Frederick Banting – DiabetesDad

I Have always found that the most incredible things happen right in our own back yard. The portrait above was made by 8th grader, Talia. Diagnosed in 2009, Talia has always been grateful to Sir Frederick Banting for his discovery of insulin.

Her admiration of his work is why she drew the picture of him…..but the real art in this work is something that you have to look very closely to see. This is not made up of lines or just at random——every inch of this drawing is made up of words.

Not just any words either.

There truly can be no mistake about it that Kerri Sparling is one of the most respected writers and lecturers in the diabetes community. Her incredible attitude and drive to inform others makes her a powerhouse in this field.

The words used in this drawing are from Kerri’s initial blog ‘penned’ in 2005. Talia was, and is, inspired by Kerri’s Six Until Me writings and she chose her because the inspiration of Kerri and Dr. Banting gave her the vision to create her drawing.

Now here is the interesting part of the story and why I chose to write about it. In as much as I love the entire concept, the story takes a turn right about here. This was an artwork made for school, and where most students created random people and partially added words, Talia took the time, and a lot of time, to create Kerri’s writing to make up the entire face.

But as fate would have it……..there was a strike at Talia’s school and the school year ended before she could even turn it in. So no one saw it.

That is unacceptable to me.

So if you find the drawing as incredibly interesting as most, kindly post here and congratulate Talia on this incredible master piece. Where the school may have failed, I am sure the DOC can make up the difference in letting Talia know what we think of her incredible work. So reply today!!!

I forwarded this to Kerri who wrote back to me; This truly took my breath away, and this is the first time I’m seeing it. I wish I had a print of this to hang at my house. Seeing someone use my words to create their art is a collaboration I’m honored to be a part of.

Talia likes to go to summer camp, and loves to dance, swim, and read. Her goal in life is to become a marine biologist, her mom, Terese tells me. But on this day in early summer, to an entire diabetes community, to an entire world—-she is an incredible talent who has given something to this world to admire. Let her know how you feel.

And I’ll take that any day.

I am a diabetes dad.

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

Tomorrow is Diabetes Awareness Day; November 14^th, the birthday of Frederick Banting one of the few credited with the discovery of insulin. At the time, the headlines stated insulin was a cure. It wasn’t; still isn’t. But when one has nothing, it surely was a great step in saving lives; still does.

November 14^th, tomorrow, is by no means a holiday to me. When I was a child and Mother’s Day rolled around I would say to my mom, “When is Child’s Day?” You all know the answer to question as I am sure every mom has the same answer; (all together now) “Every day is Child’s Day.”

That is somewhat how I feel about diabetes. I do not need a specific day to be reminded about diabetes. I do not need to see ‘something special’ done on the fourteenth of November each year. We, as a community need to continue rowing together demanding the best from the companies and the organizations we support. We need to continue to work together to make sure ‘the media’ gets right and we see diabetes painted in the light according to the specific types and what that represents.

Because when it comes right down to it, in my life, November the fourteenth is the same as every other day. It will remain like every other day until there is a cure; 100% every day. How about you?

What have you done today to try to make a difference in the world of diabetes; or in the life of your child with diabetes above and beyond daily management? I might be for starting something on this date if never done before, but when it comes time for ‘doing something’ we better be doing that every day of the year or we will never move the needle (pun intended) when it comes to diabetes care and a cure.

I know, that management in itself is much to ask isn’t it? But we all need to “not do nothing”—-if our child deals with diabetes 24/7/365—-why are we not doing more? It will not go away until we all work diligently to that end. Cure, better management tools, and getting involved–never be satisfied with where you are at. EVER. In it to end it…..need help to get involved, just ask me–I have plenty of ideas.

Each soldier has to take care of their own well-being, but when together they become an ever forward moving army ready to do battle. Nothing less can be expected by anyone else who ‘has skin in the game’.

Let’s work to making November 14^th about a week before Thanksgiving and nothing more.

The diabetes battle is every day. Get involved today.

I’m a diabetesdad.

Tag: Frederick Banting

An Incredible 8th Grader+Kerri Sparling+Sir Frederick Banting=WOW!

Tomorrow is…………Yeah, so What?