In his new book, Cheating Destiny: Living with Diabetes, America's Biggest Epidemic, James Hirsch pens a heartwarming and insightful, gut-wrenching and alarming first-hand account that should be on your short-list of "must read" books.
He writes not only of his 30 years of living well with Type 1, but the experiences of coping with the sudden diagnosis of diabetes in his 3-year-old son, Garrett. The obvious love and support that James has for Garrett radiates throughout the book. But, so does his sense of despair of not being able to protect his son from the pain and complications that accompanies diabetes even in the best managed of cases.
He writes, in addition, of his concern for the state of American health care in the 21st Century as we face an exploding diabetes epidemic. Our system responds well, he notes, to critical care emergencies, but sadly fails in dealing with chronic disorders. He offers valuable insights into the history of diabetes and how we arrived at this crisis point. His perspectives on the "politics of diabetes" is enough to make one scream. I did. Several times.
He paints a horizon filled with ominous storm clouds. But, through that darkness, some wonderful streaks of light appear in the heroic stories of real people, both medical professionals and patients, who merit our admiration and applause. The power shown by these people offer all the evidence required to be convinced that one person can make a difference The journey is not easy, but the outcomes are worthy of the effort.
Please read his book. You can find it on Amazon.
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