Health care is a basic human right, not a privilege. For some reason, we’ve allowed ourselves as Americans to be fooled into accepting that one must be blessed with “means” to actuate appropriate health care. As a nation we have failed to realize that our health care system is a barometer of our society’s value for human life.

-Me

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Diabetes Made Visible (In My Life)

If you haven't checked out the Flickr group Diabetes Made Visible yet, I suggest you head on over and do so!

I've put up a few pictures at the group, and I am also going to put up the pictures I post here today in that group. The main reason I post pictures in that group is because I believe I have something to offer. I am a type 1 diabetic, but my pictures will not focus on myself, but on my peanut. I believe I have something to offer because my peanut is only three. It is hard to imagine poking a three year old. It is hard to see a three year old's blood as being part of a daily routine. It is touching for people who are not directly affected by diabetes, and even for people who are directly affected by diabetes, to see how it affects one of diabete's littlest members.

I want my pictures of my peanut and diabetes to reach out and pull on heartstrings. I want Gracie's story to make other people want to stop type 1 diabetes. I want my beautiful little girl with diabetes to make people scream "NO FAIR! THIS IS NOT RIGHT!"

Because it isn't right. This shouldn't be her life. There should be something better. This isn't good enough. And once again, I want people who see my daughter to know and to feel that it could just as well be THEIR daughter. Type 1 diabetes as an autoimmune disease does not discriminate.

That being said, here are a few pictures from today's routine.

To start out with, Gracie wasn't real happy with the finger I chose. I count to five while I wait for her to pick a finger. Sometimes she is hesitant, so I count to five again. Today I counted to five FIVE times, and still no finger was chosen, so I had to choose myself. I hate those times, she fights me so much! I picked her thumb, and then she got super mad at me because I didn't let her put the blood in the strip all by herself. That isn't something I let her do yet anyhow, but she struggles so much to get back her control with diabetes (she has no idea that this will be a CONSTANT from now on!)

I was greeted with a not so friendly 190. Hmmph. I hate numbers like these, and they are creeping up ever so slowly. We had three perfect days after one rough day and then hello, we have another rough day. I'm not ready to start short-acting insulin yet, okay God?!!

Lastly, I handed Gracie the reigns and she gave mister Rufus (the bear with diabetes) his nightly shot. Well, not nightly, sometimes one of her babies gets the shot instead. It just depends on who is on Gracie patrol that night!

5 comments:

Christine said...

Sorry for the high bs. I really like the pictures you put on Diabetes Made Visible, but nothing wrong with posting some pics of your own routine too, you know. It would be interesting to show how it's a family affair.

Chris said...

I just want to hug her. I wish her and Emma could test together. She is adorable.
From the start we stayed away from the words Needles, pokes, pricks etc. And use test, insulin. I know eventually we will call them that. I am just sharing with you, not oposing.
Its hard not to get upset with those numbers especially in the AM. My wife often worries about them but i just remind her that Emma's goal is between 6 and 12 so when we get a 10 (190) we have to remind ourselves that she is still safe and what we do next is crucial to manage that number. I know you know all of this i just wanted to "chat" with you.
YOur Bear thing is brilliant. We may start to use something like that to get her to switch injection sites. She favors her arms. It is difficult to get her legs and other areas involved. Will try animal of sorts.
This isnt fair. And it blows.
Im in the same boat as you as to "advertising" how diabetes needs to be cured for our childrens sake. And what better way to do it by using them as a catalyst to get such an emotional message out.
Keep the pics comming they were great.

Scott K. Johnson said...

Sarah, those pictures speak volumes.

Bernard said...

Sarah

That first picture of Emma is powerful, I wish she didn't need those fingersticks. She is a darling.

I wish you a peaceful, balanced Christmas with readings of 110 for the entire holiday season.

Amberthyme said...

It is so not fair for these little ones who don't really understand! Have you been to A Lifetime of Diabetes?
http://www.alifetimeofdiabetes.com/photo.htm
It has professional pictures of kids with diabetes. I found it a week before I found Diabetes made visible. The artsy stuff is great but I like Diabetes Made Visible because it's mostly regular people and how this disease affects their lives. Pictures of my Brenna are on Diabetes Made Visible as well. How can some one look at pictures of Gracie, Emma, and Brenna and NOT want to find a cure?!?