Suffering not ‘meant to be’

In Angella Breithaupt’s letter (“Don’t fight nature’s way,” Jan. 31), she stated her opinion on embryonic stem cell research. While I have a different opinion, I can respect hers. However, when she states, “If someone has a disease it was meant to be,” I must object.

Evidently, Ms. Breithaupt does not have loved ones with a chronic disease. I’m not so fortunate. I have a child with juvenile diabetes, diagnosed at age 9.

It’s incredibly insulting she thinks it was meant to be that my child would be insulin-dependent via multiple daily shots or an insulin pump for the rest of her life, or that she must prick her finger six to 12 times a day, that she must know the carbohydrates of every morsel of food she puts in her mouth, or that she realize that kidney disease, blindness, amputation, etc., are the realities of this disease.

I will never accept that my daughter’s disease was “meant to be” and will advocate for continued research until my dying breath.

I don’t worry about what “could happen.” It’s already happened. I look forward to the advancement in the scientific research so she can live life as it was meant to be.

Illa Davis

Spokane