DBlogger Meet Up-Philly Style OR 9 Diabetics Walk into a Bar.....

So 9 Diabetics walk into a bar.......
From left to right: Faye, Kerri, Caitlin, Karen, Hannah (flashing the t1 Gang Sign) Manny, LeeAnn, Yours Truly (also flashing the t1 Gang Sign) and Zack

Thursday night there was a Diabetes Meet up, Philly style.

Kerri over at SUM was in town for a conference regarding social media, pharmaceutical companies, and patient bloggers working together to help patients & their communities.

Kerri had mentioned on her blog that she was looking to for Philly Dfolk to meet up on Thursday night.

After a flurry of emails amoungst a group who had some names I both recognized & didn't, it was decided we’d meet up at Monks, a Belgian Beer Bar in the City.

Cut to Thursday, evening and me furiously trying to secure a parking spot near the bar. After finally finding a spot on Latimar Street, I was fanatically scrounging for quarters when I received a call from Kerri.

I picked up the receiver and said: I’m on my way, just scrounging for quarters to park!
Kerri: What? Is this Kelly?

Me: Yep! I’ll be right there, just trying to find quarters.
Kerri: The location been changed. Our party is too big; we’re going to The Black Sheep around the corner.

Me: Great-I’ll see you in a few!

I knew where The Sheep was and thankfully, it was literally two blocks up from where I’d parked.

I walked in the crowed bar and immediately spied LeeAnn from the Butter Compartment.
We hugged and she introduced me to her husband Jason, who I’d already felt like I’d known since I’d read so much about him over these many months.

We walked towards the back of the bar where I recognized Kerri.
We gave one another a hug and later I would find out that we both were eerily similar when it came to math, reading maps, and all things related to directional skills and the likes there of.
Kerri introduced me to Faye from Sugar Bump and her t3 counterpart Chris.
And then we were introduced to Zack and Karen, two t1’s who I’d conversed with over the groups emails.

And SURPRISE, SURPRISE-GUESS who was sitting at the end of the table? None other than Manny, A.K.A Mr. Tu Diabetes, who was also attending the same conference Kerri was.

We grabbed another table and the conversations started. We chatted away about all things diabetes and not. All of us commented on the fact that the bar was literally a sweat lodge, and all were saddened regarding Farrah’s passing, and shocked that Michael J had passed away earlier in the day. No wonder The Sheep was blasting Thriller!

We ordered our food, and LeeAnn and I made a bargain D style. I needed change for two dollars because I needed quarters for the meter. LeeAnn had forgotten her test strips in the rush to catch her train to the city.

LeeAnn: Do you have a One Touch meter? Because I’ll give you the quarters if you can give me some test strips- I forgot mine!

Me: YES, and you don’t have to give me the quarters-Lets just do an even exchange. After fumbling around at the bottom of my bag, I found my strips (whose code # was 17) and gave her 4, and told her the code.

LeeAnn: OMG, my meter is already calibrated for number 17!

Me: Then it’s kismet!

Then I cashed in my chips so to speak and felt relieved that my parking situation was under control.

My friend Emily walked in and was followed by Katelyn- a newly diagnosed t1 and Miss Hannah M from Dorkabetic!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

It was a Diabetes frenzy of laughter and understanding. There’s nothing quite like being with a bunch of Diabetics- it’s an amazing experience to sit with a group who absolutely gets not only where your going, but where you’ve been.

We were a group of type 1’s-loud, proud, and all grown up!

Type 1 Diabetics are not just children. While it’s true that many of us at the table were diagnosed as a child, we’ve grown up to become adults, productive members of society and our communities. Some have married and had children; others are still looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right. All of us struggle not just with our diabetes, but to be seen and heard by a society who continually lumps PWD’s into two groups.

Small children and over weight adults.

All people living with Diabetes (t1, t1.5, t2, etc) are so much more than that.

We are a tenacious group who work hard to live good lives.
We are articulate because we have to constantly dispel any all rumors associated with our disease.

We continually educate ourselves and others regarding Diabetes because we must.

And when we get together as a group, we laugh from our bellies and appreciate those who we are laughing with us, because they get “it” on every level.

A wonderful time was had by all!

It's Like, Two, Two, Two Test Strips In One

So I was in a rush to get to Center City Philadelphia tonight (last night? I'm posting after midnight but the following occurred like 5 hrs ago on Thursday evening) to meet with a bunch a fellow Dbloggers - I'll post about the group tomorrow/today?- (WHATEVER), because I'm really beat and I'm starting to get loopy.

Anyway I switched handbags and literally dumped the contents of one bag into another and jumped in my car - I didn't want to be late! I drove around for 40 minutes looking for street parking and finally found a primo spot on Latimar Street. Before I jumped out of the car to feed the meter and rush to the restaurant, I thought I'd grab a mint,...just in case.

I reached in my bag, grabbed my fancy Starbucks Mints, slid the fancy Mint holder open

AND this is what I saw.......

Actual aerial footage of Kelly's contaminated mints- DAMN YOU TEST STRIPS!!

SERIOUSLY - those f^*$ing test strips get in EVERYTHING!!!

All I could think of was the CERTS commercial from when I was little- the one where the actors said something along the lines of: Certs, it's like two, two, two mints in one!

Except of course, it was: Two, two, two test strips in one!

Then I reached for my camera and took I pic.

I also popped a mint in my mouth (the ones furthest from the strips of course) because they were my test strips after all and i still needed a mint.

Don't worry, I didn't offer anyone else one all night!

Yesterdays Visit to The ADA/Donovan McNabb Camp For Kids-GOD I Miss Diabetes Camp!

Camp Entrance -- I was so excited I could barely take the pic!

Yesterday was amazing day! I had the pleasure of Speaking to a group of 40 + teenagers (GULP), counselors, and assorted staff at the Donovan McNabb Camp for Kids at Camp Green Lane, in Green Lane, PA.

Back in March Kate Nichter, ADA Associate Manager, Community Outreach and Camp Director contacted me. She wanted to know if I was interested in speaking to the teens about the funny and positive side of life with D.

I was excited and nervous. Not so much about the speaking part-I have big mouth. Lets face folks, teens can be tough, diabetic or not. But I was more than willing because t1 kids have a huge place in my heart, and said yes. I wanted to talk with them, not to or at them.
We agreed on a date (June 22, 2009) and a few weeks later I received my confirmation letter.

Cut to yesterday morning, and me driving through the beautiful and winding roads of Harleysville, PA. As I pasted rolling hills and farms that should be on the over of National Geographic, I started remembering my trips to Diabetes Camp in Spring Mount, PA way back in the day. After coming to a complete stop to let 2 wild turkeys cross the road, I arrived at the camps entrance (see pic) and began having serious camp flashbacks!


For just a second I was 10 years old and all sorts of excited to be getting away from “it all.” I’d be with other kids who didn’t know that my geek factor was high. They wouldn’t care about my diabetes because they had themselves.

And this one time, at Diabetes Camp, I ...Wait a minute, SNAP OUT OF IT KEL! – Your an adult, a Camp Speaker and guest for goodness sake, not a camper! Then I heard kids laughing in the distance, I looked around and the greenery was lush, the cabins were white with green shutters, & I swear I was at my old camp!

I called Kate and let her know that I’d arrived and we met in the center of camp.

We’d never actually met face-to-face, just via email and over the phone. It was great to finally put a face to the voice! I mentioned that some of my fondest memories in life took place at Diabetes Camp and that memories were flooding back at record speed!

She took me to big pavilion where I’d be talking to the kids. Then she mentioned that the group of 40, maybe 45 teens would be arriving soon.

Then I got a little nervous - I originally thought the number would be closer to 25. It wasn't the number of people, it was the fact that the people were teens! Teens can be intimidating, at least in large groups larger than 30.
BUT, I rolled with the number and said to Kate:- The more the merrier! To myself I thought- BRING THEM ON!

The kids began arriving and filling seats. Nobody wanted to fill the front rows. Me being me, asked them to move up to the seats in front, and started making small talk with anyone I made eye contact with.

Then it was time to get started!

I introduced myself and took a count of the campers who were on pumps verses shots (it was about even,) and brought up the fact that there is indeed a funny side to life with Diabetes. At first the kids looked at me like I had 3 heads. But then I started talking about the Diabetes Police; pump tubing, friends and family’s silly questions, and looks of recognition came to their faces. A few began to raise their hands and give examples.

And then I mentioned that perks that diabetes had its PERKS.

Yes, PERKS. Like eating in class, playing jokes on unassuming substitutes that involved eating in class (they all seemed quite familiar with that concept), getting to know what works for you and your diabetes & getting a medical pass to go to the front of all the lines at amusement parks because of Diabetes. YES, the latter is really an option, especially if the weather is hot and your insulin (either in your pump or in your knapsack) is in danger of overheating.

Medical passes require a Dr.’s note and some extra time at the ticket counter – but it’s totally worth it! THE KIDS WERE TOTALLY INTO IT!

I also wanted them to know that humor helps you deal: Look you can get mad, annoyed, and frustrated with diabetes but it’s not going anywhere.

And then a girl in with glasses raised her hand and said: Yeah – that will just make your blood sugar high!

YES, another friend in the crowd!

The conversation continued in earnest –I told them some of my Diabetes experiences and I wanted to know how they handled life with D. Many shared stories about friends and family. There was laughter, some wisecracks, and many examples of life with D!

Some kids were more than willing to share, and grabbed the mic and told stories about grandmom only buying them sugar free treats or popcorn, even when they explained the whole carb counting thing to her. Some told of friends getting worried when their gum wasn’t sugar free.

I told them of a time in Diabetes lore (which had actually been a nightmare/reality) not so long ago, when EVERYTHING was off limits and blood sugar monitors took 5 minutes to calibrate and came with a 30 page book of instructions. I spoke of blue fuzzy pills that needed to be dropped in urine filled test tubes that were grosser than gross and not accurate at all.
Everyone agreed urine testing was disgusting!

I gave the mic to one boy in blue who’d raised his hand and he floored me with what he had to say.

Boy In Blue: Nobody at school knows about my diabetes.
Me: REALLY -why?

Boy In Blue: Because I don’t want them too.

Me: Well, don’t they see your pump? I can see it from here. He quickly covered his pump & never broke eye contact.

Boy in Blue: No, I don’t want them to know.

Me: I totally get that (But now I've got to get this guy to smile and change his thinking-OH GOD) but keep in mind, girls like boys who are confident about who they are. Plus, your insulin pump makes you look like a real sensitive techno genius – and we totally love those types!

He laughed out loud, and said: Hmm, OK I’ll think about it!

Some didn’t want to talk in front of the crowd at all, but afterwards there was some really great small group and 1 on 1 conversations that became incredibly personal. The teens shared what really bothered them regarding D. Some shared “Boy in Blue’s” sentiments and didn’t want to tell their friends and classmates about their diabetes. They feared negative reactions.

I told them that everyone has” something,” be it family problems, diabetes, or a shellfish or peanut allergies. WE ALL HAVE ISSUES. Any of your friends allergic to peanuts?

Oh yeah, they chimed.

Me: OK, because nut and shellfish allergies can kill instantly. People with those allergies cant have any food that’s even prepared in the same bowl as something prepared with nuts or shrimp, because if their allergy is that severe, it could cause their throat to close. Every time your friends with those allergies go to a restaurant or to friends house they MUST bring up their allergy. Their life literally depends on it. That allergy is DEADLY- Diabetes doesn’t have to be. IS it pain in the ass sometimes? YES.

And then Camper in Black Tee said: Tell me about it!

ME: EXACTILY...I mean what if your friend saw you pass out due to a low or high blood sugar? Let’s take you out of the equation for a second and think about them. How do you think that mental image would affect them?

Camper in Pink: They’d be scared, it might really mess them up as adults.


Me: (God she’s so right on!) Yeah, so it’s just not about us .

Camper In Pink: I think I might tell my second best friend about D. My teachers and best friend know, but I think I might tell my second best friend, so she never has to freak. Plus, I wont have to keep running to the bathroom to take my blood sugars when I’m with her!

Me: AWESOME -Strength in numbers!

Camper in Stripes: Speaking of numbers – is your tee shirt (I was wearing my five humans “One Test at a Time” tee) about blood sugars?

Me: Yes it is.

Camper in Stripes: My blood sugar was just 301 and I don’t know why? I have to go check ketones now and drink lots of water. It’s annoying.

Camper in White Tee: You’ll be Ok – one test at a time!

Me: Your both right- It is annoying to have an unexplained high, but take it number by number because getting upset, only..

Camper In Stripes: Makes it worse!

Me: YES.

We laughed and someone may or may not have mentioned Nick Jonas and total cuteness in the same sentence – Not me of course, but whatever.

Then it was time for lunch at the mess hall – grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.
I spoke with various counselors whose real life titles included; nurses, dieticians, CDE’s, or folks whose family had been touched by Type 1 Diabetes and wanted to help in someway.

I was surrounded by people who whose lives had been touched by diabetes on every level-and I not to sound all sentimental- but I felt the love and compassion-big time.


If some one you love is interested in attending camp next year, here’s link with all the info.
American Diabetes Association/Donovan McNabb Diabetes Camp For Kids


Diabetes Camp is one of the best gifts you can ever give your child.
It gives them a feeling of normalcy, long lasting friendships, great memories, and the rare and wonderful opportunity to be just like everyone else.

I REALLY didn’t want to leave camp – I guess some things never change....

MRI-My New Friend Receptionist & Bonding Over Diabetes

AN MRI & Bonding Over D

So I FINALLY went for my MRI yesterday morning! Was I nervous? YES, but after months of being bothered with severe shoulder and neck pain on my right side, I was more than ready to get this thing over with.

I had tried to go Thursday night, but when I got the imaging place, I’d forgotten my RX (YES- TOTALLY STUPID on my part) and had to reschedule for Monday morning.
I was mad at myself for being so stupid, and drove home and went to bed.

Cut to Monday morning. I was out the door at 8:50, I’d packed my car (I was going on work appointments right after) and drove to the imaging place, parked, took a deep breath and walked through the doors.
The receptionist told me to sign in and handed me a pile of forms to fill out.
As I sat down, I turned my head and noticed that she and the other receptionist were looking and me and talking…but maybe I was just being paranoid.
I filled out the first three pages of paperwork no problem.
But the forth page threw me for a loop.
It asked me if I had an array of medical devices including, “any and all steel parts, defibulators, pacemakers and insulin pumps/ infusion sets." Not to mention breast implants, chest plate implants, chin implants - the whole implant family if you catch my drift~

I knew that I had to answer yes regarding the IP and I also knew I needed to remove it, but what about my infusion set? It was plastic parts – would I need to remove my infusion set? And if so did I have an extra set in my glove compartment?

I walked up to the Receptionist and asked her about my infusion set and she said she thought it be OK, but would check with the MRI Tech and asked me to wait at the desk.
She came back and said: Yes, your infusion set is OK, now worries. SO…How do you like being on an insulin pump?

Me: I like it fine. It’s work, but it’s worth it. As far as I’m concerned insulin pumps equal freedom and better control. The first week was rough, lots of testing to figure out my basal rates, but after that – it was a cakewalk–so to speak ;)

Receptionist: Really? That’s what people tell me. I was diagnosed t1 4 years ago and it definitely threw me for a loop – I’m on insulin pens and am really having issues with shots in general.

Just than another receptionist chimed in and said: I told you you two would have something to talk about. She loves being on the pump - just like my sister does!

Me: Who’s your Endo and have you seen a CDE?

Receptionist: I’m looking for a new Endo and haven’t seen a CDE since I was diagnosed.

Me: I have a great one-Dr. J at Jefferson. He and his CDE, Cheryl work as a team.

Turns out, receptionist # 2 went to Dr. J for her Hashimoto's Disease and her sister was Dr J’s Nurse Practitioner - Small freaking world!

I took out my Blogger card and wrote down my Endo & CDE's info; I also asked her if she’d checked out any d on-line communities such as dlife, Diabetes Daily, and Tu Diabetes.

She’d told me she’d been on-line and was covered in that department.

Me: Look, so much has changed regarding diabetes care & treatment, you need to arm yourself with knowledge including; a great Endo, a smart CDE, and diabetes communities on the web. Be thankful that you were diagnosed now, when there are so many possibilities in care & understanding of PWD’s.

Receptionist; Yeah, I’m lucky, years ago, diabetics were so restricted! But still, a lot’s been thrown at me these past four years.

Me: Yeah a lot has been thrown your way, I bet it wasn’t easy!

Receptionist: I was in total shock!

We continued to chat until the MRI Tech came out and called my name.

We said our goodbyes and I followed my new friend, MRI Tech down the hall, to a locker, where we placed my insulin pump & purse & locked them up tight. I went to a changing room and took off my bra, but kept my shirt on (great day to wear a light colored shirt Kel) and then we walked in and she started giving me instructions for the MRI.

I was told to lay flat on the MRI table/ and MRI Tech friend harnessed my shoulder into some type of strappy thing a ma bob, and placed an emergency squeeze thing in my left hand. “Squeeze this if you start to feel uncomfortable in anyway.” I was also told to keep as still as possible.
As the sliding table slid under the MRI I tried to keep calm. I mean how bad could it really be??
Answer: REALLY, REALLY NOT PLEASANT. It was constricting, uncomfortable, and coffin like. My face was about 10 inches from the top of the MRI and as I breathed I felt my breath hit my face. I tried not to move, really I did, but every once in a while, my right food would twitch.

AND IT WAS LOUD IN THERE! Even with ear plugs I could barely keep my mind on task. I felt like I was in the middle of a Jackhammer concert.

I tried singing the Alphabet song to myself (in my head) really slow. I choose the Alphabet song because I once read article about brushing your teeth. The article stated that if you sang The Happy Birthday Song slow four times while you brushed one side of your mouth, it would take about two minutes and then you could switch brushing to the other side of your mouth and start the song process all over again. That Alphabet thing lasted about 2 minutes in the MRI because I could barely hear my inner voice, let alone keep track of how many times I was singing -and breathing was really starting to become an issue.

I tried yoga breathing and was told over the loudspeaker: Kelly, could you try shallow breathing in 3 minute increments so we could get a better image. I tried and really thought I was going to pass out. But I didn’t want them to stop & have to start this hell ride all over again so I continued with the shallow breathing.

I thought about my friend Receptionist, and how an insulin pump had sparked a conversation about OUR diabetes. I spent a lot of time thinking about how her world must have been turned upside down about her diagnoses.

“WOW,” I thought- it’s never easy – no matter what age.
Loadspeaker Voice: Kelly could you continue the shallow breathing for another 3 minutes?”

Me: Uhhh, sure – I guess….

Then I thought of how scary it must have been for my friend Receptionist to learn to take needles,test, and count carbs and I wondered if “Steel Magnolia” went through her head?

I thought about how difficult it must have been when she worked out and got low for the first time.

All those diabetes firsts that I take for granted must have really rocked her world.
I mean they continue to rock mine and I've been dealing with them for years!

The voice from the loudspeaker called to me again: Kel, continue the shallow breathing, we have three or four more images to get, shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes & keep still OK?

Me: I’m trying.

Then my mind drifted to a woman I’d met last week the Virtua T2 meeting. She was petite little thing in the back row, in her early 50’s -if that. She raised her hand and said: I want get a grip on this thing, I’m scared and frustrated. I want a good life, I want to be healthy.

I said something like: We all want to be healthy. And your well on your way because your here talking about diabetes, learning about it, and owning it. It’s hard, but the fact that you’re here and willing is half the battle!


Then I started to feel light headed the MRI machine continued to pound with its jackhammer like percussion.

Finally I couldn’t think anymore, I couldn’t hear anymore, and I was really ready to squeeze the emergency thing and admit that I couldn’t deal with the coffin known as the MRI.

And then it stopped, and everything was much quieter, the machine hummed instead of pounding and I began to slide towards the light.

The MRI Tech helped me up and took my earplugs. I apologized for my crazy right foot, thanked the all the techs, grabbed my locker key and went to my locker. I was mess.
Crazy hair, no bra, no pump, and my head felt funny. I grabbed my stuff, changed in the bathroom, got myself together and went out to the reception area.

I walked up to my friend Receptionist and said: It was nice to meet you! Go see Dr J and definitely look into getting the pump.

Receptionist: It was nice to meet you to! I’m really considering the pump. Every time I drive home from work I pass Dairy Queen and literally can’t even look in that direction.

Me: Your doing GREAT. Nothing is off limits with diabetes- you just have to look at things a different way and the pump really helps. However, almost everything is off limits in the MRI tube- I’ll take D any day.

Virtua T2 Meeting Was FANTASTIC AND Brett Michaels words are POISON

So Tuesday nights Virtua Hospital’s t2 meeting was incredible and positive on every level!

The audience was warm and inviting, and we created quite a diabetes dialogue !

We talked about all things diabetes related and how owning your diabetes and laughter can get you through it all!

Including what made us laugh about Diabetes: Favorite snackies, type 3 faux pauxs, figuring out the whole diabetes world, and the lack of bagels in our diet.

We talked about what made us cry: Peoples insensitive remarks about our disease, how trying to be in control can bring us to tears,insurance nightmares, and the lack of bagels in our diet.

We discussed how small changes can make a huge difference in our lives if we just give them a try. Did you know that if you "gut"a bagel it cuts the carb count dramatically?

As a type 1, it was interesting to hear from the other side of the D coin, and visa versa.

I had a beautiful audience in every sense of the world and want to thank Bryony Crane, who leads the t2 Support Group at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees for asking me to speak.

IT WAS FANTASTIC!

And Now for a topic that's completely different & not at all pleasant:

Brett Michaels words are POISON. Literally, and figuratively.

I first read Brett’s ridiculous statement last night in the Huffington Post’s Entertainment Section. I was shocked and didn’t tweet the link, for fear of just 1 PWD who might want to try the “Brett Michael’s method of satisfaction." That thought scared the hell out of me!
But I did want to post about it.

I kept thinking of my nephew Brendan, who’s had t1 for over 16 yrs and just received his Doctorate in Literature from Berkeley on May 16th. Brendan & I grew up together; he was born 17 days after my 10th birthday – I know, what a wonderful gift!
I love him and his brothers as if they were my own.

Brendan is cute; has an awesome personality, can play the guitar and sing,can speak French and Latin and has a GREAT and AMAZING brain. He starts teaching Literature this summer at UCLA . Brendan forgets more things then I could EVER hope to remember.

Bren’s in control of his diabetes, and I know that he thought BM’s statements were stupid and dangerous. But what if Brendan wasn’t secure and knowledgeable regarding his diabetes or had just been diagnosed and had taken Brett Michaels statement as fact?

I think Brett Michaels is a schmuck, in every sense of the word.

Withholding insulin before sex is stupidest thing and can have deadly consequences.
WHy the hell did you put that thought out there?

Like all of us PWDs, I’ve had to stop mid groove and reach for the emergency can of ginger ale under the bed in order to “close the deal.”

I’ve had my tubing sets ripped out accidentally at the most in opportune & intimate of moments- and have laughed it off as it happened.

I’ve finished the deed & have been ½ way to sleep when the pump disconnect alarm goes off from across the room. I’ve had to get up and reconnect –annoyed with myself for being so careless regarding the reconnect. Not only was I putting myself in great danger, but I was also putting the person I was with in a potential dire situation – NOT SMART.

Yet even with Diabetes and with or without my insulin pump, I’ve still managed to shout YES - no problem!

There’s nothing sexy about DKA.
There’s nothing sexy about low blood sugar.
There’s nothing is sexy about having to call 911 on your partner in the middle of what’s supposed to be the closest moment two people can share.

Frankly, there’s absolutely nothing sexy about Brett Michaels.

I prefer a man who is smart, and thinks about how his words can affect others. Especially when that person has a reality show that is watched by millions who might actually think Brett know's what he's talking about.

I prefer a man whose in control of his life, and respects his diabetes, as well as my own.

I’m not a big fan of lawyers, but if one of my "people" gets hurt because of his idiotic statement, I hope they sue his ass!

Kerri @ SUM wrote a great post about Brett's idiocy today.
For those of you have yet to Checkout Kerri's Open Letter To Brett! It ROCKS-Brett Michaels however does not, in anyway,shape,or form~

Calling All T2's- Talk To Me BABY!!!

So type 2 Diabetics – I want to know what your type 2 struggles are and how you choose to handle them.

Why? Because tomorrow evening, June 9th at 7 PM at the Barry Brown Health and Education Center (HEC) at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees, NJ,
I’ll be talking to a Type 2 Diabetes Support Group about humor and how it helps me to handle my many “D iss-ues.”

Topics covered include; but will not be limited to:

Diabetes Police & How to Handle Them: Who the hell elected them Sheriff of Diabetes Town anyway?

Diabetic Movie Misquotes: “Crying there’s no crying in Diabetes!”

Former Carb “Flames”& How They Done Me Wrong: “Damn you Fusilli Pasta- there’s nothing silly about what you do to my blood sugar!"

Achieving Blood Sugar Nirvana:

And Blood Sugar Testing For Wimps!: “But I don’t want to stick myself with an lancet – it hurts my little fingers!"


Seriously t2’s and T1's, I don't plan on preaching, because I hate when that happens to me. My goal is to get them to laugh and to generate a positive discussion amongst the group in the the process. Any words of wisdom or thoughts on the subject would be greatly appreciated!

Type 1 Diabetes Bullies - London’s Calling - And They Want You To Get A Clue!!

When I was little and newly diagnosed, there were a few classmates who called me “Diabetes Head.” Which was a stupid name and made absolutely no sense. I cried at home, but laughed it off at school, and may or not have mentioned something about said classmates mothers being whores who wore combat boots in the process.

Most of my classmates were good about it,& I’m working on a future post about that time in my life, and what my classmates thought and taught me all these years later, but that’s for another time.

When I was in college, my friends always looked out for me, not because I had diabetes, but because that’s what friends did. Still, I think they worried a lot. SO much so, that they were in peoples face at the first spark of idiots regarding diabetes.

Now as a full-fledged adult, I usually get the same reaction when people find out I’m a diabetic. I wrote about recently in my post, “What the F Do You Mean I look Good for Being A Diabetic?"

Stereotypes regarding Diabetes SUCK.
We are often told we are to fat; eat too much sugar and HFCS. Our parents are chastised for poor parenting skills.We get dirty looks every time we bolus for a cupcake.

Many feel that a life with diabetes is “Steel Magnolias” and that we’ve basically dug our own grave so to speak.

People have looked me in the eye and said "I hope you learned from your sisters mistakes!"

Potential dates have been turned away in the process.

We get “the look,” when we tell folks about our diabetes.

You know the one. It’s a cross between pity,and “Well, you asked for it,” look.

NO, we didn’t ask for it. But we accept it and we live great lives despite diabetes and the idiots who spread diabetes misconceptions.

These misconceptions lurk at every turn. At work; at school, in a restaurant, or on the train- anywhere the public sees us. People either consider you tragic, or marvel that your living any life at all.
.
Our diabetic buds across the pond (Diabetes UK) sent me an email this morning telling me about a video they produced on the subject, called “Setting The Record Straight.”

It's posted above can be found on both their website & You Tube

The script was based on comments that real type 1 kids hear everyday.
Kid or not, it hits home. Take a minute to watch and send the video to someone who might need a Type 1 Diabetes “refresher course!”

Kerri wrote a great post about the video and diabetes stereotypes over at SUM this morning and also eferred to some wonderful examples on the subject
by both Sara & a George, who tweeted about D misconceptions. Be sure to check them out!

POST SCRIPT:
Today on Twitter, I was reminded just how easily the diabetes stereotypes are spread. Coincidence that I'd just received an email from Diabetes UK or fact? YOU BE THE JUDGE.

I had looked up #HFCS on Twitter’s Trending Topics and there were a massive number of tweets regarding the subject. Scrolling along, I found that someone had tweeted something along the line of” “wanna be a diabetic? Eat #HFCS.”
And then there was a tinyurl to an article linking the two. Now, I know that HFCS causes obesity in this country, which can lead to type 2 Diabetes and I know that in her heart, this “tweeter” was in the right place. I HATE HFCS! But I also know t2 is genetic and that all Diabetics (t1 & t2 alike) are constantly being told “if you just cut out all the refined sugars and flour in your diet, you’d be off insulin in a month!”

I tweeted her back and said “#Diabetes is not character flaw & we have 2 fight that #stereotype EVERYDAY. I could run marathons everyday & still need insulin.”

I continued to Tweet her about my family history & eating habits because she actually thought that might have something to do with it. Then I tweeted about diabetes stereotypes and sent her a direct link to the Diabetes UK video. Guess what? She retweeted the diabetes FACTS, and I was happy that another person learned something about what being a diabetic means.

"Forget It Jake, This is Diabetes Town"

So I was on Twitter last night, and I noticed under Trending Topics, there was something called 'Movie Misquotes."

Now, I love movies and television & I have absolutely no problem admitting it.
I've even been known to qoute movies from time to time, and sometimes, I even give them a diabetes spin!

Anyway, I starting movie quoting with a diabetes twist and couldn't stop myself! A few of my tweets told me they were LoLing, which made me very happy! I could have continued all night, but I stopped at around 14 quotes.

I added a 6 more to this post to make it a round 20.

Hope this makes your Monday more pleasant, or at least makes you LOL!


1. “Your going to need a bigger bolus" JAWS- Diabetes style

1. "What til they get a load of D!" Batman - Movie

2. "HOLY #DIABETES BATMAN!" Batman – The television series

3. "I'm Diabetes BITCH!" Dave Chappelle

4. "Dammit JIm, I'm a diabetic, not a Bricklayer!" Star Trek - Series

5. "Say hello to my little insulin pump!" Scar Face

6. "show me the carb count!" Jerry McGuire

1. "Diabetes....phone home." ET

2. "Diabetes means always having to say - Yeah, damn straight I'm aloud to eat that!"
Love Story

3. "Bloodsugar, we have problem!" Apollo 13

4. "I'll get you my pretty, and your little insulin pump too!" The Wizard of Oz

5. "Forget it Jake, It's Diabetes Town!" China Town


6. "I see diabetics" The Sixth Sense

7. "I love the smell of insulin in the morning!" Apocalypse Now


8. "All right Diabetes, I'm ready for my close up!" Sunset Boulevard

9. "Is that an insulin pump in your pocket or are u just happy to see me?" Mae West

10. "Crying, there's no crying in diabetes!" A League of Their Own


11. "We're not bolus worthy, We're not bolus worthy!" Wayne's World

12. "Bolus, I don't need no stinking bolus!"

13. "Elementary my dear Diabetes!” The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

14. “Hasta la vista, high Blood Sugar!!” The Terminator

15. “YO, DIABETES!” Rocky

16. "Tell 'em to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Diabetic."
Knute Rockney

17. "Life is a banquet,& most poor diabetics are blousing and counting carbs like crazy!" Auntie Mame

18. “If it weren’t for you meddling diabetics!!” Every bad guy on Scooby Doo

19. “Diabetes, the final frontier” Star Trek

20. "Let's get ready to bolus!" WWF Wrestling

######## For Lora over at The Diabetes & Stuff cause she asked all nice like.

21. " "She only speaks Diabetes Ricky, not imbecile." Better Off Dead

22. You ski the K-12 dude, and girls will go Diabetic just looking at you!" Better Off Dead

23. "Diabetes, I want my Diabetes!!" Better Off Dead