Children across America Advocate for a Cure for Juvenile Diabetes at First JDF Children's Congress. My name is LaNisha Patterson, and I am 10 years old. I've had diabetes for almost six years. Juvenile diabetes is a deadly disease.
People can go blind and have other problems from juvenile diabetes.
I always hoped that diabetes would go away like a cold, but it doesn't. I used to cry when I got fingerpokes and shots. My mom and dad used to cry, and we would all pray together. Sometimes I am hungry, but I have to wait to eat because my blood sugar is high. Sometimes I am not hungry, but I have to eat because it is time.