In the Trenches: Diabetes Dad

I always loved this picture of Kitty.  The microphone was always as symbolic as it was practical describing Kitty because if there was a person with a true voice in the diabetes community; it was Kitty Castellini.  Thousands of hours of broadcasts and tireless efforts in advocating for you, me, and all of us in the diabetes community.

You can look around out there and read much of who Kitty was, the transplants she underwent, and the pain she lived through, but there is much more about what Kitty did for others out there than what she went through herself.  She shared her own story only in the context to show that she could live this life to the fullest, and therefore; so could anyone faced with this disease.

She would call with an idea, an undertaking, or a possibility worth exploring.  There was ways to get the word out there and there was also Kitty’s way.  Direct. Tireless. And with a warm smile.  Kitty’s way was as unique as it was wonderful.

Kitty left us recently, her husband notified the world on Kitty’s FB page, after a long, long battle; but with the people she influenced, myself included, her voice will be heard for a long time.  Rest my dear Kitty.  I think I speak on behalf of the entire diabetes community when I say thank you. We are surely a better diabetes community because you walked among us.

I am a diabetes dad.