It amazes me sometimes when media skips something so crucial to our diabetes world. Nothing would make me happier than when this story is read, media sources who are so much more significant that my little column here reach out to these two women for the simple reason; their story needs to be read, seen, heard, and witnessed. People need to know that when they make the decision to “just not do nothing“; they can, and do, make a difference.
Many entities and people helped get this to California Governor’s desk (Diabetes Advocate Brett Michaels being just one), but before Senate Bill 97 became part of the highest level of funding bill in California history as part of a whopping 123.9 billion dollars for grades K-12, it started as just an idea. Moms Debbie George and Michelle Thornburg knew that the world could do better at recognizing the early onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D). They knew that it was needed to have the complicated conversations with doctors, nurses, teachers, and school staff on what type 1 diabetes entails, and provide a better understanding of the disease to help ensure the safety of their children, Sierra and Dylan. In doing so, they changed the parameters of diabetes education for all children in the state of California forever…….and it is up to the rest of the world to continue the battle……..but now, there is a treasure map to the promised land of riches; breaking down the misunderstood world we all know with our children living with T1D. Two moms said, “ENOUGH, WE CAN AND WILL DO MORE!”
Years ago when Little Reegan passed away from undiagnosed diabetes, her mom and legislatures in North Carolina passed an unprecedented bill regarding diabetes education. Both moms were in touch with those responsible back then in 2015 and made it their mission to take the same framework of the Reegan’s Rule law in North Carolina, build upon it, and move it through the governing halls of California’s State Capitol. A massive undertaking over five years in the making. When one starts this process, they start out as an advocate. The process is full of twists, turns, setbacks, successes, loneliness, promises of being helped also being broken; all out weighed by one concept, to get the job done. Upon finishing the job, these same advocates are then classified as experts because basically, they did the impossible. They took an idea, a much needed concept, and they made it law. Period.
The law states (click here to read the entire diabetes portion of the bill): The department, in coordination with any other entity the department deems appropriate, shall develop type 1 diabetes informational materials for the parents and guardians of pupils. The informational materials shall be made available to each school district, county office of education, and charter school through the department’s internet website.
THIS IS NOW A LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
For all time, every state now has a road map to do the same. What began with Little Reegan, then moved to Pennsylvania with the efforts of another mom, Debbie Healey, has now graduated to the big time with a law specifically designed for money to be allotted to those undertaking type 1 diabetes education.
My face is streaked with tears as I write this because the deaths of so many paved the roadway for this much needed legislation. Debbie and Michelle have initiated something that is next to impossible to accomplish, and in doing so even created a nonprofit to continue the work they started (EaseT1D.org). More can do the same. Bravo ladies and a huge and deep bow of gratitude from all of us wanting a better world. Somewhere out there Little Reegan is looking down and smiling knowing that she continues working through others to change the world.
God works in that way.
What will you do about it?
I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.|
It amazes me sometimes when media skips something so crucial to our diabetes world. Nothing would make me happier than when this story is read, media sources who are so much more significant that my little column here reach out to these two women for the simple reason; their story needs to be read, seen, heard, and witnessed. People need to know that when they make the decision to “just not do nothing“; they can, and do, make a difference.
Many entities and people helped get this to California Governor’s desk (Diabetes Advocate Brett Michaels being just one), but before Senate Bill 97 became part of the highest level of funding bill in California history as part of a whopping 123.9 billion dollars for grades K-12, it started as just an idea. Moms Debbie George and Michelle Thornburg knew that the world could do better at recognizing the early onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D). They knew that it was needed to have the complicated conversations with doctors, nurses, teachers, and school staff on what type 1 diabetes entails, and provide a better understanding of the disease to help ensure the safety of their children, Sierra and Dylan. In doing so, they changed the parameters of diabetes education for all children in the state of California forever…….and it is up to the rest of the world to continue the battle……..but now, there is a treasure map to the promised land of riches; breaking down the misunderstood world we all know with our children living with T1D. Two moms said, “ENOUGH, WE CAN AND WILL DO MORE!”
Years ago when Little Reegan passed away from undiagnosed diabetes, her mom and legislatures in North Carolina passed an unprecedented bill regarding diabetes education. Both moms were in touch with those responsible back then in 2015 and made it their mission to take the same framework of the Reegan’s Rule law in North Carolina, build upon it, and move it through the governing halls of California’s State Capitol. A massive undertaking over five years in the making. When one starts this process, they start out as an advocate. The process is full of twists, turns, setbacks, successes, loneliness, promises of being helped also being broken; all out weighed by one concept, to get the job done. Upon finishing the job, these same advocates are then classified as experts because basically, they did the impossible. They took an idea, a much needed concept, and they made it law. Period.
The law states (click here to read the entire diabetes portion of the bill): The department, in coordination with any other entity the department deems appropriate, shall develop type 1 diabetes informational materials for the parents and guardians of pupils. The informational materials shall be made available to each school district, county office of education, and charter school through the department’s internet website.
THIS IS NOW A LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
For all time, every state now has a road map to do the same. What began with Little Reegan, then moved to Pennsylvania with the efforts of another mom, Debbie Healey, has now graduated to the big time with a law specifically designed for money to be allotted to those undertaking type 1 diabetes education.
My face is streaked with tears as I write this because the deaths of so many paved the roadway for this much needed legislation. Debbie and Michelle have initiated something that is next to impossible to accomplish, and in doing so even created a nonprofit to continue the work they started (EaseT1D.org). More can do the same. Bravo ladies and a huge and deep bow of gratitude from all of us wanting a better world. Somewhere out there Little Reegan is looking down and smiling knowing that she continues working through others to change the world.
God works in that way.
What will you do about it?
I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.|
2 replies on “Two Moms Change Our Diabetes World”
Yes, no doubt parents everywhere should give them a high, high ten.
This law is historic in nature due to the precedent it established in California! I look forward to seeing other states emulate what was done in California. Kudos to Debbie and Michelle for this significant accomplishment!