Where are his parents in all of this? I encourage you to contact the diabeties association. They will have all the information you need. It sounds like this boy needs a wake up call. He is like all teens and thinks nothing bad can happen to him because he's young. He needs to know the complications of diabeties and besides diabetic shock there are a lot of serious complications. He needs to know that diet and exercise can sometimes cut out the needles. It is not just sugar--although there are 16 tablespoon of sugar in a can of pop. It is carbs too. The best thing your son can do is play sports with this boy or encourage him to get active in some way by doing things with him. Don't even mention diabeties just do fun active things. Talk to your son too. He needs to know that as much as we try to help others we can only do so much to help. The other person has to take ownership of his own problems. As much as he wants to he can't do it by himself.

I don't know your situation or your friend's so I'm not sure I can offer anything that would be directly applicable. I will offer one situation I, myself, did have with a close relative that may show some similarities. Talking about people their 60's, here. I am a full-time care-giver for my aged mother. When our relative came to visit, it took me an hour to clean up the damned bathroom after he'd left us. I have too much to do already to have this thrust upon me as well. He's a fine fellow -- always has been -- but this had to stop. I told him I'd love him 'til the end of time but I didn't think I had to clean up after him like this. It really was something he needed to pay more attention to because I already had too much to do. Perhaps similar to your good friend, my relative and I are very close although our lives are lived differently. In this case, perhaps as with your friend, this was an issue of his that had become mine due his obliviousness. He just wasn't paying attention, and my bringing it up to him caused him to pay attention. Didn't dwell on it, just laid it out and dealt with it. We haven't spoken of it again. Everything's fine, now. The close relationship didn't change. "Friends" should be able to handle stuff like this. Most stuff we just let go but if a "biggie" comes up -- and that's what you've described -- I don't think it should be let pass.

So sorry to hear this. It may be too late for Brad to try the therapy in the link, but take a look at it. LDN is safe in the low doses prescribed, with very few if any side effects. According to this study it was very sucessfull in treating Crohn's patients. It's cheap too, so even if insurance wouldn't pay (since it would be an off-label use at this time) his family could easily afford it. Sending good thoughts for Brad!!! Here is a link that might be useful: LDN and Crohn's

That's very neat! I thought I remembered that Andy was your only son but that could really fool someone! Can you imagine having two more just like him?? LOL He's a nice looking young man, by the way. Bettye/AZ