I am always fascinated by the personal stories of those suffering from diabetes. From their stories you will easily notice the underlying strength, acceptance and the unending will to go on and beat life itself.

One such story is of Michael Hearn. Michael was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (on October 21, 1991) at the very young age of three:

I could explain the helpless feelings of low blood sugar or the nauseating feelings of a high blood sugar. I could discuss the complications; blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, amputation. To name a few.

I could tell you this because that's a typical day for a person living with diabetes.

However, what I can't tell you is what it's like living without diabetes. It's the only life I've ever known.

Isn't that an admirable attitude? It really pays to be always positive even in the face of diabetes.

Read Michael's diabetes story.

[In Photo: Lilly, age 5, diagnosed in February 2005 and Michael, age 19, diagnosed in October 1991. Photo taken by Jacob Belcher at JDRF's 25th Annual Main Event Gala.]