Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak with clear voice as an everyday diabetic. As diabetics we must factor in the stresses and strains of everyday life with the fluctuations they cause to our condition. My core belief is that the Diabetes Industry has yet to fully come to terms with this (us), continuing to treat lightly the impact day-to-day living has on our health, and health has on our quality of life; overlooking the diabetic in the treatment of diabetes. Hey, that same thing happened to me and look out for this or don't feel bad about that. I've been through this already and it got me too but look on it like this and it's not so bad plus you can avoid it happening again in the future by - Taken from 'A book I wish someone had written' In essence, someone who understands my on-going needs; my potential and future difficulties, someone who has been around the block a few times who can advise or at least reminisce on the professional, social and personal challenges to be overcome should I wish to continue with any resemblance of normal life - more than that, an idyllic life. A friend who can talk me through getting over the worst of it - or at least getting on top of it, even if it may already be too late for them. And with that (and you) in mind I have written 'Persona non grata with diabetes,' a lowbrow walkthrough of real life with diabetes, hoping that from within these shared pages we are able to draw parallels and exchange in lifetime experience, exemplified throughout in life defining moments. None of which stray too far, if at all, from a life with diabetes but all of which touch on this condition in one way or another; offering comfort in the knowledge that what we are going through both physically and emotionally is shared by us all. Paul Cathcart - Diagnosed, class of 1993 http://www.pngwd.com/preface.html