As a mostly blind father, not due to diabetes, with a son that has type 1 -- this really hit close to home. I was diagnosed at 16 with retinitis pigmentosa, or RP for short. I am now 33 and have very little sight left, will probably be totally blind in the next ten years. I won't lie, it's been a struggle. The author of this piece describes the experience very well. But like her, I've been able to be a productive software engineer for the past 15 years and hope to continue.

For those who can't imagine anything worse than losing your sight, I can assure you that you're wrong. It's no picnic, but I can imagine much worse predicaments. Not having to look at yourself in the mirror anymore can actually be liberating.

Frankly, the toughest part about being blind is the stigma around it. I've lost jobs because my blindness made people uncomfortable. I've been turned away from job interviews because the interviewer didn't think I could do the job without giving me a chance to prove otherwise. Most people are great about it and are very empathetic. But there's still the occasional person who avoids me like the plague.

As for my type 1 son, I hope I provide enough of a dose of reality for him to stay on top of his blood sugar.