The Lack of Public Education about Diabetes (I & II)

As I had time to scroll through the news this morning, I came across a family's fight with the B.C. school board regarding the care of their diabetic son. Little did I know this would end up taking up so much of my time today. I've been busy posting comments and responses.

I certainly managed to get the attention of some very closed-minded persons, especially one in particular, krys263. He is the kind of person that I live to encounter both in person and on-line. Because of people like him, I find a reason to fight for change of public perception. It also inspires me to go further, maybe local politics. I know that is definitively going to happen. Just not sure when yet.

Here are some examples of what is little krys263's head:

1. Children with Diabetes are not " normal".

2. Parents are creating a cruel fantasy to tell their children with the illness that they live healthy lives.

3. That it's not a teacher's responsibility to make sure your children are safe and kept healthy in school. You, as parents, need to be available at anytime of the day to go to school and take care of your responsibilities.

And it just goes on and on and on. Please go and read the negative commentators. Let the first-mentioned know how you feel about this. Let me know how you feel about this.

As we are in different stages of fundraising for Diabetes, across Canada and North America, this article is a perfect example and opportunity to get the word out about research needed to help our children, adults, grandparents, etc, towards that "normal" life. And to educate the uneducated about the causes, the treatments and the options for Diabetes I & II.

Sadly, even in the health profession, misconception and lack of knowledge is predominate. I've personally encountered nurses who had no idea how to check blood sugar or even what the numbers meant. And yet they went to school for this stuff.

And then we have 12 yr old Connor AED1, who stated this:

"I am 12 and have diabetes and wear a pump. It seems stupid that some schools can take care of it and others don't want to make an effort to learn a few things."

Out of the mouth of babes, comes clarity and truth. Take Connor's insight and help him and our children to spread some enlightenment to us now-blind adults. Children lose their innocence because of adults and the lessons they learn from these same adults. Yet those adults want to know what is wrong with our youth today. This was also the problem when I was a teenager. But I was listening and it made me a better person for it.

Connor, you are a smart cookie who is not blind to the wrongs of world. Do your best for yourself and those you love. Never forget your fellow man whether you know them or not. We all need help and understanding somewhere down the line.

Where & How to Make Donations for Diabetes...

It's week 2 for the campaign to raise awareness of Diabetes and Research for the cure of Type I. Some of the more useful sites I've found include:

Alberta Diabetes Foundation
Canadian Diabetes Association
Stollery Hospital - Diabetes Clinic Virtual Tour
The Cash Store - (Donations in-store locations across Alberta)


The basic factors of living with either Type I &Type II is the balance between (1) diet, (2) moderate regular exercise, & (3) proper management of sugar/insulin levels in the body. (4 to 8 - Feeling great!) A good support system is also required for the balance of these factors and that's where donations come in. Donations go to continuing programs providing help in monitoring a patient's balance of their lifestyle and management and make adjustment suggestions if necessary. Resources are made available through donations. Diabetes may cause stress and tension, like any illness. Support systems providing avenues to discuss first-hand the effects on yourself and/or loved ones. Encouragement and personal experience can be shared with others who are living similar situations.

Research is always the driving force of any fundraiser and Diabetes should not be any different. Advancement in Stem Cell Research as a possible cure has been more than promising. Unfortunately, it has also been underfunded, partially due to public opinion on stem cell research, in general. This is showing itself to be one of the most promising leads for a cure yet since the invention of the process of insulin ((Dr. Banting & co-inventors)) in 1922.


So visit any or all the above-mentioned sites, even if it's only to inform yourself better of early warning signs of Type II (anybody can develop this illness and the numbers are on the rise in Canada).

Links For Information on Diabetes...

I've come to the understanding that most parents are unaware  how much Diabetes Type II is becoming a primary health concern for Canadian children. "Children & Type II Diabetes" - Canadian Diabetes Association is for every parent to read and know. Diabetes II is a reversable disease when detected early.

I also strongly suggest that anybody who a caregiver, teacher, co-worker to teenager or young adult with Diabetes Type I, take the time to read   "Teens & Diabetes" - Canadian Diabetes Association  It gives a well written description of some of the stresses and worries that come with the disease.

If you need to share your own experience with the disease, if you're struggling to understand what a loved one is going through, or just to become part of the support team, go visit  "Juvenation" . It's a great site where you could find the right group or person to give you find the support you need.

Nobody should ever have to endure any hardship alone, least a child. Give them encouragement, guideance and learn with them as they grow. You are the image they will be as adults. And as you go to bed tonight, whomever you might be, please remember. Just in the blink of an eye, your life could change forever.

Where to Donate...

Canadian Diabetes Association  - Check this website for all and any information on Diabetes, both Type I and Type II. There's also a convenient section on various ways to make a one-time donation and/or more.

Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that turns what we eat and drink into energy. Insulin is produced in the pancreas. When the pancreas stops producing insulin, Diabetes Type I occurs. The process of man-made insulin was invented by Dr. Frederick Banting, Dr. Charles Best, Dr. James Collip and Prof. John James Richard Mcleod, at the University of Toronto, in 1921-22.

Since this  invention, not much progress has been made in finding a true cure for Type I. There is research going on, although lack of funding is making the journey very slow. There is a way and you can help. Please donate this month and help Diabetes Research attain another Canadian first.

Diabetes awareness in Alberta

All of November, I will try my best, on a daily basis, to promote the awareness of Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. A large portion of the world population now has or knows somebody who has Type 2 or even worse, Type 1. Yet Diabetes is very misunderstood, often misjudged and discarded as a disease.

My son was diagnosed October 16, 2006, after so many months of signs, complaints from teacher, family members of out of control fits, sudden changes of behavior, etc. Ironically, 5 days prior to diagnosis, I remember mentioning to his caregiver I wanted him tested for Diabetes in particular.

He developed a flu-like fever, couldn't keep anything in his stomach yet was starving for food. His consumption of water was incessant (vomiting most of it, shortly after). I watched him quickly lose his already scarce body fat. He lost approximately 14 lbs in less than 5 days when his caregiver brought him into an emergency room in St. Alberta, Edmonton. (Note: I'll always be grateful, Terry)

As recounted to me through the caregiver, it's pure chance that a particular doctor was on call that day. Upon seeing my son, he immediately ordered him into a bed and asked for diabetic testing to be done A.S.A.P.

This saved my son's life. He was stabilized and moved the Stollery's Childerns' Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. And that's where all our lives, especially my boy's, changed forever.

Know the signs. If Type 2 is detected early enough, this condition can be reversed. Ask your doctor if you think you may have this type and start your road to the way you want to live.

For more information on the life long care of Type 1 Diabetes please go visit    Juvenile Diabetes . Let's set things in motion towards more research and public awareness of a disease that is developing as fast as our population is mutiplying. More links to come.

Diabetes Month - November

Make a donation during National Diabetes Month.Please help in the search for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Make a donation at any IGA or other grocery store. Only $2 at IGA. Very little to give for a disease that changes a child's life forever. Diabetes is often misunderstood and unnoticed by society because you can't physically see the illness. No illness is more important than another yet, such a small percentage of donations go towards Diabetes research. Let's start changing this. What if it was your loved one? For me, it's my youngest son. Please give. And thank you so much to those who have.