Tag: Diabetes

When I first decided to interview Morgan Panzirer, it was about half way through reading her book Actually, I Can (T1D Media, available on Amazon). The title of this article,
An Opportunity, Not an Obstacle, is a rule Morgan Panzirer lives by. I truly wanted to find out if the author of the book I was reading, was as captivating in real life, and as grounded, as she appears in her book. Turns out the book, as good as it is, doesn’t do justice speaking to the author in person. I know this, I have not met many twenty-somethings in my life like Morgan Panzirer.

Almost anyone in the diabetes community knows the name David Panzirer (if you don’t, you should) as he is a grandson of Leona Helmsley and was appointed as a Trustee upon her passing in 2007. The amount of money the Helmsley trust has given to diabetes organizations, research, and causes, is incredibly astronomical. I share this because it’s important you know this in the context of my interview, below, with Morgan. When I picked up the book I knew it was by the daughter of, argumentatively, one of the most influential individual funders to diabetes causes in the last fifty years.

My interview was just she and I.

What I got was a young woman; an extremely kind, articulate, sharp, young woman living with diabetes sharing what that is like; and she is a woman who is on a mission. What I got was a man who, through the eyes of his daughter, is a dad. What I got is a family who undergoes all of the life any family with two kids living with diabetes, must face every day.

We need influential people to help continue funding our diabetes causes but we also need to always remember that at the end of the day, we are all just families living with a disease and being part of a club no one wants to be part of. The difference is in those families who choose to make a difference, and as far as the Panzirer Family is concerned;
Actually, they Do!

DD (Diabetesdad): Thank you for taking the time to talk.  When young people do something in spite and despite diabetes, and do it as well as you did with the book, it was very moving for me.  My own kids have done much, and I love seeing when young people do something to help others.  I loved, loved, love your book.

MP (Morgan Panzirer):  Thank you very much. 

DD: When were you diagnosed?

MP: I was diagnosed March 22^nd, 2007 at the age of 6 and am now 20.

DD: When did you start the idea of writing a book.

MP: It actually did not start out as a book.  I always wrote and wrote about things important to me.  When I was diagnosed I wrote about living with T1D.  How I felt, what frustrated me.  I would write when I had a good day, a bad day, just life.  I wrote through middle school and was unsure where the writings would go, and in 10^th grade I just shut it down, unsure what I would do with these writings……they sat on my computer.  My senior year in high school, I came across it again and I gave it to my teacher and asked her if she thought anything was there?  She read it.  She loved it. From there we worked together, edited it more, continued and finished it, and the rest is history.  We bought it to a publisher and after about 9 months, the book was ready to go.  In total it was about a year and half from when I started.

DD: Now that you look back on it, so much has changed in our world from COVID to so much more.  Would you change or add anything?

MP: Great question.  So much happened as I transitioned to college.  Being on my own for the first time, there were certainly challenges with that and moving forward for my first two years in college.  I would write about my experiences coming here, to Villanova, and the adjustment…….and it was an adjustment.

DD: …..and your dream?

MP: To become an endocrinologist.

DD: Let’s go back to the moment you were diagnose and you realized life would change as it has for so many. In as bad as that must have been, and as you look back and recognize that change, was there anything else in your life that you can remember, that also changed your life……not being about diabetes.

MP: Another really good question.  There certainly have been times when I absolutely realized that life could, and was about to, just change on a dime.  My Great Uncle, who was like a father-figure to my dad, was fine one day, had some trouble with his vision, had an MRI, and 9 months later he was gone from brain cancer.  Life is just so fragile. We just cannot take any day for granted because we just don’t know.

DD: So, as you went through this particular tragedy, this horrendous tragedy, did you find yourself saying; “Wow, I got this (dealing with diabetes)” comparing the tragedy you were dealing with?

MP: Totally, 100 percent.  It’s funny you said that because for years my siblings and I would shop for Christmas presents for kids in children’s hospital.  And we would go and deliver these gifts.  One year, about two years after I was diagnosed, I remember walking around the hospital delivering gifts and I turned to my parents and said, “My diabetes is nothing compared to this.”
Now to be clear, I’m not minimizing what it’s like to live with diabetes, and I know how serious it is, but just walking through the children’s ward it was just eye opening on how much so many have to deal with as well.  I can handle what I have.

DD: Let’s touch on that for a minute.  It’s like a two-edged sword as you, my kids, and others don’t look like those in a St. Jude’s commercial.  Encouraging our kids to live life to the fullest, a commercial is not going to move people like a puppy in a cage to help.  What would you do, given the chance, to tell the story about what it’s like to live with this disease?  To get others to help….with funding a cure, education, whatever the cause, but to somehow help the diabetes community?  How would you walk that line and get that message of getting those to help, and at the same time show the world that people with T1D can do great things…….like even becoming a pediatric endocrinologist?  How do we move people?

MP: I think the only true way, is to somehow show a ‘day in the life of….’.  One truly does not understand unless they live with it, or it is in their household and they see it first-hand.  The balance of living life while tending to blood sugars and everything diabetes is an ongoing and never-ending situation.  That the management and living with it impacts every other single thing done throughout the day needs to be shown. I think how to do that in a minute or so public service announcement would be a real challenge.

DD:  Your sister, Caroline, who is three years younger than you, was also diagnosed about three years ago.  Share about that day.

MP: She was enrolled in a clinical trial and she was showing all of the auto-antibodies so we kind of knew it might be coming.  But we surely did not know when.  After watching me my entire life, being told that it was probably going to happen at some point, I believe, is tougher that when it’s a complete surprise.  When she was diagnosed, my chief concern, and goal, was what could I do to help during this transition.  I know how challenging it is, I wanted to help her understand.  Thinking of ways, I could be there and support her during that time.

DD: Did you feel almost an obligation to nurture her and help her along?

MP: Yes, completely.  She is a very, very, good lacrosse player.  To help her manage her diabetes so she could continue that became very important to me.  To give her suggestion on balancing those blood sugars, as much as she would allow me.

DD: My daughter, and her younger brother, both have diabetes and Kaitlyn speaks to her brother in ways I could never do.  Do you find that you can say things to Caroline about diabetes that your mom and dad couldn’t?

(Morgan laughs)

MP: Absolutely. 

DD: One of the many stories I found interesting was when your mom went for a run, ran into Martha Stewart, came back home, and shortly thereafter, you’re on the way to the studio to be on the show.  Can you share that story?

MP: My mom is a big runner and she runs with her friend.  I was pretty young but I remember that Martha Steward lived pretty close to us, and they were running on a dirt road, and Martha was on one of her horses, and they all began a conversation. Somehow, which is not so uncommon, my mom talked about me dealing with diabetes and Martha was pretty taken about our journey and said we should be on the show.  My mom came home and said, “Hey, guess who I ran into today?”
One thing led to another and my mom said one day, “You’ll be missing school today we are going to be on a television show.”  We went into the studio and of course one of my most vivid memories was my mom sobbing on camera.  I was probably 7 or 8.  But we did the show, a chance to teach others.

DD:  I deal, meet, and know many, many people in the diabetes community and you have a gift many people would like to have.  Your positive attitude is so evident in your life.  Why is that?

MP: I think, in part, it is the timing of my diagnosis.  Kids are resilient.  I was extremely frustrated, at a young age, when I was diagnosed.  But it was here.  I had choices to make on how it would impact me and my life.  I remember actually thinking, “Well, I’m not going to get out of this, so I might as well make the best of it.”  I’m not so sure I would have the same attitude if I was diagnosed in my teen-age years.  I knew there was no choice and my nature growing up was not a pity party and walking around with my head down.  I have things I want to do.  I want to get to the things that I want to do.  My attitude of I’m just going to deal with what comes my way, really got me through.

DD:  I have to ask you.  It’s just so very clear that your family has been extremely fortunate and have provided incredible opportunity for you.  Your mom and dad have worked hard and I have to share, nowhere does it come across the life style you have had.  You make it clear that you understand the life you‘ve been given.  And, yet, nowhere in the book, with the exception of sharing a few meetings with some known people (The Pope, Presidents, Celebrities) did I feel for one second that ‘privileged attitude’ and quite honestly, the ability you have to stay grounded in the world around you is almost envious, why is that do you think?

MP: A really good question again.  An honest ask. Yes, I do know but I have never thought I was, or wanted to be, better than anyone else.  I think everyone around you, has a story to tell.  I love meeting new people.  I’m well aware that what you first see in someone is not always what you get.  People could be going through horrible times behind closed doors and we would have no idea.  I’m open to new people and chatting a conversation is something I enjoy doing, with anyone.

DD: You stated already that your mom and dad made sure that giving back was part of the family dynamic.

MP: From the time I was a child.

DD: I like to close my interviews with a little thing I created.  I will say a word or a phrase, tell me the first things that pops into your head, either a single word or a short phrase.  Ready?

MP: Yes.  I think it’s a bit scary…….
(Both of us laugh)

DD: Speaking in Public?

MP: Nerve racking.

DD: Diabetes?

MP: Frustrating.

DD: Pope Francis (whom she met)?

MP: Incredible.

DD: Gideon (her horse)?

MP: Love. (Laughs)

DD: Dealing with a blood sugar reaction during an activity?

MP: One of the most frustrating things ever.

DD: Karen Zlotnick (Morgan’s high school English Teacher)?

MP: An influential part in getting the book out.

DD: Cure?

MP: Hopefully in my life time.

DD: Management tools?

MP: They have come so far in just the 14 years since I was diagnosed.

DD: Mom and Dad?

MP: The most supportive parents I could ever ask for.

DD: Caroline and Luke?

MP: Always keep me grounded and we have a lot of fun together.

DD: I am hoping that my tomorrow will be………what?

MP: (thinks for a moment) Will be filled with whatever I want it to be.

DD: Thank you very much for your time.  I have stated before that your family is so special to me in how you all have impacted the diabetes world around us.  From your dad’s no-nonsense approach to moving the needle, to all of you; and the way you support each other.  The way that you, your mom, and how you all are not afraid to share your story so others may learn is inspiring. I thank you for your time.

MP:  Thank you, I truly enjoyed this.

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

It is now in year 12 that my dear friend and wife of my Little Brother (from another mother but just as close)Mark has left this world.  Lisa was a one-of-a-kind woman who proved to the world that one person, just one, is all it takes to change the world; the Power of One.  In memory of that voice that changed the world, I made a promise that I would give Lisa Awards each year to deserving individuals that understand the Power of One.

It’s given to people who, in their own way, change the world just like Lisa did.  This is a VERY BIG deal to me because these awards are not given lightly.  They are given in honor of a woman who was not satisfied to just feel sorry for herself, she changed many lives and I miss her to this day.  My friend Lisa passed away in 2009, at the young age of 36. She battled cancer longer than any doctor thought she would, or even could. Through her life, I learned a hugely powerful phrase that will live inside me forever, along with Lisa’s memory: The power of one person.

Here is a quick summary of Lisa’s story, before we get to the awards. She was diagnosed with cancer.  Lisa and Mark shared their writings of her journey, in real-time, with a hundred or so friends and family members, all of whom were inspired by each word. People learned, shared, and were in awe of their strength and dedication.

And then something happened.

People who were not part of the inner circle started reading the blog posts, and those people became inspired. The hundred readers became five hundred. In no time, the number of readers rose to 1,000, then 1,500. Soon 3,500 people were following Lisa’s story at every turn, both the good and the bad.   Lisa and Mark were so brave in the face of incredible hardship and they inspired others to do the same with grace and dignity, sprinkled with humor.

And then something else happened.

A TV station found out about Lisa and they ran the story on the evening news of her incredible efforts to teach others. Millions heard her story and were inspired by the magic she possessed — the determination to live life and taste every last drop was shared with millions.  So many others now facing trials hit those trial ‘head on’, inspired by this young couple.

Eventually, what Lisa and Mark shared so openly, became a reality and she succumbed to the physical-ness of what cancer can do.  Her spirit, though, was never defeated.  The war would go on with Lisa and Mark’s teaching. Her “power of one” changes lives to this day.

This column, surrounding Lisa’s birthday month, pays tribute to those who understand Lisa’s philosophy of the power of one person. Because I’m more versed with the happenings inside the diabetes community, my Lisa Awards are given to those people who live Lisa’s determination to make a difference with the “power of one” in the diabetes community. These people don’t do it — whatever ‘it’ is — for only themselves, they do it because they think it will make a difference in the lives of those with diabetes. Lisa’s words live in these special people — they know and understand the power of one.

Also, just over a year ago, I lost one of the most influential people in not only my world, but the diabetes world as well, and a dear, dear friend.  Paula Ford-Martin is the reason I have the mantra Diabetes-Dad.  She was a writer, editor, and all-around genius-with-the-word whether in print or broadcast media.  She was a book author, a blogger, and to me; is the main reason the dLife TV show on CNBC was as good as it was.  Paula passed just over a year ago in the same battle Lisa had, and she also is the only one who I bestowed the Lisa Award to twice because she not only understood the meaning of the Power of One, she lived it as an open book right to her less breath to teach others, not only in her own illness, (www.livingwithstageIV.com), but in the real life of her own children’s transition, she became a voice to be heard in the LGBTQIA community as well.  This year, each recipient of the Lisa Award-Power of One is awarded to those who used the written (or/and spoken) word in making a difference; in honor of Paula as well.

This year’s recipients are:
Morgan Panzirer.

Morgan’s book, Actually I Can, is an autobiographical account of her life living with diabetes, with the key emphasis on ‘living’. And living she is indeed doing. Now in college in a pursuit of entering the world of medicine, and a lifetime meeting everyone from presidents to superstars and even the pope; but also battling high blood sugars and daily diabetes management, it’s quite clear that Morgan is surely experiencing EVERYTHING life has, both good and bad. It’s not easy to put it all out there showing the world who you are, it’s a tad surprising when it’s someone as young as Morgan. Still in her teens when she wrote the book, her account of what it’s like living with T1D is a must read for anyone, but specifically for those in their teen years. A few years ago, I wrote about Morgan’s dad, diabetes philanthropist and businessman, David Panzirer. Like her dad, Morgan calls them exactly as she see them in her life, and the life she leads, as she deals with diabetes. She makes it clear that there will be no pity-party in their house, she has too much living to do. Morgan’s book is a realistic look at what she goes through every single day and how important it is to keep a self-check on all you do both physically and mentally, when it cones to T1D. She understands what she has and what she needs to do. She understands she is more fortunate than many, but she also lays it out for others to understand that diabetes just doesn’t care who you are and/or where you’re from and she readily points out that it’s not the fear of the storm but more about learning to dance in the rain. She makes it clear to all who are reading her book that if she can live with T1D, anyone can. ………that you will come out on top no matter what it takes.
As I read, I came to understand that this is one very special young person. As I interviewed her for an upcoming article, I was touched by her sensitivity to those who had to undergo what she did. She now feels it’s her mission in life to let others know what she found out…..yes, actually, they can. When others might have just kept silent, Morgan is a living voice of The Power of One.

My second Lisa Award Recipient is:
Stacey Simms.

Stacey is a host of a podcast at Diabetes Connections, which she does; and an author, The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom—which she clearly is not. With a very extensive background in broadcast journalism, Stacey traded in the glitz and bright lights to help others as she conquered her own trials being a mom to a son who was diagnosed with T1D just prior to turning 2.
The amount of awards she has won and the amount of recognition her podcast has been given changes nothing of Stacey’s drive to just help………one parent at a time. To help people living with diabetes…….one person at a time. Her interviews read as a who’s who in the diabetes world, and it is not uncommon to find hear lectures online about being ‘the worst mom’ across the United States which are really just morsels of experiences she has learned over the years. “We must make mistakes in parenting, it’s how we learn and it’s how how we can best give our children the gifts of resilience and self-confidence.”
Her velvet voice and incredible interviews make listening an absolute joy and one of the easiest and best ways to educate ones self about diabetes as a whole and also to hear what powerhouses in the diabetes world have to say. One microphone, one woman, and a whole lotta good for this world to experience. Power of One, indeed.

My third Lisa Award Recipient is:
Renza Scibilia

Renza is one of those people who, wherever and whenever you see her walking towards you at a conference, you automatically just smile. Chances are, as she is walking toward you, she is already smiling. She possesses an incredible energy that just shines out of her. Her Diabetogenic, Real Life with Diabetes Award Winning Blog is as much an educational tool as it is a sword for those who do anything to lessen the voice of a patient’s needs to be heard loud and clear. When I saw the picture I included in this article, it just shows you who Renza is (minus being a wife and mother too) doing what she is known for, the written word. Living in the world down-under, she travels from Australia as much as needed to lecture and share he experiences, her wins, her loses, and her life living with T1D for over 20 years. Renza lays it all out there for all to see and she is also not afraid to pick up the baton for those voices needing to be heard. A woman who lives by the mantra that her life is not about diabetes…..and it is isn’t, it’s about helping others. Renza is as comfortable being a lead panelist at a worldwide conference as she is is sitting with you having a glass of wine. She is as comfortable speaking to a child about living with T1D as she is fierce about giving a voice to those who go unheard, In as much as I just love seeing that smiling face coming towards me at a conference, I’m just as grateful that my kids with T1D have that advocacy voice speaking up to better their lives. She is a force that proves just how valuable a voice can be, even as a Power of One.

And that rounds out this incredible year of Lisa Award Recipients. Hard to believe that it’s 12 years since Lisa left us, and just over a year since Paula did. If there is one thing I have learned doing these awards each year, it’s just how magnificent people can be. And the world is full of those who just believe that the Power of One, is Power enough………to change the world, even if it is just one person at a time.

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