A FABULOUS, Quick Story You Will Love!!!!!!! Share—It Will Lift Somebody’s Day.

Italy receiptSo the story goes that a customer sat down and was approached by the waitress at the restaurant.

He was hungry, she had a job to do.  It was probably tone, or a glance, or a smile but the conversation flowed easily. 

“One day I would like to visit Italy.” she said.

The anonymous donor left the following (see picture).

You never know who you are speaking with so always be yourself.  Kind of makes you feel good……..don’t it?????

I am a diabetes dad.

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

No Matter the Occasion; Will the Uninvited Guest Behave?????

Not invitedIt’s a special day.

Will everything fall in order as it should?
Will diabetes behave itself?

Will all the food arrive and be done according to plan?
Will diabetes behave itself?

Will everyone be on time, will anyone have a problem arriving?
Will diabetes behave itself?

Will people have a good time and will everyone say what a great day it was?
Or will diabetes not behave?

Will everything move at lightning speed from start to finish?
Or will diabetes bring it to a screeching halt?

No matter how much control we have, or think we have; no matter how much we prepare; have you ever noticed that although a day of excitement is happening we, as parents, always have that one eye on the one uninvited guest that shows up AT EVERYTHING and we know can cause havoc.  We won’t talk about it to anyone, we will flow with it all.  But make no mistake about it, we will be watching, we are ready, and we will react if necessary.

Will diabetes behave?

I am a diabetes dad

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

Job Interview: Never Offer ‘IT’ Up. I TRULY Seek Input from Others; Teach Us what to Advise Our Kids.

Job applicationThere will come a time, if it has not already, that you (or you as you speak with those you love who have diabetes) will have to come to grips with the reality of the world.  I have two confessions to make.  I am not proud of these two confessions but I’m not apologizing for them either.

I’m sharing them with you because at some time you also will have to make the same decision I had and whether you do or you don’t will surely be your call.  But it is a lonely call.

When it comes to dating I absolutely would not and will not advise my children when to tell their dates about their diabetes.  It is their call and all of the different angles to look at this discussion will be up to them.

Where I have advised has been in two areas.  Their road test and while interviewing for a job.  The world can be very cruel on judgements and I did not want them to fall for a stereo-type as they sat down for their road test to be given a license.  I simply suggested to wear a loose shirt and cover their pump.

While interviewing for a job I advised them to never lie but do not offer up that they have diabetes. And ABSOLUTELY NEVER lie on a written document.   No matter how strong our kids are, no matter how much they have achieved in their life with diabetes; the person interviewing sees lost work days and special arrangements and if there are four great candidates; the ‘perception’ would win out in any interviewer’s mind.

To be clear; I’m well aware of the laws governing hiring and firing of individuals but when it comes to hiring, it is virtually impossible to actually PROVE discrimination.  Now my kids have always proved themselves to be great workers and their track record for advancement proves my point.

As I stated, I am not proud of this fact.  I have always told them to be proud of who they are; but I always also felt I needed to at least let them be aware and let them make the call.  I do this for you as well. 

I would be extremely interested to hear what you have to add to this discussion.  I know that one side of the discussion is to let the employer know up front so they don’t feel that the candidate did not disclose all during the interview process; I also know the side that thinks if the employer would not hire them if they knew, one probably would not want to work there anyway.  I understand these discussions.

But when it comes to reality……..really wanting a job; what is the right call.   There are many, many people who could gain from the wisdom of others here.  So please share and let others know your point of view.

I am a diabetes dad.

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

A LI 5-Year-Old Saves Her Mommy’s Life; She knew 9-1-1; She Knew Diabetes

Jillian GivenWhat an incredible story about a 5 year old……Little Jillian Given from Long Island shows us all that one is never too young to learn how to help–just in case.  When asked by the reporter how she knew, this little cutie responded, “My mom taught me.” 

One smart mom for teaching her child; one incredibly cute and bright little girl for learning.

Enjoy.

(Editor’s note:  I changed the link to this one after it was bought to my attenton that the last link was asking for an email to view it—I apologize as when I originally posted it, it didn’t ask for anything.)

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/jillian-given-5-dials-911-to-save-diabetic-mom-1.6137018

I am a diabetes dad.

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

Diaversary, Why Would Anyone want to Celebrate That??????

CelebrateHow many times do we hear (or read) when people inform us about a ‘diaversary’; the anniversary of the day someone was diagnosed with diabetes.

It is a horrible thing to recognize, or celebrate, don’t you think?

Well in truth, I don’t.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
We had no control about diabetes coming into our household; times two.  And once it got here, we had a decision to make.  Ours was to do all we could to ‘own it’.   It still will do its very best to kick out butt up and down the highway but for all we are able; it was our goal to ‘own it’.

So when a diaversary comes around we choose to celebrate.  Celebrate diabetes? Absolutely not!!!!!

Choose to celebrate another year that we (and especially our kids who live with it daily) have lived life to the fullest.  We have encouraged our kids to reach for things that others might say they cannot.  We have encouraged them to let diabetes stop them from nothing.  We love that they thrive in the work place and are in search of their ambitions and goals.

Do they have times that suck, really suck?  Yes.  And so do those that do not have diabetes.  Everybody has something in this world and it is called, ‘life’.  Some have it worse, some have it better.   Some have it harder and some have it easier.  Positive attitude is a huge player in dealing with diabetes.  When I see my daughter or son meeting friends, going out, being recognized at work I simply say to myself; “TAKE THAT DIABETES”.  And if diabetes is ruling your life, figure out how to change the tide.  Start steps today.

It is for all the LIVING that one should recognize a ‘diaversary’.  Diabetes has taken residence in our house twice; but being here, is not ruling here.  And on that point I am certain.  So when a diaversary date arrives, and your child is living it to the fullest, you bet your butt it should be recognized. 

Take that diabetes, indeed.

I am a diabetes dad.

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

Does Diabetes have a Sound??????

TrainAnchor chains, plane motors, and train whistles.  Any fan of the holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, will tell you that Jimmy Stewart’s character, George Baily, states that those are the three best sounds in the world.

I’m a little biased toward train whistles.

Sounds.  All around us, but truthfully when you have children (or a child) with diabetes your deciphering of sounds becomes acute because we have become trained that a certain sound can mean a course of action is needed.

Think about it.  Can you not hear the click of a lancet device from a mile away.  Not to mention hearing the sounds of a pump, or a continuous glucose meter (CGM).  Warnings, ‘out of insulin’ lows, no matter what; we have tuned our hearing.

They could be doing construction outside your house and you don’t hear it but if the alarm of a CGM happens I KNOW there are people out there that will jump out of bed, get a bathrobe on, and put on their slippers before their feet even hit the floor.

Amazing isn’t it?

Every year while attending the CWD Friends for Life Conference in Orlando Florida; there is another sound that resonates with me.  3000 people preparing for breakfast and you can actually hear the lancet devices clicking across the hall.  What is really cool about that is that every child sees that they are not alone.  They see that there are many people who live like they do.  I am sure this happens in camps around the world as well.

“Click, click, click, click.”  You can hear it, can’t you?

Add to that the many sounds that our children have dealing with diabetes.  A tonality in their voice, a tearful statement, a whine, or perhaps a grimace.  Makes me want to tell you that there is another sound that I urge every parent to seek out at least once a day.  When it happens, hear it.  Grab a glass of wine, or a cup of hot chocolate, and listen for it.  It usually happens about 45 minutes after your children are asleep. 

You sit down.  Take a sip.  And you hear nothing.  Perhaps a little music.  But at this moment your mind knows that there should be no sound for at least an hour or two.  With all the sounds of diabetes, sometimes the best one is no sound at all.

In the distance, you just might hear a train whistle passing in the night.

I ama diabetes dad.

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