Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marie B on July 21, 2012 at 11:52am

yes, he is a member here. his book was mentioned in this discussion
http://www.tudiabetes.org/forum/topics/a-book-for-my-teen

and I know our admin Lorraine knows him pretty well

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on July 21, 2012 at 11:59am

I loved his book. He writes about T1D as I remember it growing up (is there such thing as D-nostalgia?). I think it's a great book for any T1, a great lesson of how you can be an athlete despite having T1, not exactly a lesson many of us heard growing up. Regarding his seizures, though, I don't think they had anything to do with his being super competitive. Many of us T1s had seizures back in the day. The insulins we used then were not as predictable and NPH had a peaking effect that was especially hard to deal with in kids. Seizures can still happen, but I think the better insulins and frequent testing and pumps make them less likely overall.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Spock on July 21, 2012 at 1:14pm

Every Type 1 is different. Your experience and mine will never have the same track.

I do not read books like this. I have too much to deal with daily, and agree that some good escapism is healthy for us, or me at least.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lorraine on July 22, 2012 at 10:40am

I absolutely love that book. I agree there are a couple of scary moments. I still want Caleb to read it though. In fact, I'm going to go send him to get it off my night stand now that he has some summer reading time! Caleb is a tender soul, and I know that he will be saddened by some of the story. But there is so much to learn from Phil. He is such an amazing person. I have learned a great deal from him - from how to stay positive to little tips for managing bgs while active.

There is SO much more information available to athletes today. If not for the pioneering efforts of Phil and those like him, doctors would be telling people with diabetes all the things they cannot do. Well, the unfortunate reality is that there are still doctors with this mindset, but less so because of athletes like Phil and Kris Freeman and Cliff Scherb and Teams Type 1 and 2 at large!

It is because of Phil and others and their experiences that people with diabetes CAN compete and do so intelligently and safely. It doesn't always go exactly as planned, but I think the risks are much less than they used to be because of what has been learned from others' experiences.

Personally, I'll take competition over just goofing around over the summer any day. When Caleb is competing (not that it's at Phil's level, but what's appropriate for a 9 year old), I feel like I can plan and prepare and compensate better than when he just decides to bike and swim and play wiffle ball for hours on end. Those days are accountable for any gray hairs I have. ;)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on July 22, 2012 at 12:20pm

That's a good point. I'm about Phil's age and when we were growing up, T1s were actually discouraged from seriously competing in athletics. Many of us were only able to compete because we had parents who were determined to keep us involved and active. I know for me this mindset paid off because I am still very active and healthy.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim on July 22, 2012 at 10:54am

The "Steel Magnolias" scene may be required by the books publisher association or something :-)

The scene may be scary to a parent of a T1 or someone who takes care of a T1 but... we survive and do fine nevertheless.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by christy on July 22, 2012 at 11:09am

I havent read the book, but I'm very interested in doing so from the description I'm seeing here. From a long timer, nearly 30 years now, I personally LOVE the fact there is a Type 1 diabetic out there who is telling the world you know what we can do just about ANYTHING we want. I agree older insulins like NPH and R, were a NIGHTMARE to deal with, my worst episodes of low blood sugar have been on those older insulins. And that's NOT being a competitive athelete, thats just going about doing my everyday normal activities. Yes lows can still happen, but they to me are much easier to treat, and not as severe today as they were in the days of the past.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Spock on July 24, 2012 at 5:43am

I guess I just stick my head in the sand; I have never seen Steel Magnolias and never will, because of what I have heard about the scene.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim on July 24, 2012 at 6:10am

I think for a newbie or a caregiver of someone with T1 the requisite Steel Magnolias scene could be very scary.

But for you or me? No problem. I'm not trying to be callous or anything but what can a fictionalized representation in a movie, teach you or me about what we've already gone through for real?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jacob's mom on July 22, 2012 at 6:40pm

i have read more into the book, there is no doubt phil is a hero. i had just read through the parts where he was off riding and riding as a teen and as a parent i just cant help it i am just now comfortable with jacob running a few times around the block never mind riding on trails all day. obviously a different era, when i grew up it would be like go out and play see you tonight, these days kids stay closer to their parents those without D not just with. i'm not sure what is better. i just know my son does not really have the skills to care for himself safely in that situation, nor does he really want to hence, why i said i was glad he was more academically focused as opposed to constantly physically on the go. he is training for xcounty and i think he has what it takes. just reading the story made me feel fearful as well as inspired and in awe of all phil has accomplished. as years go by i will feel like i can trust my son to handle his D in any situation and do anything he wants. not for nothing but even phil without all of todays tools would probably admit he was somewhat flying by the seat of his pants back in the day. i just wonder what jacob's reaction to the book would be, i guess i will let him see for himself and we can talk about it! Again i have only respect for phil and his accomplishments. amy

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by christy on July 22, 2012 at 6:50pm

Out of curiosity how old is Jacob? I mean the reason I ask, this is something Jacob will have to live with forever, and he will be the one to have to manage this, make decisions, and learn what to do to trobuleshoot stubborn high's, safely treat lows, so you don't swing high. I've just aways felt the best thing for me as a child growing up was my parents MAKING me take responsiblity for my illness and learning what to do and how to do it. I was 10 when diagnosed, and literally a week later I was doing my own shots, my own blood glucose testing. It kinda concerns me today, with all the improved means of management, kids arent being taught to be more proactive with their management. Im not saying this to criticize, it's just a trend I seem to notice.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jacob's mom on July 22, 2012 at 7:31pm

Hi christy, jacob will be 14 next week and diag at 10 like you. he is involved with his care and i probably should hand over more responsibility. my theory is he has the rest of his life to deal with it, and he does struggle sometimes emotionally and with being different, he is reserved by nature... so if i can help him not sweat all the details now so that he can enjoy being a kid well i'm going to do it. obviously he has tested his own wings at times and is very knowledgeable and has all the skills, i just dont feel ready to say here to go just yet. this should be a big growth year for him this year starting high school and i think he is ready. sometimes i feel like it may be harder being a parent of a type 1 child than having type 1 yourself. i would certainly take it over it i could for him. but for now i will help as long as i can and try not to hover, worry and hand of the ropes when we are both ready! again i think it might go along with the difference in generations, go out and play as opposed to setting up play dates and watching for every little bump! i have never been that much of a hovering parent but type 1 certainly keeps me on my toes! amy

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page