Knowing Every Piece of the Puzzle, Sometimes, is Just None of Our Business.

PuzzleThere comes a point, in situations, when information given should be enough information received.  I have often found it interesting in this ‘instant information’ world how much people press for details.  But truthfully, there comes a time when more information will do little to change our individual world.

It is a given that when someone needs help, the internet becomes a great place to get the word out and get the word out quickly.  Someone is missing, someone is lost.  In these cases it is imperative to get the word out through as many channels as possible. What a powerful tool we have in today’s world.

Another means of instant sharing is when there is a death.  Whatever the reason.  It is shared and people within the community send condolences.  Our grandparents, parents, a loved one, and sometimes even a child.  When we hurt, it’s a wonderful feeling of comfort to know that there is a world out there who will care enough to let you know they are thinking about you.  It is why we ‘put it out there’ hoping that someone we know, even peripherally, will see it and let us know they are thinking about us.  Being comforted is a good thing.

I also think it is an important point to remember that the details ‘released’ of each situation are up to the family going through it.  They will decide to release facts and/or information they want or are needed.  Once they have released whatever it is they have shared, once they choose to share no more information……that’s it.   They are under no obligation to share anything more than what they choose to share.  They do not owe it to anybody.  It is not owed to us.

Sometimes there are many facts released (location, appearance, important info etc,)and, let’s say, there is resolution and someone posts, “The Child is Found and is Safe”.  That may be all we read, and truthfully, no more information is needed.

Now in as much as we may feel, or think, that knowing details ‘might’ help us in the management of our child, to make sure ‘it doesn’t happen to us’; honestly—-in all of those horrible incidents I have heard or read about over the years, not one fact influenced what I do/did with my kids living with diabetes.  Hearing about it was enough for me to go over my mental check list, as these incidents do, but no detail ever surfaced that made me say, I have to change everything.

We are inquisitive by nature.  We want to know so we can learn.  But it always must be understood that what a family chooses to share, or not share, is their choice.  Knowing every detail of why a child went missing, or details surrounding someone’s death, or even surrounding a horrific incident; keep your mind open, listen, and know that sometimes we do not NEED to know all of the details.

It’s a good thing to understand because I can tell you from much experience, many times the details will stay with the family because in all honesty; it really isn’t our business, is it?

I am a diabetes dad.

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

 

KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS——Today—SHARE Your Favorite Line.

Kids sayBill Cosby did it, so did a man by the name of Art Linkletter; they hosted a show entitled Kids Say the Darndest Things.  The title says it all; one never knows what kids will say and I have found it incredibly hilarious when I have read a story of something a child said; and parents have shared.

A recent one was regarding the weather when it was low outside and a child stated how the weather would need some carbs.

Or the mom who shared that while in the grocery store her child turned a few heads when he said, “I didn’t like being high last night.”

No, diabetes is not funny, but through the eyes of our children I invite you to share some of the funny lines your children have stated over the years.  It is humor, that probably, not many others would understand……..but we will.  So, please; SHARE!!!!

I am a diabetes dad.

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

 

A ‘Rockwellesque’ Town Where Diabetes is a ‘YAY’ Because it WILL NOT WIN

Blair ChalkDuncansville, Pennsylvania is a little town that I am sure famed artist Norman Rockwell would have loved.   Strangers actually smile and DO SAY hello when passing, and you can feel the ‘local-ness’ from everyone in the town.  It sits in the heart of hills and mountains all around and almost every building looks like it has a story to share.  A town that cares about itself, and a town that surely cares about others.

This past Saturday many things were happening in this little town and people had many choices; five hundred of them, and a few pets wearing team t-shirtsBlar puppy, joined in the Blair County Diabetes Diplomat walk to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute.  Now walks happen all around the country and almost every organization has this type of event.  I spent a good part of my career in the early days with JDF (now JDRF) building what would become their Walk to Cure Diabetes Walks.  I know walks.  I have stated a million times that it is the people I have come to know at these events that pierce your soul and stay in your heart

Blair county captures the spirit of each family as the event gets ready to begin.  Each family writes a few lines about what their walk team is all about and these are ready at the start of the actual walk.  This takes some time, but the organizer, Lisa Treese (who is one very special woman) feels that it is important that everyone knows just a little bit about who is at the event.  Sponsors like Sanofi Diabetes are thanked but to Lisa, this is about the families.  And she is very firm on this point and it is evident throughout the entire day and seen in every aspect of the event with family oriented fun, music, and food.  It’s about families.

The people I met in Duncansville this weekend personify what this D-journey is all about; or should be all about.  This is a town that cares.  From the news anchor who came down to say hello, to the band who volunteered their time, to the principal who became very active at Foot of Ten Elementary School (one truly must LOVE the name of this school) and where the walk was held.

Team YayPeople like ‘Team Yay’ (pictured here, Aidan is being held on the far right).  About their team, mom says;
Team Yay is in honor of Aidan. He was diagnosed a year and a half ago at
22 months old. From day one, he accepted this major change in stride, with
barely a complaint or question.  When he used to get his insulin through
injections, everyone would exclaim, “yay!”  Aidan soon anticipated this praise
with each shot, and so his team was aptly named Team Yay!  Now on an insulin
pump, Aidan inspires everyone around him with his contagious laughter and
positive outlook no matter what challenges he may face. We are so excited to
walk for a cure!

I spent some time with Aidan’s mom who enthusiastically explained why she and her family came to this event, this year.  Aidan’s mom is as perfect example as any why we all are in this fight; nothing short of a cure will do.  There always must be focus on that detail.  It wont be easy but the hope cannot be abandoned.  In Blair County, it won’t be.

There is an army of volunteers who organize and run this event.  It is made up of families where diabetes now resides.  It is made up of individuals who fight this disease and as a community in a town in American, on a given Saturday, they came out because they want a cure.  They know it will take time to get there but they want to support people, just like them, who want to turn the lights off on this disease once and for all; and that is the single-minded focus.

We all work towards that goal.  And for all of that effort, belief, execution, laughter, tears, smiles, gratitude in a town where, on this day, diabetes did not win; well it seems to me that it all deserves one big ‘Yay’…….. just like Aidan’s team.

I am a diabetes dad.

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

 

DIABETES BLOG ENTRY 7: My Favorite Things/Blog Week….In Song of Course

My Favorite thingsDay 7 for Karen Graffeo’s (who blogs and hosts at Bittersweet Diabetes) Diabetes Blog Week. The fifth annual Diabetes Blog Week started Monday and today is the last day.  Congratulations on a simple idea that grows each year. Today is our favorite things about this week.  So with apologies to Rogers and Hammerstein (and surely Julie Andrews as well); to the tune of “My Favorite Things” here is just a tiny retrospective of this week, Happy Fifth Anniversary Blog Week Bloggers and thanks Karen for the opportunity.

My Favorite Things
Stories of events, galas, great stories, and joggers
A week put aside to hear from the bloggers
Stories of kids being wonderful queens and great kings
These are a few of my favorite things

T1 Ramblings and Dboy and Ribbon
Also we heard from an American in Dublin
Alive with Injections, medic bracelets and rings
These are a few of my favorite things

Probably Rachel, Rolling in D, were a start
Diabetesaliciusness, TuDiabetes, and my Diabetic Heart
All telling stories this week moving to spring
These are a few of my favorite things

When the D bites, when the D stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite blogs
And then I don’t feel so bad

A Sweet Life, Vickis’s Notebook, gladly they’ll share
T1 International, and Insulin with My Sugar Bear
And reading RfamHere’s Ramblings
These are all my favorite things

Diabetic Diary, My Superhero and D
Pincushions, and Sparkles, and Carbs will all be
Manny bloggers more who flew with their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

So now the week’s all over and done
hundred’s of writings, some written, some sung,
So thanks are in store for all and Ms. Graffeo
For sharing things all, things we should know

When the D bites, when the D stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite blogs
And then I don’t feel so bad

I simply remember my favorite blogs
And then I don’t feeeeeeeeeeel so baaaaaaaaad.

I am a diabetes dad.

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

DIABETES WEEK ENTRY 6: Diabetes through Pictures

cameraDay 6 for Karen Graffeo’s (who blogs and hosts at Bittersweet Diabetes) Diabetes Blog Week. The fifth annual Diabetes Blog Week started Monday and will take place through May 18th. Today is diabetes through pictures. Just a few that have meant so much. Take a look.  Know this: It is about LIVING with diabetes.


I am a diabetes dad.

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

 

DIABETES BLOG WEEK ENTRY 5: Tips to Help Out–Wake Us Up, Halloween, Sleepovers and More!!!!!

 

Hot tipsDay 5 for Karen Graffeo’s (who blogs and hosts at Bittersweet Diabetes) Diabetes Blog Week. The fifth annual Diabetes Blog Week started Monday and will take place through May 18th.  Today is about the tricks of the trade; and we have a few.  Things that we have done that, perhaps, others may not have thought of which helps a little.

WAKE US UP (CGM Needed): I guess the biggest item is to help us wake up.  The old marbles in the metal bowl have been around for a while.  You know, you place your CGM sensor in the bowl and when you reach that threshold where it vibrates….the marbles rattle around and you wake up.  But here is something many are trying AND liking.  I was told about iSeismometer, which is an App that warns you when an earthquake is coming.   Download the App on your phone (yes it is free), place the phone on the proper nightstand (you probably want to make sure the phone is plugged in), and place your CGM on the cell phone.  When one hits that threshold of going low, it vibrates, and the phone thinks it is an earthquake, and an alarm will ring that can be made loud enough to wake up the house.  Try it; many have.

TESTS: It never made sense to me to be behind in dealing with blood tests.  Have your blood tests about a month before your next doctor’s visit so you are discussing current trends and results when you see him/her.  It is better to discuss what is happening now, and not what was 2 1/2 months ago; don’t you think?

BEDWETTING: Many times, after diagnosis, bedwetting begins again.  Of course from those unpredictable highs, not much can be done but if it is a matter of ‘retraining’ your child try this:  Buy products that turn your toilet water blue when flushed.  (In most cases) show your child that peeing (with its yellow color) can turn the potty water green.  You will be surprised how much ‘fun’ they think it is….anything that works, right?

THOSE PARTIES AT SCHOOL: This has changed over the years with the use of insulin pumps etc., but the stress over these ‘parties’ is still alive today.   Years ago Jill crafted a letter that she sent to each parent about Kaitlyn having diabetes.  She not only used it every year but a following has occurred with the letter and it has been included in books and thousands of people have utilized it over the years.  It is a simple letter that tells a little about what diabetes is, that a child cannot ‘catch it’, and some ideas to do for birthday parties at school or otherwise.  If anyone wants a copy (and it surely needs to be updated), shoot me an email and I will send it to you.

I DON’T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Hogwash.  Anyone can do something to make a difference and you will feel much better about all of this ‘diabetes stuff’ if you get involved.  In as much as donations help many organizations do great things, if you do not have it leads to feeling like one cannot be involved.  WRONG-WRONG-WRONG.  All organizations need volunteers–call up anyone and they will put you to work.  Here is another idea you can do; go to Get Diabetes Right (hit like so you can be updated as things are added–already over 4000 people like it) on Facebook.  There you will find an assortment of important information that you can print out and hang around your neighborhood; or even email them to school nurses, pediatricians, and family physicians and ASK THEM to print out and hang in their office.  Very simple but you will have an impact.

I ‘GOTTA’ GET OUT OF HERE:  I have never understood the comment from parents that they have not left their child’s side since they were diagnosed with diabetes.  They will tell you that they have not gone out anywhere, have not been out with their spouse, and they just cannot leave their child alone.  My question is always the same; “Why not?”  There have been an entire list of people who have lived incredible lives EVEN AFTER diabetes became the new normal.  It’s YOUR choice.  Now, it comes down to how you get there and it is here that I want to suggest a few things. Do not plan on being away for 3 hours the first time, that will come.  Go around the block.  Take a ten minute ride.  Just get out to begin with, and slowly increase the time until you feel comfortable.  It is not healthy for you and/or your family if you are the 100% care taker for your child (99% will do).  This goes for single parents also.  Get some time out of the house——so many before you have done it, now you figure a way to do it also.  Find a teenager who has diabetes to help out (ask your local diabetes foundation chapter if they know of anyone).  Paying a few bucks to keep your sanity is worth every nickel.

SLEEPOVERS: The best way to get this started—-be the one who has the sleepover first.  See what happens.  Do not have anxiety about your child going to one—-when the time comes; be first to have one and build on it.  You will be more comfortable with diabetes at someone else’s house when you see how diabetes reacts at your own…..make sense?

HALLOWEEN: Collect the candy, leaving a little bit of course, and leave outside for the GREAT PUMPKIN to take the candy and leave a real special toy or toys.

Many people have great tips that they have utilized over the years.  Sometimes the best things, are the ones you work through on your own.  The best experts share their experience, there is no better teacher.  Learn from others.

I am a diabetes dad.

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