You name it; we’ve got it

My dad picks up the phone to hear the panicked voice of my cousins new wife Jenna. “Adam is sick again. I’m taking him to the hospital.”  “Okay,” he said, “We’ll be right there.” 

Familial Dysautonomia, Brain Tumor, Ulcer, Mental Disorder. You name it; someone in my family has it. My cousin Dina and I are the only ones in my family that don’t have a serious illness. Knowing that the people closest to me are constantly in danger of losing their lives, but no one seems scared shows me a lot about my family. They are all so strong. It amazes me that my cousins can look their disease in the eye and not break down.  I think that part of their strength comes from everyone else. We sort of have a family support system. If someone is in the hospital, they will never spend a minute alone. Family will fly out from across the country, even if no one asks them too.  No disease can hurt us when we are all together.