A Message from Our Founder:
We all live day to day, acting out the one thing that is unique to us... our story.
Our story is ours. Regardless of circumstances, we live out our story every moment
of every day. Along the way, we are given opportunities to impact the stories of others
for the good or bad.
This chapter in my story started when my 7 year old daughter, McGwire, in March 2006,
was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. This little seven year old girl has inspired me with
her bravery and courage. Although she is forced to bear the burdens of this insidious life
altering, life threatening disease and live a life of finger pokes, shots, restrictions,
and worries that children should not have to concern themselves with, she still wakes up
each and every day with a smile.
Now McGwire is placed in a world of medical procedure, protocol and treatment and things
that I had never known existed before are now critical to the survival of my daughter and
the emotions that go with that are quite intense. During one of McGwire's hospital stays,
my friend Mary Kay gave me a lovely card with her special words of support, along with a
bookmark that stated "Life Shrinks or Expands in proportion to one's Courage." She will
probably never fully realize the impact that her little package of encouragement had on me.
These circumstances have reminded me that we all can have a powerful impact in the lives
of others, if we are also brave, and we live our story to the fullest to create a life full
of meaning and purpose. We all have opportunities to do so much more if we choose to.
We wish to thank our families and friends for all of their encouragement and prayers.
For our beautiful daughter, McGwire, please know that while you're growing up,
we will do everything we can to enable you to have good times,
newfound joys and enriching experiences, in spite of being robbed by this disease and the
fact that your childhood has been interrupted. Always know that your courage and strength
has inspired the creation of Kids With Courage. It is now our family's lifelong commitment
to positively impacting the lives of children and families who live each and every day with
Type 1 Diabetes.
Daphna Bottcher
Founder, Kids With Courage
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