Tag: DDRC

DDRC ACTIVATED for Hurricane Dorian—-Kindly Share this Information

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 2 Comments on DDRC ACTIVATED for Hurricane Dorian—-Kindly Share this Information

THE DDRC IS ACTIVATED—BELOW IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING
DIABETES CARE  PREPERATION BEFORE AND ACTION DURING THE INCOMING
HURRICANE DORIAN STORM

PREPARATION 

Resource Link: https://www.diabetesdisasterresponse.org/

  • If you have diabetes and Hurricane #Dorian is heading your way, make an emergency diabetes kit. Download the DDRC Patient Preparedness Plan to learn what you need to manage your diabetes and remain safe and healthy.
  • Don’t get caught in Hurricane #Dorian without medication and diabetes supplies. Download the DDRC Patient Preparedness Plan to learn what you need to manage your diabetes and remain safe and healthy.
  • Be prepared for Hurricane #Dorian. During times of disaster you face unique challenges. Make a plan to stay safe and healthy. Download the DDRC Patient Preparedness Plan.

Hurricane #Dorian – be prepared and stock up on extra diabetes supplies. You may be eligible for an emergency supply of insulin and prescriptions. Call your pharmacy now for details. Find more information here.

Twitter:
Hurricane #Dorian – are you prepared with your diabetes medication and supplies? Download our Patient Preparedness Plan for guidelines on how to prepare for an emergency.

PRESCRIPTIONS

  • Running low on insulin or other diabetes supplies? If you live in (#Add in GEO Targeted Location) and are impacted by Hurricane #Dorian, you may be eligible for an emergency supply of your prescriptions. Call your pharmacy. Find out more here.

 

DONATE SUPPLIES

  • Are you interested in helping the diabetes community and friends impacted by Hurricane #Dorian? Donate your extra supplies to Insulin for Life. Find more information here:http://ifl-usa.org/what-we-need

DURING STORM

  • If you or your loved ones are in the path of Hurricane #Dorian and have questions about your diabetes medicine and supplies due to the storm, please call the ADA call center (1-800-DIABETES).
  • Need to find an open pharmacy? If you have diabetes and are impacted by Hurricane #Dorian and need insulin or other diabetes supplies, call the ADA at (1-800-DIABETES). Or try, RxOPEN https://www.healthcareready.org/rxopen
  • Health care provider emergency diabetes supply hotline. If you know of diabetes supply shortages in your community because of Hurricane #Dorian, please call 314-INSULIN for help. This line is reserved for healthcare providers only. Not a HCP, call 1-800- DIABETES for help.
  • If you lose power and you have unused insulin, don’t throw it out! In an emergency, it is okay to use expired or non-refrigerated insulin. Call the manufacturer for details. Find their number here and check out our tips for storing insulin and discarding sharps.
  • Find a shelter. The American Red Cross has a live map you can search. Or, call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Hurricane #Dorian. If you find yourself in a shelter without proper diabetes care and supplies, call 1-800-DIABETES for help.

I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

 

Death from Diabetes……A Small Glimmering Light has Arrived

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 3 Comments on Death from Diabetes……A Small Glimmering Light has Arrived

By far, this is the hardest thing that I have been involved both in and with; on our diabetes journey and within our diabetes community.  It is hard.  It is sad.  It is reality.  And quite truthfully it just sucks.

The number one thing that occurs when someone dies in our diabetes community, is the loss of what to do when it happens.  What can we do to help?, is asked over and over again.  What to do, what is right, how to help.  Now there is something with true substance that we can all do when someone passes away.  And unfortunately, it will happen again.  My picture today is the blue candle, but I have added a glimmering light, small as it is, because it is a light that many families will need at their most difficult time, that may now be there to help.  Somewhere to turn when so all alone.

Today is National Bereavement Day and Beyond Type 1 has ONCE AGAIN stepped up, to help our community. I believe that Beyond Type 1 (BT1) is truly one of the most remarkable organizations in existence.  What no one touches…..they hit head on.  Listening to Sarah Lucas, Thom Scher, and/or anyone at BT1 when they discuss diabetes topics, you feel their passion–it becomes tangible; their actions are a force, their actions are quick, their actions have substance.

Today, this wonderful organization has partnered with one of the people I respect most in this battle, Michelle Page Alswager.  Michelle lost her precious Jesse at age 13.  Others may just give in and give up, and truthfully, no one in the world would ever blame them.  Michelle has taken her grief and reached out to help as only someone who has experienced this pain can…….she has made it a rallying cry to help others.  She has been an advocate for years to those who lost someone and, as is their custom (missed diagnosis, Tu Diabetes etc), Beyond Type 1 has stepped in to fill a void, and if you know BT1, you also know they do nothing halfway…….this is no exception.

Jesse Was Here
From their new website page:
Launching August 30, 2018, Jesse Was Here was inspired by Michelle Page-Alswager’s experience after the sudden death of her 13-year-old son, Jesse, from Type 1 diabetes. Grieving the loss of her child, and the potential loss of the diabetes community, she created an online community to support parents who had also lost their children to Type 1 diabetes. By connecting with others who shared her experience, she realized many of those seeking support and opportunities to honor their loved ones, also struggle with unexpected funeral expenses, ongoing medical bills and sometimes even the funds for a headstone. Through her efforts, she discovered many others — not just parents of young children — were looking for peer support, practical information, coping tools and financial assistance. Working together, Michelle and the team at Beyond Type 1 are creating a very special program to serve this unique and deserving community.

Keep this as a resource because, the painful reality, it will be needed.  While you’re at it, give a few bucks to them as well because in reality, they can only help with what they have.  If you have ever asked, How can I help that family?—-now is your chance.

Truthfully, I hated writing this article today because it just reminded me of just so much pain I have seen others go through over the years.  But it is comforting to know that people like Michelle are not afraid to walk-the-walk, and organizations like
Beyond Type 1 are not afraid to listen, and step up.

It is what makes being part of the club none of us wanted to join; a little more bearable.
I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition is Activated—Hurricane Lane

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 1 Comment on Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition is Activated—Hurricane Lane

The Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition was created after years and years of people wanting to do something, AND DOING SOMETHING, but without a cohesive effort so the entire diabetes community knows what to do in the time of disaster.  This is the only time I will speak in general terms about this group…..moving forward, when you see the logo, it will be an indication that there is an update as this column will be turned over for information about a particular disaster.

During times when you want to help, go to the Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition FB page for up to the minute information on how to help.  There is a great body of people involved on this Coalition co-chaired by Carol Atkinson (Insulin for Life/USA) and Kelly Mueller (American Diabetes Association) because that makes sense.  There is a lot of things making sense with this group.  At some point I will fill you in on who is involved but let’s get right to the nitty-gritty with information on what to pass along to your family and friends in Hawaii who might have diabetes concerns.

The most important information is what YOU NEED to do to be prepared to handle your (or a loved one’s) diabetes care during the upcoming storm:
CLICK THIS LINK FOR PATIENT PREPAREDNESS

1. Documentation. Write down type of diabetes you have, other medical conditions, allergies, and previous surgeries. Include current medications, doses, and time you take them along with your pharmacy name, address and phone number.

* Prescriptions. Ask for an extra supply of all medications, including insulin and Glucagon, if prescribed. During an emergency, you are eligible for an emergency override. Call your pharmacy, if they say no, contact your healthcare provider for an altered prescription. Warning: Insurance may not pay for the increased amounts.

2. Insulin. If you lose power and you have unused insulin, don’t throw it out! In an emergency, it is okay to use expired or non-refrigerated insulin. 3. Shelters. A live map of open shelters from the American Red Cross can be found here. You can also contact the American Red Cross directly at 1-800-RED-CROSS. If you find yourself in a shelter without proper diabetes care and supplies, call 1-800-DIABETES.

4. Statewide Updates. Emergency updates and other resources can be found here. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/

The Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition FB will be updated as needed.
I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.