Tag: Michelle Alswager

Death from Diabetes……A Small Glimmering Light has Arrived

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 3 Comments on Death from Diabetes……A Small Glimmering Light has Arrived

By far, this is the hardest thing that I have been involved both in and with; on our diabetes journey and within our diabetes community.  It is hard.  It is sad.  It is reality.  And quite truthfully it just sucks.

The number one thing that occurs when someone dies in our diabetes community, is the loss of what to do when it happens.  What can we do to help?, is asked over and over again.  What to do, what is right, how to help.  Now there is something with true substance that we can all do when someone passes away.  And unfortunately, it will happen again.  My picture today is the blue candle, but I have added a glimmering light, small as it is, because it is a light that many families will need at their most difficult time, that may now be there to help.  Somewhere to turn when so all alone.

Today is National Bereavement Day and Beyond Type 1 has ONCE AGAIN stepped up, to help our community. I believe that Beyond Type 1 (BT1) is truly one of the most remarkable organizations in existence.  What no one touches…..they hit head on.  Listening to Sarah Lucas, Thom Scher, and/or anyone at BT1 when they discuss diabetes topics, you feel their passion–it becomes tangible; their actions are a force, their actions are quick, their actions have substance.

Today, this wonderful organization has partnered with one of the people I respect most in this battle, Michelle Page Alswager.  Michelle lost her precious Jesse at age 13.  Others may just give in and give up, and truthfully, no one in the world would ever blame them.  Michelle has taken her grief and reached out to help as only someone who has experienced this pain can…….she has made it a rallying cry to help others.  She has been an advocate for years to those who lost someone and, as is their custom (missed diagnosis, Tu Diabetes etc), Beyond Type 1 has stepped in to fill a void, and if you know BT1, you also know they do nothing halfway…….this is no exception.

Jesse Was Here
From their new website page:
Launching August 30, 2018, Jesse Was Here was inspired by Michelle Page-Alswager’s experience after the sudden death of her 13-year-old son, Jesse, from Type 1 diabetes. Grieving the loss of her child, and the potential loss of the diabetes community, she created an online community to support parents who had also lost their children to Type 1 diabetes. By connecting with others who shared her experience, she realized many of those seeking support and opportunities to honor their loved ones, also struggle with unexpected funeral expenses, ongoing medical bills and sometimes even the funds for a headstone. Through her efforts, she discovered many others — not just parents of young children — were looking for peer support, practical information, coping tools and financial assistance. Working together, Michelle and the team at Beyond Type 1 are creating a very special program to serve this unique and deserving community.

Keep this as a resource because, the painful reality, it will be needed.  While you’re at it, give a few bucks to them as well because in reality, they can only help with what they have.  If you have ever asked, How can I help that family?—-now is your chance.

Truthfully, I hated writing this article today because it just reminded me of just so much pain I have seen others go through over the years.  But it is comforting to know that people like Michelle are not afraid to walk-the-walk, and organizations like
Beyond Type 1 are not afraid to listen, and step up.

It is what makes being part of the club none of us wanted to join; a little more bearable.
I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

Diabetes Jeopardy Answer #8 for D-Awareness Month…..She Redefined #23…for Her Son.

Posted on | by tomkarlya | Leave a Comment on Diabetes Jeopardy Answer #8 for D-Awareness Month…..She Redefined #23…for Her Son.

Michelle Alswager…..who is Michelle Alswager

One of the most incredible women I know in this diabetes battle is Michelle.  We, who complain, about what we go through daily are humbled by Michelle’s efforts because Michelle’s son lost his battle with diabetes.  Michelle is stead-fast in her belief that Jesse’s memory is worth her continuing the fight and she is one of the fiercest people I know when it comes to battling diabetes.   number 23 (Jesse passed on February-2-third-3) will never mean the same for any of us who may have touched any part of this magnificent woman’s life. 

Her bio on dLife reads:
Michelle has been a strong advocate in the “d” world since her son, Jesse, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000. After the sudden loss of her son, 10 years later she continues to advocate, educate, and push the envelope in her son’s name. Michelle is the founder and executive producer of the documentary The Science of Inspiration: Diabetes and Athletes – otherwise known as “Triabetes” — about 12 athletes with diabetes completing an Ironman triathlon. Her diabetes credits include working as a moderator on the JDRF Online Diabetes Support Team, as an executive director for two diabetes organizations, as the creator of a type 1 snowboard camp for kids with Sean Busby, and she participates each year in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes, ADA Tour de Cure and Hope on 2 Wheels. She is known for “shaking things up” in the world of advocacy and hopes to talk about some tough topics in “That’s My Point.” Michelle resides in Madison, Wisconsin with her children Samantha and Joey. She is currently the development director for Riding on Insulin.

How she continues is beyond anyone’s comprehension, but she does……. every day.

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’.

T.G.I.F. (Thanking Great Individuals Forever) ……Mile 23…Something Many Will Never Know

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 1 Comment on T.G.I.F. (Thanking Great Individuals Forever) ……Mile 23…Something Many Will Never Know

Today my Thanking Great Individuals Forever (T.G.I.F.) is being given to the efforts of a group of people albeit began by one.

I originally was going to give this to a woman who made a new meaning of the words ‘MILE 23’, but I know she would say, “…… give it in memory to my son.”  More on that in a minute.

You see, Mile 23 is a mile run in silent during any of the incredible bike rides you see happening around the country.  From Death Valley to the NYC-Washington trip, these fabulous bikers raise an enormous amount of money to help diabetes causes; but yet it is Mile 23 that grabs our attention when at each given ride, this mile is done in complete silence.  Just the chains rattling and the wheels spinning in absolute chilling harmony of tribute by groups of two wheelers.

This MILE 23 is a memory mile.  A memory mile  started in honor of the memory of an incredible young man named Jesse.   Jesse passed away due to diabetes on February 3rd, 2010.  His mom, Michelle, has made it a point to make sure that what happened to her family does not happen again.  But it has.  And now “that mile 23 for Jesse” is done for all who have lost this bitter battle of diabetes.

And to those who have had it happen, they have reached out to Michelle and Michelle has been there for them.  She knows.  And unless you have gone through it yourself, you would never understand.  I do not understand; nor would I even begin to relay that I do, I don’t…..truthfully…..may I never.

But Michelle has spent almost 3 years re-telling her story and re-motivating others to know that we all cannot stop and should not stop until a cure is found. So at every ride, Mile 23 is reserved for reflection of those who lost the battle but more so; to remind the rest of us the importance of doing what we can.   

Every time I see the number 23, it reminds me of everything Michelle, The Nicholsons and so many others are yelling to us by their utter Mile 23 silence; “……do not stop.  If  we are not stopping–you have no right to stop.”    And they would be 1000% correct, we have no right to stop.  Don’t do nothing.

Michelle stated that she received a two page letter Jesse wrote from one of his teachers.  She received it from teacher after he passed away.  In the letter he said how proud he was of his mom for everything she did in his life.   Because of this letter she states, “….I know he’ll be there, and he’s proud of me.”

Think about that for a moment, please.

He was proud of Michelle, his mom. 

To the so many that redefined the meaning of a simple mile marker–number 23, especially Michelle Page Alswager, we are proud of her too, Jesse.  Thank you for lending your mom to the diabetes community.  A labor-of-immeasurable-love that will make sure your voice and memory are never, ever, silenced……as long as we all see a Mile 23.

I am a diabetsdad.