American Girl…..and a REALLY RIDICULOUS Story…..Don’t Get Sucked In!

newspaperAny time there is a tragedy in the world, it seems the media splatters the front page and the television screen with everything and anything about the person accused of the crime.  Is it so uncommon to hear an Anchor throw a story to a reporter n the field; “Let’s take it to Joey Jones who is speaking to Susie Que who was the first girlfriend to XYZ in his hometown 37 years ago to see if we can gain some insight in why this tragedy happened…..”

Seriously….you’ve seen it, right?

I, honestly do not care about XYZ.  I get it, the publishers and producers think these facts of a murderer will draw in the audience.  I flip the channel.  I have said this before, when a story like this breaks, tell us the name of the person who did it, and I really do not want to see their name again until their sentence is passed.  But that doesn’t happen.  The more attention given, the more likely someone else will want to be glorified.  In so many varying degrees, this ‘type’ of thing happens all the time.  Giving attention is sometimes the purpose of any story.

Now this story is a far, far, cry from a story of a murderer but as an example of everyday ways to grab your precious attention there is the story of when American Girl  (link takes you to their ‘pump’ page) announced  that they were going to provide a package of diabetes supplies so their dolls ‘could have’ diabetes like many of her owners.  A nice touch.  So successful, it’s now on back order until May 13, 2016 according to their website….good for them.  The consumer reviews are sterling on their webpage.  Great that a major company is now doing what www.pumpwearinc.com (this link takes you directly to the toys page) has been doing for years and they even have them for stuffed animals.   Julie (a dMom and co-founder of the company) donates proceeds to diabetes research. (Fair disclosure, they donate to the DRI and I’m an employee at the DRIF as most of you know). All-in-all very good stuff out there REALLY COOL STUFF.

Recently a ‘publication’ wrote about American Girl and their entre into the diabetes ‘toys’ market; and that reporter could not get the story any more wrong if they tried.  NOT A CLUE on what our kids know.  I’m not going to share the link because it’s so bad, I have to believe that the focus was just to get people to read it.   I reached out to them for a comment, but heard nothing.  It is floating around out there but I’m not driving anyone to it because it’s just not deserving of any time given.

I have stated this before, I have learned that yelling and screaming about such things does little and only perpetuates what they want, attention.  I have yelled and screamed about issues in the past…..like, REALLY made a big stink……to what end?  Nothing really changed.  Now if you want to rally against this story, feel free.  And I mean that sincerely, far be it to tell anyone not to do as their heart leads them.  Don’t get me wrong, I was truly pissed when I read the story but then I thought, “This is just a trap.  They do not deserve it, and they are not worth it.”

I think the real story here is what a great thing it is that American Girl is doing, and what PumpWear is doing (and I am sure others are doing it as well……..feel free to add your company’s link to this story at the end of the post)—–it’s not about some dim light bulb story on what some reporter decided was a ‘good angle’.  To get my blood pressure up to, maybe, see an “oops, I’m sorry”, just does not cut it in my book.  The story is so out there, as I stated, and so preposterous that I question the reason except to gain readership.

Honestly, they aren’t worth the energy.  Ignore it and it will go away.  If you want to use some energy, hang some posters around town about the warning signs of diabetes.   THAT just might save a life.  How do YOU REALLY want to spend your energy?

I am a DiabetesDad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

 

A Mom Loses a Son…….”23″ a Number that Means Much On This Day.

Jesse was here  MichelleSix years ago today was a normal day for just about everyone else in this world, with the exception of Jesse’s family.  Jesse passed away six years ago today.  If you ride in rides and/or if you are active in the diabetes community, chances are you know that there is a meaning behind “2/3” or shortened to just “23”.  The 23rd mile, in memory; stop at 23, 23 has become a number to make us all reflect.  To remember……and move on knowing we can foster change.  February 3rd has come to mean something in our world….but none of us wanted it, least of all Jesse’s mom, Michelle.

Michelle will find a corner at some point today and reflect in a way she needs to, what Michelle will NOT be doing today, is sitting home by herself.  When she lost her precious Jesse on that fateful day Michelle made a decision, she would make sure he would be remembered in all of the efforts in which she would continue.  She does that……for my kids, for yours, and for you; if you live with this disease every day.

Continue indeed.

Michelle is a friend.   In her shoes, I’m not so sure I could do what she does.  She has always been involved in the diabetes world but after Jesse passed, she became a powerhouse.  Almost as if a higher power reached into her life and said others need to know about what is important……if not a higher power, an angel perhaps……..indeed.

Whether it’s Riding on Insulin, educating through lectures, meeting elected representatives, riding to raise money for a cure, supporting those who have gone through what she went through—–Michelle is tireless in her efforts.  She has not stopped in her drive to make sure what happened to Jesse, does not happen to others.  She is ‘out there’ doing, when most others would close off their life……and no one would blame them.

So on this day I remember Jesse.  But when I sleep tonight and I say my prayers I will also thank God for my dear friend Michelle.    She is a lightening rod, she is a powerhouse, she is driven, and above all else……..she is a mom.  A mom suffering the greatest of heartbreak and yet gives of her self unceasingly…..for others.  Because that is what moms do.

I am a DiabetesDad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

Diabetes Jeopardy Answer #8 for D-Awareness Month…..She Redefined #23…for Her Son.

Michelle Alswager…..who is Michelle Alswager

One of the most incredible women I know in this diabetes battle is Michelle.  We, who complain, about what we go through daily are humbled by Michelle’s efforts because Michelle’s son lost his battle with diabetes.  Michelle is stead-fast in her belief that Jesse’s memory is worth her continuing the fight and she is one of the fiercest people I know when it comes to battling diabetes.   number 23 (Jesse passed on February-2-third-3) will never mean the same for any of us who may have touched any part of this magnificent woman’s life. 

Her bio on dLife reads:
Michelle has been a strong advocate in the “d” world since her son, Jesse, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000. After the sudden loss of her son, 10 years later she continues to advocate, educate, and push the envelope in her son’s name. Michelle is the founder and executive producer of the documentary The Science of Inspiration: Diabetes and Athletes – otherwise known as “Triabetes” — about 12 athletes with diabetes completing an Ironman triathlon. Her diabetes credits include working as a moderator on the JDRF Online Diabetes Support Team, as an executive director for two diabetes organizations, as the creator of a type 1 snowboard camp for kids with Sean Busby, and she participates each year in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes, ADA Tour de Cure and Hope on 2 Wheels. She is known for “shaking things up” in the world of advocacy and hopes to talk about some tough topics in “That’s My Point.” Michelle resides in Madison, Wisconsin with her children Samantha and Joey. She is currently the development director for Riding on Insulin.

How she continues is beyond anyone’s comprehension, but she does……. every day.

For Diabetes Awareness Month:
This month, I will be highlighting someone in the diabetes community.  They may be people you know, or might not know, but they give of themselves to make this world, our world, with diabetes a special place.   I will not get to everyone this month, but it is my hope that perhaps you can be introduced to some of those you may not know.

I’m certainly not the definitive on who should be included….you are.  If you think I should include someone, shoot me an email at tkarlya@drif.org and I will do what I can to include that person as well.  Welcome to diabetes awareness month.

I am a diabetes dad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.