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

Banting artI 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’.

 

Diabetes Jeopardy Answer #4 for Diabetes Awareness Month—–She Truly Must Never, Ever Sleep.

kerrisparling…..and the answer is, who is Kerri Sparling.

Kerri telling the story when, as a child, she was informed of now having diabetes; “…..but I do remember being told it (diabetes) was forever and at that point in time forever was a huge concept for a small kid……forever that means until Christmas; right?……no, forever is like every Christmas……”  It is this kind of honest and sharing of her heart that makes Kerri Sparling a gem of gems in the diabetes community–both online and off.

I never have to read a book, or a collection of passages, to ever motivate myself to try to do more; I only need to take a look at what Kerri is doing.  I have never met anyone that seems to be everywhere in this world of diabetes as Kerri Sparling.  Add to this the title of mom and wife; makes everything she does even more amazing.   By her very existence as a diabetes advocate, she will humble a person to their knees with her constant outreach into the diabetes community.  She is not tireless….she defines it.

Many know her blog Six Until Me (and go there now to see her incredible Hope vs. Fear:The Video Edition), but it is everything from sharing both what she knows and her own personal life living as a person with T1D at large conferences; to the taking of a phone call to help someone in trouble; that makes this one of the most impactful women that I know in this battle.  She is as straight-a-shooter as they come, and she understands this DOC well enough to know how to help at almost any turn. 

You may already know her, but if you don’t, you will serve yourself well by doing so.

For Diabetes Awareness Month:

This month, I will be highlighting someone in the diabetes community.  They may be people you know, or might not know, but they give of themselves to make this world, our world, with diabetes a special place.   I will not get to everyone this month, but it is my hope that perhaps you can be introduced to some of those you may not know.

I’m certainly not the definitive on who should be included….you are.  If you think I should include someone, shoot me an email at tkarlya@drif.org and I will do what I can to include that person as well.  Welcome to diabetes awareness month.

I am a diabetes dad.

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