To do the impossible. To march into hell for a heavenly cause. To do what others could only imagine. To go beyond the limits. To go beyond type one.
Twenty riders leaving New York and riding…….riding…..
How did Phillip Brenneman lose 200 pounds and get off insulinHow did Phillip Brenneman lose 200 pounds and get off insulin, metformin and his cholesterol and blood pressure medications?
The Garrett, Ind., man says he did it literally one …
Dad, I’m peeing a lot.
Thus started a series of events that would end up with my youngest of three becoming our second child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). You can find many statistics about having two kids with …
As is well-known, my last life was all about the theatre, television, and acting. There’s a saying in the theatre world that goes like this; there is no such thing as small parts…..just small actors.” I once directed a group
…As many people know, I spend a good deal of time up in the air. Traveling is a part of my job and as I travel to so many places, I share that “I have to do what I do….I …
There comes a time when one just cannot take it anymore. The struggle to figure out which way the world is front, and which is back. So many people stating which is the right way, which is the wrong way, …
Diabetes self-care is much more fun when I’m happy. It’s so much easier when I have a smile on my face. For a long time I thought negative emotions could be controlled or denied. I thought I could just put …
Exactly one year from today I will do something and it will be the only time I will ever do it in my life. I will walk my daughter to the front of where those closest to us will have …
As I wrote/reported recently, there is a lawsuit pending against the insulin companies regarding collusion on insulin pricing of late and how all parties must come together (read it here). Today, on CBS This Morning, they report the …
My life in the diabetes community started at a young age as the secret keeper of my maternal and paternal Grandmothers. They both had type 2 diabetes and my days spent alone with them exposed me to their misunderstanding of how their diabetes really affected them. Eating candy bars, hiding the candy wrappers and smoking cigarettes seemed innocent enough to them. A decade later I married a type 1 person living with diabetes and experienced the full court of the diabetes spectrum with my type 2 family members and type 1 husband of almost 20 years.
My grandmothers, the type 2 have struggled with their diabetes as long as I could remember. Later my mother followed in her mother’s footsteps. Sadly, my brother followed in my mother’s footsteps and experienced an early passing at the age of 53. My brother Jamal’s passing had the greatest impact on me. Probably because were the Irish twins; eleven months apart and his departure devastated me.
As I tell most people, diabetes is not a glamorous profession. Most people that work in the industry have a personal connection. This is why I am still here publishing after 26 years.
On the flip side of the coin, helping and inspiring people is my mission. I understand the daily challenges you face regardless of your education, IQ and economic circumstance. I am not a healthcare professional. Simply a lay person who has lived with a Type 1 and Type 2 family member who struggled with their disease. My former Type 1 husband was a role model in how to manage your diabetes, while my intelligent family members were role models on how an invisible disease can be misunderstood, devastating the quality of their life while leaving heart broken family members behind.
The perils of my experience have taught me to never judge anyone. As knowledgeable as I am, I also realize that I have no idea of the strings that pull at each person heart.
What I love about the diabetes community?
Once I meet someone and we share that we have a common experience; their diabetes and my life long experience as a care taker, we tend to have an instant bond. Think about it. How many people do you meet who you feel really get you right after your introduction? The conversations that follow tend to be very personal. Not a common experience with all strangers.
I started this column because where ever I go, people tend to ask me a lot of diabetes questions.
My answers are my opinions and it is not to be replaced by your healthcare professional’s opinion. The answers to your question in most cases will include research and other links to give you a borader perspective on your question.
If you have a question for me, you can reach me at asknadia@diabeteshealth.com
Enjoy the columns and I look forward to reading and answering your question about diabetes.
