Gideon was diagnosed in February 2002 shortly after his 7th birthday. During the first week of injections he always placed his hand on his forehead, closed his eyes and quietly said something to himself as he prepared for the needle --which he dreaded. One day, I asked him what he was saying to himself. He said, "I'm telling myself I have to do this if I want to live." I am not aware that anyone ever laid out the facts that graphically for him, however, he obviously grasped the gravity of the situation.

These days, blood tests are just another "thing" he does and injections are much less traumatic than they were in the beginning. It amazes us to see how quickly Gideon has adjusted to the challenges inherent in having Type 1 diabetes--he faces this disease with amazing courage, humor and honesty.