A Quick Clip Regarding Justin Bieber that will Leave You Scratching Your Head!

MSNBCSeriously????

If you want to get to a root (not ‘THE’ root—just ‘A’ root) problem with the priorities in today’s world, all you would need to do is watch this clip (click the picture above).  Or is it more of just a statement on what the media thinks of our elected officials?

A Congresswoman……A UNITED STATES CONGRESSWOMAN is being interviewed on MSNBC when the reporter works emphatically to interrupt her for a breaking story.  Watch the less-than-30 seconds-clip and let me know if I have this wrong?  

Well we now know where elected officials sit with our media…….don’t we?

Seriously!!!!!!!!!

I am a diabetes dad.

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

I am NO FAN of Winter……But Not for the Reason you May Think!!!!!

Die winter dieFor the record…..I’m not a fan of winter.  On our wall in our den is a family photo where we all look like we were spending the weekend with my dear friend Moira, and her family, somewhere in ski country USA.  The picture looks like we are out of central casting for snow bunnies.  The truth is; on the day the photo was taken; out of the five of us, the only one who had the slightest pleasure skiing was Kaitlyn.

Rob and TJ traded in their skis to go tubing, and we watched from the warm insides of the beautiful lodge with those gorgeous roaring fires and a lot of hot chocolate. 

Nope;  Me + snow = disaster.  (+ skis = double disaster; albeit a lot of humor to watch).

I envy Moira’s writings of how she and her family are ‘whoooosihing’ down the slopes and having such a grand time.  I have another friend who also loves the snow and cold and her son will have a good shot for the Olympics someday as a down hill racer. 

Me? Nope; could not even stand on the things.

So in the last go round with mega snow and us digging out, my attention was drawn away from all of us working to dig out the cars and clean the area around our home, my thought was with/on our kids.

Sometimes I get so frustrated that almost every single thing we do, diabetes has to somehow be involved.  Shoveling snow……really?  Well, yes because you see shoveling snow is a workout and severe workout at that.  If you ever want to see blood sugar plummet downward at an amazing speed; just shovel snow.

So in addition to all of the work that has to be done to clear snow away, we also have to keep that ever watchful eye on our kids.

And it makes me angry—–snow and diabetes…..seriously?  Does everything have to include diabetes?  It does not deserve all the attention that it gets….does it?

I am a diabetes dad.

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

An NBA Superstar…….Does the Unthinkable in a Game……..But Diabetes Does NOT Care.

 ThumbnailClick the picture, watch the video first, and come back…….it is only about a minute long. Seconds to go in a game, know this–if this Miami team loses, the Championship is over, and they are out..  Seconds tick, pressure, cheers, screaming………little chance……..team to be eliminated…….and something happened.

Sports fans, SCREAMING in-game 6 last year when Miami played the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Championship.  Seconds to go on the clock and you saw the 3-pointer by Ray Allen of the Miami Heat sending the game to over time.  

Miami would win this game, the next game as well, and be crowned the Champions of the NBA.

Ray Allen, an incredible shooter.  One who understands the important shot when it’s needed like few others.  There is another shot Ray knows as well.  It’s a shot of insulin.  To give himself, a shot would probably not be too much of a problem; he’d get used to it.  He’s a strong man.

But giving a shot to his 7-year-old son Walker, who has T1 diabetes, that’s a different ball game altogether, isn’t it?  When the arena lights get turned off, the locker gets closed, the press interviews end, the cheering becomes silent; Ray returns home to his wife Shannon, and Walker (and his brothers and sister) and diabetes; basketball—-well basketball becomes just a game again.

Ray and Shannon are just like any other d-parent.  They want to make a difference.  They want a cure.  They don’t like diabetes.  They want to know what’s going on in the world of research.  So on this day, his day off when he should be resting, Ray, Shannon and Walker took a tour of the DRI. 

Ray Allen, Shannon and WalkerThey wanted to see science, they wanted to speak to the researchers, they wanted their questions answered, they wanted to know more.  Pictured here with Dr. Ricordi, The Allens became like so many other families that have toured the DRI.  They have come through this special place and found out for themselves, as we who already know, the best hope for a cure is not just a tag line at the DRI…..it is the torch that burns fiercely as a reminder for all of us.  This job MUST get done.

There is a gathering tonight and there is an event on Monday.  The Ray Allen Golf Classic and Ray of Hope Luncheon to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute and the JDRF.  The Allens are parents with a child battling diabetes.  I have said it a thousand times…….diabetes doesn’t care if you drive a train for living, run a printing machine, sell homes, or tie game six in a championship series with a three-pointer as seconds tick away on a clock; diabetes will strike your home just as hard and just as tough……it just does not care.

Ray Allen is also making a difference.  He is lending his name, getting involved, and calling friends to help raise money for two organizations trying to make a difference, and also to end this disease forever.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars will be raised.  There are incredible volunteers involved in this event who are just as crucial as Ray and Shannon Allen; the Holtz Family for one, and many others.

It will take a team to beat this disease together.  It will take the Allens-superstars in the Basketball arena, It will take Scientist-like Dr. Ricordi and his team superstars in the research world, it will take The Holtz’s–a family that will do all it takes; it will take all of us in events, and giving, none-too-small; all crucial funds.

At the end of the day, just don’t do nothing.  Do with what you have; now.  All of it together will get us to the championship we all have waited for too long……..a cure.  And that is a shot that will be heard around the world.

I am a diabetes dad.

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

(Sung to the tune of Grease is the Word) Diabetes?…What is the Word…..The Word……The Word??

Word batmanType 1 Diabetes Nemes posted on their FB page;  If you could describe life with type one diabetes in one word what word would you choose?!

Of course there is no correct answer for this question, or better yet, every answer is the correct answer.  Type 1 Diabetes Memes, is a wonderful page.  If you have not ‘liked’ their page, you should.   They are very creative and are known for their pictures-in-search-of-a-caption which they run weekly.

The description of Type 1 Diabetes Nemes does not say that they want to change the world or move mountains; it just says: The page to post photos, laugh, and to have a positive outlook on living with Type One Diabetes!  How great is that?

As I looked at the answers posted by well over 400 people, the answers were a wide range and a wide variety.  I became sad when I saw an answer like ‘suicidal’ and marveled at the creativity of a word like Notabowlofcherries (That’s one word, isn’t it?) and tenawesome a combination of the words tenacious and awesome.  One person wrote ‘a blessing’ which someone else immediately took issue.

The choice of words show more negative than positive and as I stated, there is not right or wrong answer here.  Diabetes is raw and real and however anyone feels about it is up to them.   And if someone, for whatever the reason, found it (diabetes) a blessing; I think that is clearly their choice. 

I would like to take this idea one step forward.  Do not use one word that describes diabetes but use one word to describe how you LIVE with diabetes or would LIKE TO live with diabetes in your household whether you are a PWD or a d-parent/grandparent?

I’m sure there will be cases where the word won’t change, but that is your call and is surely okay.  What is the one word to describe how YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE with diabetes on a daily basis?

I am a diabetes dad.

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

Insurance Companies!!!!!…..WHOA….Rough Waters Ahead.

rough watersThere is a part of everyone’s life that deals with diabetes that needs to be discussed.  It is the navigation of the rough waters in the sea of insurance waves.

This is not a unique occurrence dealing with people who have diabetes in their household; it hits every home who has any illness whatsoever where insurance companies are involved.  Cancer, autism, peanut allergies, MS, CF, and on and on and on goes the list.  If you or your child has been diagnosed with diabetes there is an aspect to a side of diabetes that many do not prepare you. 

In addition to the management, the education, the carb counting, the living healthy, and the medical side to diabetes; you will also be dealing with insurance companies.  Either by covered insurance or by government assistance.  Navigating the roadway of ‘coverage’ is not an easy one.  We all do it so know you are not alone.

Insurance is a business.  Simple fact to remember.  A business’ goal is to make money; ergo an insurance company’s job is to make money.  In exchange for the money they receive, they supply the financial assistance you need to obtain the correct medical care and prescriptions for you and your family.  Maybe not the products you would like but ones that will get the job done (in most cases).

When you call, it is not that the person on the other side of the phone does not care about you; their job is to assist as many people as possible in a given day so people are not complaining that no one answered their question or picked up the phone when they called.
But they can help.  They should help.

Know your questions, write them down before you get on the call.  Know all the numbers, names, and addresses that are needed for the person on the phone to assist you.  Keep notes on everything that happens from one call to the next and for heaven’s sake get a name or an i.d. number of the person with whom you spoke.

Inbound calls number in the tens of thousands per day.  The more information you have in front of you, the more the person on the phone may be able to help you.  It’s not easy dealing with people on the phone when the caller does not know anything they should know from their own Doctor’s address to the name of the medicine their kids are taking.

When you call, be direct, be fair, be polite, and know ‘your stuff’.  A caller is usually dealing with one problem or one set of problems that the caller knows every aspect leading up to the call……..know that the insurance company representative KNOWS NOTHING about your problem.

Now, surely there are times that you want to ring the neck of the person on the other end; when that happens, hang up and call back or ask to speak to a supervisor.  Be ready and allow the time for you to finish the call.  “I am leaving in 5 minutes, let me call the insurance company first….” is probably a practice you will want to stay away from at all costs.

Insurance companies are services organizations; their objectives do not always align with your goals.  It is our job to give as much information as possible to reach our goals using their objectives.  The water can be rough sometimes, but THEY can be navigated if you prepare yourself before the call.

It will not always be smooth, but it does not always have to leave you with the felling that you need to take a nap after the call either.  Insurance companies are a needed entity; period.  Might as well learn how to row with them as oppose to against them.

I am a diabetes dad.

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

A Story of a Mega Talent Who Cares…….A Story to Inspire your Kids.

Kevin CWDThere is a friend of mine.  His name is Kevin.  Kevin has type 1 diabetes.  Kevin comes from a great family, a close family.  They celebrate good times together, root for their home teams together, and live life as anyone would hope to live life.  He has a great mom and dad and has a sister and a brother.  The American Family.

When it comes to character, Kevin’s dad is a very strong man and in fact he is one of the strongest men I know.  For years he was a Sheriff and knows a thing or two working with people who become incarcerated.  I tell you that so you have a picture in your mind what I mean when I say strong.   His family values are enviable. 

I read a saying once that said there is nothing stronger than gentleness, and nothing gentler than real strength.  That’s Kevin’s dad.  His dad has played a very active part in Kevin’s diabetes.  He reads a lot and he works a lot at making sure Kevin knows and is given the options in his diabetes management.

This is a family who truly understands that diabetes is something that needs attention; and then it is time to get back to living.  No fan fare.  No drama.  They just get it done and move on.  What so many find hard to do, the Covais Family has mastered.

A family moves along in life and something happens that changes their entire landscape.  Many times that story is not always a good story; this story is NOT that kind of story.
Kevin has a gift; Kevin can sing.  Not just sing-sing; I mean REALLY sing.  As he stood before the judges, those who were watching thought Kevin was nervous because he looked almost as if he was shaking. 

His father, waiting offstage in the wings, knew exactly what was going on; Kevin’s blood sugar was dropping/running low.  He quickly opened up an orange juice and waited for him off stage.  Kevin was not in a place where he could just walk off and tend to his diabetes because you see, the person speaking to him was Simon Cowell; and he was live in front of millions of people on season five of American Idol. 

After first auditioning in Boston and after American Idol saw thousands and thousands of people in many US cities; Kevin made it to the top twelve.  He did not win, but being only 16 years old and in the top twelve that included Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Ace Young, Kellie Pickler, and more–well that’s not such bad company to keep, is it?

Kevin, since I have known him, has always been the first person to ask me, “What can I do to help?”  How can I get in front of kids and tell them my story so they can realize that diabetes does not have to stop them from anything.”  He has performed in front of thousands of kids at the CWD FFL Conference and in many schools telling his stories to kids.  Telling them that diabetes should stop them from nothing.  He is captivating.

He stays afterwards and he chats with the parents, he talks to the kids one-on-one and at some point he will sing.  And that gorgeous voice of his will resonate with each person in the room as if he is singing directly to them, and as if they are the only one in the room.  He will reach out and touch kids.  He will tell them; even with diabetes everything will be okay

Here is a great video of Kevin that we did when I was at dLife.  You will see exactly what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZd68tsd9i4

All these years later, I watched last night as Kevin performed in his 7th episode of Disney’s Good Luck Charlie.  I reached out to him after the show and congratulated him on a fine performance, and we chatted.  He said he gets recognized by kids now for his role in Good Luck Charlie more than Idol. At the ripe ‘old age’ of 24, Kevin already has a history in the entertainment field.  He is known by many but his unique style in everything that occurs in his life lends me to believe that this incredible talent WILL one day be a household name.  Right before he hung up he said to me, “….if ever you need me in any way; I’m always ready to sing, speak, and be with kids.  All you have to do is call.”

And from this ever-rising star, that statement didn’t surprise me one bit.  That’s Kevin.

I am a diabetes dad.

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