Tag: diabetes inspiration

D-Month…..over?….what?…..when?

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 1 Comment on D-Month…..over?….what?…..when?

November is over. Did you miss it? Did you do something for diabetes awareness month? Did you need a reminder that diabetes is in your household?

I get it. So many believe in the ability to celebrate a good life despite/in spite of living with diabetes. A time to let the world know, and help diabetes awareness, for an entire month. What a concept.

Not to me. November is the same as its 11 colleagues that make up a year. I celebrate, educate, advocate, and hopefully inspire (a little) 365 days a year. Telling someone who lives with diabetes that there is a month totally dedicate to diabetes awareness, the answer you will most likely hear is, “Thanks but no thanks—-I live with it 365 days a year.”

It’s nice that some roll out diabetes awareness month as is done with holiday decorations and celebrations. But in truth, we choose to celebrate our kids every day, a special month is not needed. What our kids do all year round is worthy to celebrate all year round.

It’s nice that some roll out the advocacy for diabetes causes during the month of November. But in truth, we choose to fight for the rights of those living with this disease every day we can. Insulin costs, rights, and the ability to have what everyone else has gets a full court press all year.

As I stated it earlier…..I get it……I really do. Blue, new, you, and what’s due are the voices loud and clear. Let’s just push as hard all year long. No matter how small or how large, “just don’t do nothin”—-but do it all year long.

I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.  Tagged diabetes dad, diabetes inspiration, just don’t do nothing



Two Moms Change Our Diabetes World

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 2 Comments on Two Moms Change Our Diabetes World

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’.| 

Goodbye 2019—-Hello Modern Roaring Twenties

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 1 Comment on Goodbye 2019—-Hello Modern Roaring Twenties

The quiet was very loud in the waiting room.  The employee awaited the turn to ‘face the music’.  2019 was not as nervous as when he heard the yelling when 2018 left last year, the yelling was scary as the Boss rarely yelled, but yelling occurred as 2018 was ushered out….it was left to 2019, and 2019 knew that the year was over and failure was the result.
Send in 2019, please.  The intercom on the receptionist’s desk echoed.
The Boss will see you now, she ventured a partial smile.  2019 stood and walked toward the door and opened it with conviction.  Hi Boss, it’s me.
C’mon in 2019, come in.

2019 took a chair and both The Boss, and 2019, sat for a few minutes without saying anything. 
2019, not a good year. Really not a good year.  I really want to get back to being so annoyed at you new years because no cure has yet to be found, instead I find myself just so angry at you all not getting insulin into people’s hands.  Some really good local legislation and some extremely powerful hearings,,,,,,but, we have yet to move that dial.

2019 spoke up, I feel like some progress was made, especially in a divided capitol who certainly have other thingson their minds.  I….

The Boss stopped 2019.

2019, I am not here to listen to your side of the story.  You failed in finding a cure.  You failed in resolving the insulin issue and quite frankly I’m not as angry with you as I was with 2018 for the only reason, I have become calloused to the pain you all keep coming and dishing our every year.  You did not accomplish one thing you set out to do.  The technology that other years touted as hugely successful, broke down as well.  I was encouraged, again, by the one thing that encourages me each year that comes in my office, is ushered out, and a new one ushered in. DO you know what that is 2019?

I’m pretty sure it is those impacted by diabetes.

Exactly right 2019, it is the people impacted by this disease.  The people who live with diabetes and graduate school, become professionals, do the plays in their schools, play sports, hold a job, get married, have kids, get good grades, play with friends and for all intent and purposes they live their lives to the fullest.  It is the researchers who constantly look for that needle in the haystack because they believe a cure is out there and worth looking for.  It is the genius minds that are not content with the status quo in management technology and continue to improve health care.  It is the legislatures who continue to fight to bring the insulin costs down.  It’s those who believe that diabetes will JUST NOT DUE in their lives 2019.  The keep me at this job.

2019 stood up.  I understand.  It is my truest hope that this new decade arriving at midnight is the modern ‘roaring twenties’ in all things diabetes.  Sorry I failed you boss.

And just like that 2019 left.  The Boss put his hands behind his head and smiled at the ceiling; Hmmmmmmmmm Roaring Twenties in all things diabetes, I like that.
He buzzed his receptionist; Send in 2020, the modern roaring twenties in diabetes starts now.
I am a DiabetesDad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

Twas the Night Before dChristmas 2019

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 1 Comment on Twas the Night Before dChristmas 2019

With special apologies to Clement Moore.   I present what has become an annual tradition……an updated, ‘Twas the Night Before D-Christmas for 2019

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The meters, CGMs, and supplies were put away with such care,
In hopes that Santa would bring the cure with him this year.

The children were nestled from head to their feeties,
While thoughts in their head were no more diabetes.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, she prayed for the cure too,
A dad still wonders what else could he do.

Remembering this year; CGMs enough to fill up a bin,
All so new, fast, and even under the skin,
Insulin is still with a cost way too high,
Government should act, stop asking why.

Some say a crime and even a sin
Outrageous price for one dose of insulin
The community raised voices loud and concise,
Costs are too far and need to lower in price.

The voices were loud and the voices were clear,
We will shout as one, we all have no fear.
Insulin is not a luxury, stop causing such strife,
Insulin for all it is needed for life.

Many things were good, many things were fun,
Diabetes awareness campaigns are still being done.
The word is important for everyone to hear,
Capitol Hill hearing our voices, we’re getting in gear.

Others will take the lead and we will all see
Better products, more work, and good advocacy.
Better pumps, insulin, and CGMS by the score,
There’s plenty coming and we’re screaming for more.

When you look outside at the fresh fallen snow,
so many are doing, so many you don’t know,
Think of those who inspire and soon you’ll see,
Things will move forward and continue to be.

The life is not the greatest fighting this disease.
Continue to ask as you drop to your knees
That things will get better and rightfully quick,
Good things to come, and not all from St. Nick.

So listen carefully as you think what needs to be done,
If you have an idea, launch it, take it and run.
Don’t leave it to others; it’ll be just a few,
“Don’t do nothing” is what you really must do.

And if you think you’re done, tired, and feeling sort of sore,
Think of your loved one with diabetes, it’ll make you do more.
And if not for you, it will be for their sake,
We won’t stop at all till they all get a break.

And then, in a twinkling, one day we’ll hear on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
And the only thing needed in Santa’s bag for sure,
Is when diabetes is gone because of a cure.

So we will all continue to work, the ‘where’ is up to you,
But you have to make the decision on something you’ll do.
And one day we’ll scream and exclaim, “diabetes is gone from sight,”
The Happiest Christmas ever, and to all a good-night!

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

No 2 are Alike

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 2 Comments on No 2 are Alike
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is snowflake-diabetes-1024x999.jpg

So as we approach our third ‘winter’ in South Carolina, I am reminded of the one thing I do not miss about living up North……..snow. I was never a fan of snow. It always looks beautiful and then the reality hits that those beautiful flakes will not remove themselves from your car and your property.

The one thing about snow that I always found fascinating was that, as the saying goes, no two are alike. Millions and millions of snowflakes and each as different as the next. This was my assessment of those with diabetes for years. I even called it the snowflake disease as how it impacts one may be completely different with someone else……and in many cases it does impact two people completely differently.

Remember that the next time you want to jump in and help someone with a diabetes inquiry. The way diabetes impacts your child could be 180 degrees different than how it impacts someone else. But withing this discussion is also a celebration of how people move beyond the limitations of this disease in their own lives. Just this week, one young man made the junior Olympic team, one starred in a football game, one danced the Nutcracker, one entered medical school, one is graduating Family Nurse Practitioner school, one went away on their first weekend without mom and dad and ALL OF THEM did it with diabetes.

So as we head into the holiday season, celebrate the uniqueness of your child. Celebrate that what they do, and remember that they do it while managing a truly tedious disease. A disease they did not ask for. A disease that was thrust upon them. Celebrate their uniqueness. And while your at it, give a pat on your own back for all you do to help them.

No two snowflakes are alike. And neither are your children. Their uniqueness is worth celebrating……in fact, it melts your heart, doesn’t it?

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

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This Month, ‘Diabetes’ Gets Nothing!

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 1 Comment on This Month, ‘Diabetes’ Gets Nothing!

Dear Diabetes Awareness Month,

Sorry I have not paid you so much attention this year. I mean I certainly continued the advocacy I find so important. People need to be made aware of your signs so they can get proper care before it is too late.

I am also not letting you off the on letting insulin prices go just as high as they want; we’ll keep fighting that too.

But I am spending my time enjoying the things you cannot keep from my kids. I visited Minnesota this month and shared with my son his new digs at the corporate offices of Best Buy. You know, the place he could not get to because he was too young or his diabetes might get in the way. Yeah; that didn’t happen and now as he approaches his second year, we continue to be so proud how he and his fiance are doing out there, so sorry I was not dwelling on just the diabetes that week.

Oh, and also sorry that I could not spend more time with you in the middle of the month as I had to visit Kaitlyn; you remember her don’t you? You know the one diagnosed at age two, the one where one medical professional told me I should be lucky enough to hope for just getting through college. Never knew if they meant that diabetes would be so hard she would be unable to balance it with her studies or that she would be alive at this point……….well she graduated college. Graduated nursing school too. Next month she graduates as an FNP—or Family Nurse Practitioner. Take that!

Always surprised they named a month after you. It should be about those who, time-and-time-again, prove that diabetes will not stop them. It should be about those who have accomplished wonderful things despite having you in their lives.

They excel, they find great jobs, they get married, they have kids, they succeed—they do everything that you thought you would stop them from doing. So perhaps we should call November Hero Awareness Month, because quite frankly, you do not deserve to have a month named after you. But our kids do. And the kids we lost do also. They lived as heroes for as long as they could until they could not do it any longer……and you took them.

That’s what happens in a war. And this is a war. And all of us will do battle every day.
Some day, you will lose and we will win. Because you deserve nothing form us and nothing is what we are ready to give to you……..least of all to even have a month named for you. Better we stress the “Awareness” in Diabetes Awareness Month……and give you credit for nothing.

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