Hurricane Sandy and Diabetes……..

Hurricane Sandy hit with a fury of which the likes have never been seen here on Long Island. 

Our neighbors in New Jersey, Staten Island, Queens, NYC, and parts of Connecticut were also hugely hit by this incredibly unforgiving storm.

The flow of water connected bay to ocean and literally cut Fire Island into further Islands that if the Army Corp of Engineers cannot fix, will have a life-long impact on Long Island’s mainland.  Friends and neighbors alike have been crushed by the force….so many of us are doing what we can to help.

In all of this, as far as those with diabetes, something was missing. 

As many people know, I have been very active in hurricane relief when it comes to getting diabetes supplies to some sort of boots-on-the-ground force helping others.  In many cases it is with members of LIONs International who literally are in every part of the world imaginable. 

In some cases we were able to get hundreds of people diabetes supplies to last them for some time until a recovery could be made. 

In the horrible aftermath with many deaths, the one call that did not come was the need for diabetes supplies.  Many people in the online community, great as they all are, reached out to me to ask; “What are the needs?”  But interestingly enough with the amount of hospitals in existence on Long Island and in the tri-state area; much medical needs were tended to and taken care of fairly quickly. 

SO many sources came back to me stating, as far as diabetes supplies, we are doing okay and no urgent needs have been requested. 

The place is a wreck and will take a long time to recover; at least the need for diabetes supplies was not on a crucial must need basis…….a bullet gladly dodged; this time. 

Thanks to all who inquired. 

I’m a diabetesdad.

My Sunday dHero…..artistic license please…..Heroes in a Hurricane

 The winds are beginning to pick up out side.  The rain will start shortly.

It is  clear that the picture I provided today is one from long ago.  It is how we remember our kids no matter how old they are ( I tell everyone it is Jill’s first husband).   I was much younger too.

But with one of the worst storms in recent memory making its way up the coast for a direct slam into Long Island….during the height of the danger….during the height of uncertainty…I know where these two babies will be. 

They are much older now—T.J. is 25; a no-nonsense kind of man who is strong when he needs to be and gentle when the time is right.  He is in our neighborhood  fire department and he has eaten smoke; he has even saved a cat from a tree.

Kaitlyn is 22 and on our volunteer ambulance company serving our community as an EMT.  Her knowledge runs deep and her service is exhausting to witness.

Hurricane Sandy surges and my two oldest will be in harm’s way.  They will do it willingly, they will do it until they are not needed.  People will be running FROM impacted areas; Kaitlyn and TJ will be running TOWARD them.  Kaitlyn will be doing it the whole time managing her diabetes.  She understands the ramifications of anything but good control at these crucial times…..she does not waver.

They will be with others who also are laying it all on the line for others….all are heroes.

So my Sunday dHero this weekend, if it is okay with all of you, are my two oldest children T.J. and Kaitlyn——God keep them safe over the next few days.  I love them to no end.  They are not only my Sunday dHeroes—-they are my heroes everyday for doing what so many cannot.  If they fear, they show it not–this is about helping others.  Godspeed my children and bless you, and those like you, for caring so much during Hurricane Sandy’s wrath.

I am a diabetesdad