Diabetes Leaves Oregon Teens Without Parents

So much has happened to young Lacey Menozzi in such a short time. In recent weeks, she turned 18 and graduated from Sisters High School.

There was no time for celebration, however. She has been busy trying to step into adult shoes and care for her 15-year-old brother, Josh.

Lacey and Josh’s mother, Lillie, died in March after a long battle with diabetes. Two weeks ago, their father, John, who also had diabetes, died, too.

Lacey and Josh both suffer from dia betes, and the fatigue and illness that accompanies it. Together, they try to cope with the loss of their parents.

For the Menozzi family, worry, fear and sickness have been the norm for years. Their dad was unable to walk or work following extensive knee surgery. Their mom suffered from diabetes and hepatitis C, which destroyed her liver and kidneys. Lillie died March 8 at age 40. Within weeks, Lacey began to notice the same symptoms in her father.

“All he wanted to do was sleep,” Lacey said. “He was always tired. I thought he was just depressed.”

Then, on Mother’s Day, the 49-year-old man went into a coma. He began losing use of his kidneys and liver, as his wife had, and Josh and Lacey were terrified.

While her friends celebrated graduation and the start of summer, Lacy found herself preparing for the worst, searching for important paperwork and trying to stay strong for her younger brother.

“I had no idea what bills I had to pay because Dad knew where everything was.”

Their parents, who had been supporting the family on $820 a month, had no savings, life insurance or significant estate to leave behind. If it weren’t for a federal rent subsidy, the family wouldn’t have housing.

After a church-organized trip to Mexico to build a house for the homeless, Lacey plans to work part time and attend Central Oregon Community College.

“Most of their day-to-day needs are being taken care of,” said Claudia Valiquet, a close family friend. “What they need most now,” she said, “is a college fund so they can pursue their dreams.”