Who is Tom 

         My brother Tom is currently six years old and was diagnosed with GSD type 1b when he was 8 months old. We live by the clock in our home. My parents need to feed Tom a cornstarch mixture every three hours to maintain his blood sugar. They cannot miss a feeding, oversleep through an alarm or leave the house without his tube and cornstarch ever, or the consequences would be catastrophic for him. He also has been hospitalized many times over the years since any stomach bug or bad infection can lead to days in the hospital. They care for him while trying to also keep up with me and my siblings, and our busy schedules. My oldest Brother James is a junior at Dartmouth College, and my younger sister Addie and I are both in high school, her in 10th and me in 12th grade. 
         Tom was also diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 and has trouble communicating his needs. He goes to a specialized school and receives ABA therapy at home. This adds another level of difficulty in trying to care for Tom because he cannot communicate to us when he doesn't feel well, or when something is wrong. 
         Through all of his struggles he is a very happy child. He loves to travel, play outside and feed our yellow lab Midas all his leftovers. A cure for GSD1b will help him enjoy a life free of feedings and hospitalizations, and allow everyone in my house to get a full nights sleep.