Some of you may remember a post from earlier this year, Ride for Jules II, where I spoke about a woman I’ve known since I was born and whose family is like my own, Julie Misarendino, and how she is suffering from diabetes. Here’s a snippet from the newspaper report I was quoting in that post:

Swampscott resident Julie Miserandino spends three days a week on kidney dialysis, has had three operations to restore circulation in her legs, the toes on her right foot have been amputated and in the last year plus has spent combined 8.5 months’ stay at the hospital, rehabilitation center and nursing home, all as a result of diabetes.

Well, just a couple of weeks ago, Julie had her right leg amputated to up above the knee. But she’s not letting that stop her. Her youngest son, Marty, has uploaded a video of Julie’s rehabilitation process to YouTube, and though she’s just had her leg amputated, you can see that she hasn’t lost the spirit that all of us love so much.

While we’re here, I want to give you all a link to the Ride for Jules III. Organized by Marty, the Ride for Jules is a nationwide spin-a-thon that has raised $69,238 (and counting!) for the American Diabetes Association. The next ride will be in March 2007. For more information on how you can help, visit Ride for Jules. If you don’t want to wait until March to help out, here’s a direct link to the donation page for the ADA. Diabetes affects 20.8 million children and adults in the United States. As the ADA says on their site, “The generosity of our donors is vital as we continue our efforts to search for a cure, help people with diabetes, and invest in the health of future generations.”

As you fight your way back to health, Julie, know that the hopes and prayers of everyone on Fluid Imagination are with you.