PWD In The Wild: Angel With A Busted Pancreas At San Francisco International Airport~

Last Monday morning, as I was just about to show my ticket and board my flight back to Philly from San Francisco International, a man from the airlines stopped the woman in front of me and said: We don’t have anymore room in the overhead compartments, so I’m going to have to take your carry-on and check it. 
The woman in front of me handed over her suitcase and let out a heavy sigh of frustration. 
I looked at the woman checking the tickets and said in a mixture of both calm and frantic: I can’t check my carry-on bag, I have diabetes and my carry-on has my insulin and al my supplies in there - and my food. And I need to have access to that stuff at all times.
The woman (who shall be called Awesome Woman for the rest of this post,) grabbed my hand with both of hers and said: Don’t you worry honey, no one is going to take your bag. I have diabetes and it runs my family, I understand. They’re only checking carry-on luggage that’s you know, actual luggage at this point and you’re carrying a big old bag. 
And if anyone ever tries to take it from you, you tell them you have diabetes and don’t let them. And God bless you, baby. 
Me: God Bless you, too and thank you so much - You made me feel so much better. 
And diabetes runs in my family, too. 
Awesome Lady: I got your back honey, have a safe flight and a safe trip home - And come back soon! 
Then we hugged one another and said our goodbyes. 
And as I boarded the plane, I said a little prayer of thanks for my angel with a busted pancreas and or challenging metabolism, who had, had my back and eased my mind at San Fran International~ 
I may not love having diabetes, but I sure do love people with diabetes. 

#Showmeyourpump: A Diabetes Meet Up In Atlantic City With PWD/Miss Idaho & Miss America Contestant Sierra Sandison

Earlier this week I had the opportunity for a #Dmeetup of a different kind.
I had the chance to meet and have a heart to heart with current Miss Idaho and PWD Sierra Sandison, in Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk Hall.
Sidebar: I grew up 5 miles from Boardwalk Hall, it’s where my parents first met and where my High School graduation was held. Boardwalk Hall and the Miss America Organization have always held a special place in my heart and history - And so does Sierra! 
Having my diabetes world and home town world collide is pretty spectacular, as is Sierra Sandison. 
As the DOC (Diabetes Online Community), along with everyone else in the free/ non D world knows of Sierra because of the global implications of stepping out on stage wearing her insulin pump, and her hashtag #showmeyourpump.
 Sierra's a mulit-faceted PWD (Person with Diabetes) for sure. She’s a student, a Beauty Queen, the creator of the #showmeyourpump hashtag and one of the founders (along with her sister) of Possibilities with Disabilities, an organization focusing on extra curricular activities/camps for people with disabilities. 
Sierra is quite an accomplished and well spoken young woman who does an amazing job of representing people with diabetes and people in her home state of Idaho. 
Sunday night, September 14th, Sierra, along with 52 other pageant hopefuls will compete for the Miss America title. More info on how you can help Sierra win at the end of the post! 
And now, here's our heart to heart chat!
########

#Showmeyourpump! 

KK: Welcome to Atlantic City! Can you believe you’re finally here?

SS: No I can’t believe it - It’s like a dream come true - it still hasn’t completely set in yet. 

KK: What’s the best part so far?

SS: I think just spending time with the other girls. I’m surround by the most amazing 52 accomplished young women in the United States so that’s been such a great experience! And come Sunday night, no matter who is crowned, I know I’ll be super excited  to be there in person, for the crowning of the next Miss America

And secondly, whoever gets crowned, I know it’s going to be one of my best friends. 

KK: That’s beautiful. OK, tell me about your platform - Actually, tell everyone in the DOC (the Diabetes Online Community) about your platform. 

SS: My official platform is Possibilities for Disabilities - My sister and I started it. Possibilities for Disabilities involves Sports Camps for students/ people with disabilities of all ages, but it's mostly young adults who participate. 

We started the camps because we realized that 1 in 20 people live with disability, and when we looked around at our choir, our cheer team and our basketball team, those 1 in 20 are severally under represented. 

My sister and I realized that for our whole lives, we’ve always taken extra curricular activities for granted. 

Extra curricular activities are vital in adolescent development. They teach you who you are and how to work hard and help you find and understand what you’re passionate about. 

It's REALLY important for children with disabilities to have the chances that extra curricular activities offer so we started with a Cheer Camp. Since then we’ve done 2 Cheer Camps, 2 Basketball Camps, a soccer camp, a tennis camp, a power lifting workshop and a week long regular camp . 

Shortly after we started the program we realized that the students who had volunteered as coaches were developing really strong relationships with the kids with disabilities. The fun and inclusive interactions that the camp presented actually broke down the social barriers that children with disabilities are often faced with. 

It was unbelievable to watch!

KK: I bet! OK, diabetes - You’re 2 years into your life with diabetes.  

SS: YEP. 

KK: Do you celebrate your diaversary? 

KK: OH YES.

KK: That makes me happy! OK, how has diabetes and  the Diabetes Online Community for that matter changed your life, Sierra? 

SS: It’s changed EVERY aspect of my life.

First: When I was diagnosed, it flipped my world upside down in a bad way. 

I didn’t check my blood sugars and I was in denial, I didn’t want to deal with it and I didn’t want to think about it. 

KK: That’s a very real and normal reaction you had. 

SS: And then when it came to the insulin pump, I didn’t want to one because I was an 18 year old young woman and I wasn’t completely confident about who I was. And I was scared. 

KK: I think many women and men (young and the not so,) for that matter feel the same way you did, I know I did. 

MI: Right! but even now, sometimes people make comments and I know they don’t mean to be mean.... but still.. it hurts my feelings.

Sidebar: I wanted to hug her. 

KK: I get it. 98 % of the comments don’t bother us and we take the time to educate, but it’s those 2% that can bring us down. 

SS: YES, EXACTLY. I was on shots for about 6 months when I heard about Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999 and how she wore her insulin pump on the Miss America stage,  I thought to myself: WOW, I’ve been lying to myself~ The media gives us this perfect version of a girl and she doesn’t wear an insulin pump, so I was under the impression that if I wore an insulin pump, I would be less than beautiful. 

But when I saw Nicole, this former Miss America wearing her insulin pump, it COMPLETELY changed my mindset. So I got an insulin pump (for the record, Sierra wears a t:slimⓇ pump) and I started to compete in the Miss America Organization pageants, but I wasn’t confident enough to wear my insulin pump on stage until this summer at the Miss Idaho Pageant.   And sometimes, it’s still scary and intimidating when people make comments.

Growing up, I never was a little girl who wanted to be Miss America, but I always wanted to make a difference and  change the world.  But I didn’t know how to do that. 

So when I grew up and found out who Nicole Johnson was, she completely changed every aspect of my life. 

Not only in being confident and wearing my insulin pump, but everything I’ve learned from her inspiring me to get involved with the Miss America Organization,  it’s given me public speaking taught me how to live a well balanced life and taught me to be responsible with my diabetes. 

I really gained an understanding of how powerful the Miss America Crown & her example can be. And really, that’s why I’m here. For diabetics and people with disabilities, for people with medical devices and for people with any other insecurities.  At first I let diabetes push me down, but I’ve turned it and empowered myself. 

KK: That’s what it’s all about!! How great is it to be so empowered and out of the diabetes closet?

SS: It’s kind of new.  All My friends knew I had diabetes, but there were people I knew well who didn’t know  - It's been so refreshing because when I’m “Miss Idaho” People are like: YEAH, #showmeyourpump & that’s so awesome! 

But when I’m not Miss Idaho or when I don’t have my sash and crown on, I'm starting to get those same comments! 

KK: How have your friends handled your diabetes? 

SS: My friends have been so supportive and so proud and really been excited to learn about diabetes. 

KK; Good, good, good! Anything you want to say to the DOC? 

SS: There’s so many negatives surrounding technology and the diabetes online community is an amazing example of how Social Media can be used to for good. 

There aren’t many diabetics in my area and the DOC reinforces that I'm not alone, and that I'm not being crazy or silly for being insecure and thinking things like boys are never going to look at me again because I wear a pump. 

I really thought that at first!

KK: Sierra, you are not alone!  And every single one of us in the DOC and beyond has had those very same thoughts at one time. Diabetes is actually a really good filter!

SS: I’m starting to see that!  Honestly, knowing that my concerns were legitimate and normal and that I wasn’t crazy was and is really comforting. And in return, when people say I’ve given them confidence in wearing their insulin pumps, really - they’re the ones that have given me the confidence. Honestly, when that swimsuit picture was being taken, I was shaking in my shoes about what people would think about my insulin pump!

The support has been such a boost to my confidence & I really hope I’ve helped people with diabetes because I know they’ve helped me!

FYI: We can actually help Sierra get into the Miss America finals. Click HERE and vote for Sierra as America's Choice to go to the finals. You have until 11:59 PM, Thursday, September 11th to place your vote and very vote counts! 
Also, Sierra will be a guest on the Dr. Oz show tomorrow (9/11/14)  so lets all make sure that the DOC tunes in!  And while we're watching, lets tweet/facebook our support and create a Social Media firestorm of support for one of our own! Tweet pictures of you getting your #showmeyourpump on and use the hashtags: #showmeyourpump, #diabetes, #DOC
Sierra twitter handle is: @Sierra_anne93 and Dr. Oz's twitter handle is: @DrOz

Official "Miss America" Media Pass

I couldn't resist!

What A Difference A Week Makes: Finding Diabetes Support, Online & Off

What a difference a week makes. Last Thursday I wrote about my Endo appointment, my less than wonderful A1C, how burned out I was feeling from diabetes and how both my Dr. & CDE were amazing. Also, between you and me, I think I was also going through some CWD FFL withdrawal. 
Anway, last week my CDE Cheryl, invited me to an Insulin Pump Support meeting she was having. At one time I attended those meetings on a regular basis, but due to budget issues there hasn't been an Insulin Pump Support Meeting in years - until this past Tuesday. Here's how it went~
#######
My drive to Philly was shorter than expected and as I inched towards the Walt Whitman Bridge, I started to feel really good about things. 
My excitement finally bubbled to the surface in the parking garage elevator, as soon as I stepped in and realized that the woman next to me was wearing an insulin pump. 
And I knew exactly where she was going. 
Me: Are you on your way to Cheryl’s meeting?
Her: Yes, yes I am!!
And simultaneously we both grabbed our pumps, giggled and started talking. 
Together we walked towards our shared destination and we talked about our endos, how great the practice was and how amazing Cheryl the CDE was. 
And when we walked in the building, past the security guard and towards the room where the meeting was held, we saw Cheryl. 
And at that moment I was so grateful to Cheryl for being such an amazing type 3, for always being there for her patients and for getting the group up and running again after such a long hiatus... and for asking me to attend. 

And I’m not going to lie - I was really grateful that Cheryl procured food from Panara Bread, which included a variety of tasty sandwiches and cookies with the carb counts written out. 
FTR: A Panara big chocolate chip cookie is 58 grams of carbs - And it’s worth the bolus.
But I digress. 

I could write how amazing it was to be in a room with people who “got it" and how everyone said “OMG, that happens to me, too,” whenever anyone mentioned something D related. 
I could wax poetic about how people shared their feelings of being alone sometimes - even if they knew they weren’t. I understand that feeling very well -  I know you do, too. And I mentioned the Diabetes Online Community multiple times to the group - who wasn’t even aware that the DOC existed until: 

1. Cheryl told them about my blog as we were going through the group introductions
2. I told them about the DOC and give them twitter search terms like #dsma, dsma twitter chats, #doc #diabetes, Blog Rolls, Facebook groups and communities and how there is indeed a D Tribe out there online in the room we were sitting in, not to mention The Diabetes Unconference that's happening next year.

And they were really excited to hear that the DOC existed.

But this post is supposed to be about the awesome Insulin Pump Support Group meeting.  

I’ll admit to being blown away by the fact that some of the group members had been living with diabetes for decades, and by decades I mean 60 years, 53 years, 50 years and 40 years  - They inspired me and I wanted to hug them and hold them tight. 
There were were people who were recently diagnosed as adults with t1 - or who’d who came to their t1 status by way of a pancreatectomy. All of them were doing what they needed to, even though change can be difficult - Especially when your pancreas is the one that decides to make the change, and after it's been working just find for you &well into your adult life. They reminded me about life throwing us curve balls just when we think everything is peachy. They inspired me and I wanted to hug them and hold them tight. 
And there were also people like me there. People who weren’t 50 years in, but who’d lived with diabetes longer than they hadn’t. And they inspired me and I wanted to hug them and hold them tight. 
In each of them I saw bits of myself. As I was, as I used to be... And as I hoped to become. I was grateful to each and everyone of them - just like I'm grateful for each and everyone of you. 
Whenever I think of the Diabetes Online Community or finding other's in our D Tribe in real life, expected and or by kismet, I ALWAYS think of the following quote by C.S. Lewis that I found on TwistedSifter. 

Yep, sums up the DOC perfectly!
Photo with quote courtesy of TwisterSifter

This thing called community - Of being there for one another - It's so important. 
If you're part of the DOC, you get that. 
And I know Cheryl gets that - She's always been so supportive and she asked me to present at  a future meeting on DOC resources. 
If your Endo's office doesn't offer a support group, reach out to them and suggest that they start one - And bug the crap out of them until it becomes a reality. 
And I know I don't need to tell you this, but I will anyway. 
If you know of any PWDs (people with diabetes) off-line who might be feeling alone, reach out to them and tell them about the DOC and then ask them if they'd like to grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine - And then bug the crab out of said PWD or PWDs (and in the nicest way possible,) until it actually happens. 
Peer support for every single person living with diabetes is so incredibly important - And a little red wine, or coffee, or cupcakes between PWDs every now and then doesn't hurt either ;) 

On My Way To Diabetes Land - Children With Diabetes Friends For Life 2014!!

 

I wrote this post on my iPad 37,000 feet in the air, on 4 hours sleep & uploaded it in the Mears Shuttle on my way to the hotel-  Technology's awesome! 

#######

I'm sitting on a plane in flight and on my way to the ChildrenWithDiabetes.com , Friends For Life conference in Orlando - And if all goes according to plan I will arrive in Diabetes Land in 3ish hours. 

Diabetes Land, a land wear green and orange bracelets reign supreme & I will be surrounded by friends who are family. 

A land where  people "get" diabetes in all dimensions,  hugs are given firefly and often, shoulders are are available to lean on and emotional batteries are recharged on an hourly basis for 6 days straight. 

I need this week on so many levels. I need this week as a person living with diabetes, as a Diabetes Advocate ( and hopefully an even better one after I attend  http://diabeteshandsfoundation.org/masterlab-for-diabetes-advocates/) as a Diabetes Mentor & as a person with diabetes in need of mentoring - 

Sidebar: Would that make me a mentoree? 

I need the laughter, the love, the learning, the letting go and the feeling of empowerment that Children With Diabetes  #ffl14 will give me.

And I can't wait! 

Also: Be sure to follow the #ffl14 & #masterlab hashtags on the twitter !! 

#tbt: Dear Children & Teens With Diabetes

Today's #tbt post was written back on October 13th, 2009 and I thought about it today for several reasons:
1. Children and teens with diabetes are down right amazing, as are their parents
2.The Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Conference in Orlando is less than 2 weeks and I can't wait! 
3. Sometimes, regardless of whether we are a child, teen or adult with diabetes - or a parent of one and or all of the above, we need to be reminded how wonderful and magnificent we truly are~
#########

Dear Children and Teens with Diabetes:

I know you're smart and a digital native, and I know you know almost everything, but please hear me out.

I’m an adult (which freaks me out to write, let alone say) with t1 diabetes and I was once in your shoes.

Being a child with diabetes has its challenges, and some days it sucks- I get that - And I’ve experienced those days -still do in fact.

Diabetes is a lot to handle for an adult, not to mention a kid or a teen, but you're doing a great job!

I know that shots can be scary, annoying and painful, and I know that pumps have their own set of challenges, like infusion site changes, doorknobs and deadspots.

Your bravery is AWESOME.

I know you want to be like your friends, and eat whatever and whenever you want.

And that’s not always possible when your blood sugar is high or the food isn’t gluten free.

I know testing your blood makes the tips of your fingers sore and freckly, and the more tests you take, the more rough and callused your fingers become.

Diabetes doesn’t change the fact that you’re a kid, you just

come with a different set of instructions than most of your friends.

Fitting in, regardless of the age or circumstances, can be challenging at times. 

All of us- Diabetes or not, have qualities that make us stand out.

Embrace what makes you special and run with it!

You’ll be surprised how others will follow your lead.

And the ones who don’t respect you and your diabetes- have other issues (most likely at home,) that don’t involve you and D at all. Trust me on this fact!

Ignore what they say and focus on your real friends.

Diabetes will help you in other ways you never imagined or even thought possible.

Your diabetes will help you see who your real friends are.

Diabetes will help you see who your real friends are not.

Diabetes will allow you to develop something called empathy.

Now keep in mind, almost every one has empathy- or the ability to put themselves in other peoples shoes- but not everyone pays attention to their empathy gene.

Without a developed sense of empathy- humans become selfish and uncaring towards others thoughts and feelings. That will never happen to you.

Diabetes has given you a unique perspective at quite a young age. You know what it’s like to have a bad Diabetes day because of high or low numbers.

You, as a person with Diabetes have the second sight to see when others struggle, and know how to be a good friend to anyone who needs one. Seriously- that’s a cool gift!

Diabetes will allow you to recognize when your high or low – sometimes-even before you test.

Teenagers, this part of the letter is directed mainly at you.

Look, I know that you know everything- I do - I KNOW THAT.

But please give your parents some street cred when it comes to your Diabetes care.

If you want more independence regarding your Diabetes (which I think you should have- to a point) show your folks that your actually capable of taking care of yourself & diabetes.

Your diabetes isn’t going anywhere whether you choose to work with it or against it.

So TAKE OWNERSHIP of your Diabetes. Show your parents that your serious about managing your Diabetes and work with them.

Do this by testing your blood sugars 9 to 15 times a day, (OK, try shooting for 8 times a day)  and write them down in a log book. OK, I'm terrible at that, how about looking into a phone app for logging blood sugars - Heck, you're on your phone all the time anyway so why not? 
 Keep in mind that testing 8 times a day only turns out to be 40 seconds a day, 9 times a day is 45 seconds a day and 15 times a day is only 75 seconds. 
I KNOW you have an extra 40 to 75 seconds a day between texting, wii, texting,school, texting, work, texting, Starbucks, and texting.

Back in the Diabetes Darkages, when I started testing my bloodsugars, my parents wanted me to lug THIS around in my knapsack-

And this is the box it came it!

And it took 2 minutes to tell me what my blood sugar was.

THINGS ARE SO MUCH EASIER IN SOME WAYS TODAY!

Back in the day, there was no such thing as counting carbs and ALL the "good" foods were off limits.

So take advantage of the fact that carb counting is key and nothing is off limits and bolus correctly (give your best shot and if you're wrong, that's what a correction bolus is for) for carbs.

And then test your glucose later to see if you reached Blood Sugar Nirvana.

Carry food with you- ALWAYS. It’s your responsibility- no one else’s.

Also: I know for fact that Glucose Tabs and fruit rollups can be discreetly carried- even in the tightest of jeans.

Take a moment and dust off your empathy tool (which tends to get rusty during the teen years,) and put yourself in your parents shoes every now and then.

I don’t know if you're aware of this, but when you were diagnosed, not only was your world turned upside down, but so was your parents.

And if you were diagnosed as a child- they’ve spent years working 24X7 to make sure you're healthy - Living with diabetes is hard for them, too. 

And I totally get and can relate to wanting more Diabetes freedom- And freedom in general, so show them that you have a handle on you deserve it!

Here's the thing: Parents will always be PARENTS- there's no changing that. They will worry about you even when you're well over 30 and working a real job and living on your own- And you will miss them terribly when they are no longer here to worry about you. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

One more thing, THANK your parents every now and then for all they’ve done (and vice versa parents,) because someday,when you're healthy, living on your own and living the life you want, you’ll realize everything they’ve done was because they LOVE you.

Later~

Kelly Kunik