Comment by Don on November 19, 2011 at 1:56pm

Re the 2-4% death rate, is it more common on MDI vs pump? Just wondering.

Comment by Buckley83 on November 19, 2011 at 2:43pm

I completely agree with you Lara.

I am a type 1, my mother was an extremely brittle and insulin sensitive diabetic, she died following a severe hypo at the age of 42. Unfortunately, she was not discovered in time and was left with severe brain damage and was left unable to breathe etc by herself. She died slowly over the course of a week after life support was switched off, it devastated both myself and my sister, we were still in our teens at the time.

An important point though, what constitutes normal? The majority of my peers don't have diabetes but I wouldn't consider their lives any more or less normal than mine ha ;)

Diabetes is an horrendous disease, yes a positive approach and sunny disposition help, as does taking responsibility, educating yourself and managing it the best you can. The deeper your understanding of the illness is and the more experience you have of it the easier it gets, but it still a tiring, difficult disease, that offers no respite.

Looking at today for example, I have been out with friends most of the day, off road biking, catching a music gig and going for out for a classic English breakfast. A pretty "normal"day to an outsider, but as part of that "normal" day. I have had to do two infusion site changes (blocked cannula), I have pricked my bruised finger tips eleven times, I have had to carb carb count, make sensible choices with food, ignoring the urge to go for 110g carb of burger and chips etc etc, declined alcohol and so on..

I started a fast at 1pm as I am assessing my basal profiles at the moment and then had a hypo whilst trying to get jiggy with my girlfriend, so no in a very real sense I don't think my life will ever be normal ha. I believe diabetes will shorten my life expetency and that I will eventually die of its complications, it's a long term degenerative, chronic illness that negatively impacts upon every organ in the body. I accepted that a long time ago and I endeavour to minimise the risks through tight control and taking a positive attitude. I am a realist and I think denial and over optimism can be a dangerous thing.
Focusing on the positives, I live a healthier lifestyle with diabetes than I would without it. I don't smoke (probably would have if I wasn't diabetic), I don't do recreational drugs (probably would do socially if I wasn't diabetic) I eat a healthy, balanced diet (definitely wouldn't have such a focus on it if I wasn't diabetic) I exercise regularly (again I wouldn't do this so much if I wasn't diabetic)

It's like anything in life, you make the best of the hand you have been doubt. Diabetes is no fun, but it could be a hell of alot worse. When I was diagnosed at the age of 12, my endo took me round the children's cancer ward and let me talk to the children there who were dying...

I have a friend with Crones disease with half a stomach who has had a colostomy bag for most of his life, I have another friend in a wheelchair who had his spinal cord severed in an accident. Life be a *itch, but we adapt, grow and on we go..

:)

Comment by Scott Strumello on November 19, 2011 at 3:16pm

Riva Greenberg wrote an excellent article about this ad for Huffington Post. Catch it at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/riva-greenberg/jdrf-diabetes-ad_b_108... .

Comment by Jennifer on November 19, 2011 at 4:18pm

I have a T1 daughter, age 5, diagnosed at age 3 and she is completely normal. She plays, laughs, dances, learns - everything a "normal" child does. Does she have to check her BG 10+ times a day and wear an insulin pump and monitor her health more closely - of course she does, and always will! But she certainly is normal! Is a person in a wheelchair not "normal"? What about a person with a prosthetic limb? What about a person with a severe peanut or other food allergy? What about someone with severe asthma? Who here is so perfect that we can determine what is normal? T1 is a serious condition that requires lifelong monitoring and control. But it is offensive to me to hear someone state my child is not normal because the beta cells in her pancreas stopped working through no fault of her own. From my perspective, it's not "normal" to have a pity party for yourself and focus on all the negative, awful things that MIGHT happen someday. I think it's normal to focus on the positive and all the things you can do and can achieve.

I don't have T1 and don't know what it feels like to have it. But my child does. And not a second of any day goes by that I wouldn't take that extra burden away from her and put it on me. But please, if you don't feel "normal", don't lump all T1s together by saying that no T1s can be normal. Attitude is everything.

Comment by Jacob's mom on November 19, 2011 at 6:00pm

I find this line of talk upsetting. What is normal and not normal and what is the point of defining this anyway. We all have bagage in life be it mental or physical. I do not see the value in defining our diabetic children as not normal, we all know it is a serious condition and pray for a cure. I have encouraged my son to join tudiabetes for support, he has declined he is too busy being a kid, managing his diabetes and carrying on, dreaming of his future. He feels different from other children and has sadness and bad diabetes days, but to be honest if he read any of this he would feel very "unnormal" and not supported. Am I trying to shelter him, maybe, but I am educating him about his diabetes and nurturing his nondiabetes wonderful qualities. I will not let diabetes hamper his spirit or limit his potential.

Comment by Anna Banana on November 19, 2011 at 7:14pm

I belive that no body is normal. Every one is unique. I belive that if as long as a diabetic takes care of their diabetes by checking them self and giving themselves insulin they can live as normal as a life as everyone else. Diabetes shouldnt stop people from doing the things they love. If they set their mind to something then they can do whatever they want in life ( just watch out for those annoying lows and highs )

Comment by Melitta on November 19, 2011 at 7:51pm

I have no problem with JDRF's ad. I think we need to squarely address problems such as death due to hypo, diabulimia, death by insulin OD, etc. These are real problems, and denial does not serve us well. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 35, so I know what it is like to live a "normal" life and then radically have to change (and throw the word "spontaneous" out the window). That said, I believe we can lead really excellent lives with Type 1 diabetes. Lara, thank you for posting, and I am truly sorry about your friend.

Comment by acidrock23 on November 19, 2011 at 10:34pm

I also suspect that I might be dead already if I didn't have diabetes as I was rather uh, wild when I was younger (with diabetes...) and may have been quite a bit wilder if I didn't have diabetes "brakes" on some of the more debauched things that we were involved in...

Comment by Maureen Giannone on November 20, 2011 at 4:48am

T1 for 38 years . it was annoying to constantly take urine samples (no bs testing in 1973). I was hospitalized at 18 w/bs @ 1100...had an unknown urinary tract infection. Spent 12 days in the hospital. Came out and said I am NEVER going back! Exercise craze began w/Jane Fonda at the time w/gyms opening up everywhere. I became pragmatic with my care and adjusted w/the times. Education and being aware of how your own body and how it works AND reacts is incredibly difficult but the most important thing you can do for yourself. Not sure "what normal is". After 38 yrs I would say it is easier today than ever before to be a diabetic. Nutrition is in the forefront of minds. Every food item in your aisles lists carb count. Its learning how much insulin to take at that time of day for that amount of food/drink. I went to an Exercise w/diabetes conference 6 yrs ago. I had just become a cozmo pump user and it was suggestion made to me Integrated Diabetes ran seminars throughout weekend. Gary Scheiner refers to himself as "Diabetic Coach". I have gained more knowledge about "my diabetes" in 6yrs than in all the 32 yrs previous! He is in PA and can work with you on line. Education + knowledge are the keys to your diabetic success .it is not said often as to how individual being diabetic is. Our ups + and downs come with our own activity There is no doubt we have to be at a higher level of consciousness each and every time we do and eat something. Understanding the consequences we may face later is up to you.we are constantly being told how perfect we must be and it is difficult to hear when we are not if all your friends and family had to face the reality of their own health every 3 hrs or so they wouldn't consider them selves "normal" either. I sincerly wish All the best in seeking the information you need for your diabetic success. -Maureen reen515@msn.com

Comment by Lara on November 20, 2011 at 6:08am

Buckley, jeez, so sorry about your mom. I can't imagine what your family went through.

And just for the record, I'm not a pessimist by any means, just a realist. I'm not depressed and I don't have a bad attitude about D in general. I believe diabetes has affected my life in terms of some major decisions I've made and things like athletic performance. That's nothing I'm lamenting, just a fact. To tell a child that D does not have to affect their lives and they are completely normal is a disservice to them. Just my opinion after almost 40 years of having D. No need to take offense at the use of the word "normal". I'd like to see that energy focused on somrthing important--like finding a cure for all of us.

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