Tag: Reegan

What am I Doing Here?……..for Kycie, for Reegan……the Fight Goes On!

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 3 Comments on What am I Doing Here?……..for Kycie, for Reegan……the Fight Goes On!

Kyce ReeganThis is the question I asked myself as I looked at the many attendees at the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Annual Meeting who stopped in to the presentation of the incredibly knowledgeable Susan Weiner and myself at our missed diagnosis of T1D.  People believe that speaking in front of a large crowd is easy for me, in reality it is not, for reason that those who are close to me understand.  It is even more daunting when the audience is full of professionals.  REALLY SHARP PROFESSIONALS.

The week before I was to speak I reached out to two parents who lost their child to this disease being misdiagnosed and to fill them in on what was happening. It is always a stark reminder to me that this work should not, and will not, stop for me until the paradigm is changed to a direction where each and every person showing stomach virus like symptoms (and more) are checked for elevated blood sugars.

What makes it easier for me to present is when I reflect on each and every person I have met in this battle who has a child who and is no longer here because a simple blood check was not done.  I also reflect on the many people who have joined this fight, and have been in this fight, long before we have arrived where we are today…….but make no mistake; the surface is barely scratched.

Presenting at AADE allowed a very unique opportunity.  Hopefully, and eventually, every state will hear the message and carry the banner.  The list keeps getting longer of those who help and when it comes to AADE, Susan has been my mentor and guide through the maze of people more educated than I could ever become and true community leaders.  My thanks to her are endless.

I also know I have a story to tell……..and as long as I have a breath in me, the story will continue to be told………it’s owed that much energy, and more, to Kycie, Reegan, and the so many more who can no longer fight for themselves.  Are you still in the fight? Because we surely need everyone willing to spread the word.  Let’s not wait for the next Kycie or Reegan to happen to say, ‘this is horrible’.  Let’s get rid of ‘horrible’.
I am a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

A Gorgeous Face that Will Change a World……..She Will Never Know!!!!

Posted on | by tomkarlya | 7 Comments on A Gorgeous Face that Will Change a World……..She Will Never Know!!!!

ReeganIt is my sincerest hope that this gorgeous, and beautiful face, will change the world that she will never see.  This is Reegan.  In 2013, at the age of 16 months, Reegan lost her battle on a diagnosis that was never known.  By time that diagnosis was discovered, the damage was done and eventually Reegan lost her battle and passed away.

Reegan’s blood sugar was up over 1100.

I have written before about the many people who have faced such incredible hardship, such incredible obstacles, and yet, still stood up to say that diabetes WILL NOT DO in this world.  Especially when the rest of the world would fully understand if one just crawled in a hole due to the incredible amount of pain.

But to Reegan’s mother, Darice, DIABETES JUST WILL NOT do.  She is trying to make sense out of why such a beautiful child was taken so young.  Darice is a strong woman, a woman of faith.  She cannot do anything to change what has happened, but she is on a mission to make sure it never happens again.  Her Reegan’s Rule will attempt change in her home state of North Carolina……..and THAT is only the beginning.

Darice and I spoke, at length, and I’m convinced that my Child’s Cry for Change initiative about educating the world about flu/virus symptoms masking the onset of Type 1 Diabetes; and Darice’s Reegan’s Rule have the exact same objectives and we will join together to making a difference in Reegan’s name.

I have followed up on Darice’s contacts and reached out to the Legislatures in North Carolina who are taking Reegan’s Rule to their Capitol.  Reegan’s Rule will get larger in scope as we include various education initiatives in Reegan’s name under the Reegan’s Rule banner, that makes sense to do.

I will continue this mission and will continue with Darice and her family.  If we can get it done in North Carolina, we can get it done elsewhere.  I will continue working with others like the National Association of School Nurses and others.  More will follow, and if you want to get involved, send me an email at tkarlya@drif.org.  If you want to help their family NOW, sign this petition to get a law passed for kids to be tested at check-ups.  It’s a start; and much more will follow.

We need to do anything we can to make sure flu/virus like symptoms are not masking the onset for T1 Diabetes (or even for T2 Diabetes).  A diagnosed cannot be missed while a child is in DKA when it is mistaken for the flu or a virus.

We will do all we can to change that in this country.  It might be a law, it might be an initiative, it might be a movement…………………….but IT SURELY will be: 
Reegan’s Rule!

I am a diabetes dad.

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