When Jean Belair’s daughter Annie was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, Jean searched for ways to help her feel supported. Now their story helps other kids feel less alone! Here, she shares her story with Woman’s World.
This can’t be happening! Jean Belair’s heart cried as she choked back sobs in the privacy of her bathroom. She had just brought her 8-year-old daughter, Annie, home from an overnight stay in the hospital after several days of weakness, frequent urination and unquenchable thirst.
Type 1 diabetes? I never knew a child this young could have this condition! Jean thought.
Adjusting to a diabetes diagnosis
After Annie’s juvenile diabetes diagnosis, the happy-go-lucky little girl was overwhelmed with anxiety. She had to carry supplies to monitor her blood sugar and even administer her own insulin shots when needed.
“I just want to feel like a normal kid,” Annie despaired.
Through all the learning and adjusting, Jean couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for Annie. She began hunting for a children’s book about diabetes that would comfort her daughter and show her she was not alone. But to Jean’s dismay, she couldn’t find a single one—so Jean eventually gave up.
As Annie grew into adulthood, Jean kept going back to the idea of a children’s book about juvenile diabetes and how much it could help kids who were struggling.
Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. She began writing a 72-page manuscript entitled D for Diabetes, with her brother, Tom Bellair, handling the art design. The inspiring story featured Annie as the star character.
A new purpose
After self-publishing the book in 2024, Jean held a launch at a local bookstore. Friends, family, other children with diabetes and their parents all celebrated the book and shared how it gave hope through Annie’s story.
Jean also promoted the book on social media and her website, AnnieAndFriendsAdventures.com. Soon, positive feedback started rolling in. What a great story! She is a hero! wrote one young fan.
Very informative and entertaining. A great read for T1D kids! commented another.
Seeing how many lives Annie’s story was touching, Jean published the second book in the Annie and Friends’ Adventures series called Dollars for Diabetes, and she was elated when it also received rave reviews—especially from kids.
Today, Annie, 28, has followed her passion for music and is a high school band director.
“This journey has been incredible,” Jean shares. “We’ve met so many people whose lives have been impacted by Type 1 diabetes. It’s overwhelming to see how many children are still being diagnosed, but I hold on to hope that research will not only bring better treatments, but also a better life for everyone with diabetes—and one day, a cure!”
