After a heartbreaking postponement for millions of American families, the U.S. Congress finally passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810), only to have President Bush issue his first veto, which was sustained in the House. The fight, and the heartbreaks, will continue because most Americans feel it is clearly time to ease federal funding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.
For my family, the stakes are personal. Our 14-year-old son Matt has Type 1 diabetes, the most critical form of the disease, which cannot be controlled by exercise or diet. Matt was diagnosed with Type 1 eight months ago. As a dedicated athlete who has spent three hours a day, five days a week for the past six years committed to his sport, and qualifying for four consecutive national skating championships, Matt had already experienced several “life lessons” about overcoming obstacles to achieve your goals. He took this one, a big one, in stride. He continues to skate hard and compete successfully. He, like others, learned to accept the reality of “managing” diabetes and not allowing it to dictate or restrict their lives. This is truth that requires an asterisk.
