lives is directly tied to getting this group of thugs out of power and abandoning the viscious neocon agenda.

[SeattleDem]

1. wow - very moving

I'm sorry to hear that your daughter will have to deal with this illness the rest of her life. I wish you and your family the best.

I'm impressed the doctor had the courage to bring up the topic. Just like the separation of church and state, there needs to be a separation of church and science too. Who knows if stem cell research will turn out to be the cure, but until the best scientific minds we have study it, we're left with nothing and little room for hope.

thanks for sharing your story.

[PunkinPi]

2. Thank your for sharing.

You're absolutely right, stem cell research is very important in trying to find a cure for many (as of now) incurable illnesses. I know there are many individuals speaking out (to politicians) on this issue (including Mary Tyler Moore, Michael J. Fox and even Nancy Reagan)- which will hopefully make some progess into allowing this type of research.

Your story is more proof that the "personal is political". Best of luck to you and your family.

[PBinOregon]

3. Best to You and Your Family

We will turn this country around. We absolutely have to.