I am Samantha, I have been diabetic now for 30years, type 1 so I’ve had my share of illness. I am riddled with Neuropathy now the recent being Autonomic Neuropathy, I have worked in radio for 22 years of my life and loved it with such passion, but since getting Neuropathic joint disease in 2009 and my bones in my legs just crumbling I have been unable to work for the past 2 years. Through many long operations and metal skewers through my legs I have fought to save both my legs from amputation and last year I walked again even though fun could be had with a wheelchair, zooming down slopes etc lol. Anyway I am not writing this for sympathy, I just wanted to thank you Bret , as since I was a teenager many moons ago now, I have listened to your music and over the past few years you have spurred me on to dust myself down and carry on. Your music has been an inspiration to me and I have followed your life since I found out in my teens you had diabetes too. I felt back then as though if you could lead a rock star life with it there was hope I could have a normal life and carry on. So I did a rock chick thing working in radio loving every minute of it, these days I have those great memories to look back on and as my mum calls it burning the candle at both ends partying and working lol.

As I have said your music has kept me going for years and I just wanted to write to say thank you. Sending you a big hug and as we British say “onwards and upwards old chap!” Lol

Keep well and keep rocking!

Your ever faithful fan and fellow Diabetic Sam!

Samantha Rawstron

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