Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Extra, Extra! Read all about it...

More updates in the paper! Read to your hearts content....

My letter showed up in Monday's paper. I already put it on my blog...read it HERE if you would like. There hasn't been any responses to these letters yet but if one shows up, I will post it here. If you want to read the letters that have already been published you can click HERE.

"DIABETES"

I would like to respond to Mr. Wallace Barber's complaint about a "boy injecting himself with whatever medication, in front of God and everybody all while sitting at a table." I am sorry that you were so appalled, but I applaud the boy! I have been a diabetes educator in the community for more than 15 years. I have had diabetes myself for approximately 20 years and I would like to educate you about the disease this young man and others are facing every single day of their lives.

This young man deals with Type 1 Diabetes. He uses a needle and pokes his finger four to eight times per day. (Sorry you missed that part!) He gives insulin injections more than three to six times per day. He had to count his carbohydrates while eating at Burger King and account for how much insulin to take for the meal.

He cannot choose which day he wants to deal with this disease. he cannot choose where he wants to deal with the disease. He must face the disease every minute of his life!

I have worked with many children who have a difficult time giving injections at school because they are too embarrassed. There are times they have missed injections because they do not want to deal with people staring at them or the comments. T he injection of insulin is what saves this person's life!

I am proud he had the guts to pull his diabetes equipment out and give the injection as he has been taught. In doing this, he will have less complications associated with diabetes. There is no need to hide the disease.

November is "Diabetes Awareness Month." I encourage you to educate yourself about diabetes. Instead of being appalled--ask questions! There are approximately 24 million people who have diabetes and the numbers continue to increase. You never know, you might be sitting at Burger King one day, giving an injection of insulin!

Nancy B, Idaho

(This is the other super CDE that we have the privilege of working with!!)
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"Diabetes"

In response to "Shock and Appalled," submitted by Wallace Barber regarding his experience at Burger King on Oct. 3, 2009.

Quite frankly, "I'm shocked and appalled" at Mr. Barber. Because he sat there " in front of God and everybody" and passed judgement on a young boy who had a medical need.

I'm very, very proud of that boy for giving himself a shot. Only a few know how hard it is to do that. Only a few know how much bravery it takes to do that several times a day. Only a few know how terrible you feel if you don't. Obviously Mr. barber knows how it feels to have an organ in his body malfunction because his brain dried up when he wrote his editorial to the paper.

Yes. I have a child with T1 diabetes and yes, I have seen my own little boy giving himself a shot before he ate his Burger King and I don't care if the world stops and stares...I'm incredibly proud of my son for knowing how to care for himself at such a young age and to not worry about opinionated old stuffed-up minds that would dare to suggest he take himself into a filthy, germy bathroom to do this.

I hope Mr. Shocked and Appalled has since learned that God and everybody else is absolutely fine with that little boy but it is Mr. Barber himself who God wants to have a chat with.

Julie B. Colorado.
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"Diabetes"

This is in regards to a letter to the editor submitted by Wallace Barber regarding his experience at Burger King on Oct. 3, 2009:

Dear Wallace,

I hope you understand that I was appalled, too. On Dec. 4, 2007, I was in the hospital and my son was DYING. I was told that unless he was going to get shots EVERY day for the rest of his life he would not make it. There was no pill he could take and no diet he could follow to make it better. His body made no insulin and and he would need to have it injected every time he ate, and there would be no exceptions to this.

I remember going out and being scared because now his life would be completely dependent on this hormone called insulin. To make matters worse, people would stare and behave unseemly, because they could see we were doing injections at meal times.

As time has passed, I have come to realize that people in general do not realize that we are not giving him a shot to "ruin their dinners." They simply do not understand that the child doesn't enjoy getting insulin in a shot, but that it must be done to maintain health. These children should not have to have a shot in a special "shot room" (which doesn't' exist) that is sanitary and used only to receive injections. Burger King has not provided a sterile room that people may use to receive insulin.

Surely, you would not want to make a child use a room that is for human waste, when receiving medication. I would suggest if you see my son or another child who has Type 1 Diabetes, to remember, when they get that shot, they are doing the right thing. They are taking care of their body, and being a positive example to the 15,000 children who are diagnosed each year with this terrible disease.

Betty R. Utah
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"Injection Letter"

I was shocked and appalled to read Mr. Wallace Barber's letter in Sunday's paper regarding his "complaint" about a boy giving himself an injection in front of God and everybody" at Burger King.

Frankly sir, I found YOUR letter extremely offensive. The boy was most likely a diabetic. You must obviously be unaware that people suffering from diabetes must inject insulin when they eat, whether they are at Burger King or not. This disease is very difficult to manage and requires constant vigilance. It is especially difficult for children and teenagers to maintain such a strict regimen.

The way you refer to his medical needs as "that sort of business should be done in private" particularly upset and offended me. you imply a person with diabetes has a choice and should be ashamed. Don't you suppose that boy has enough to deal with in coping with his illness? He probably already feels he is different than most of his friends because of the regimen he must adhere to.

Your blatant intolerance and lack of basic human compassion is inexcusable. And by the way, I was getting ready to eat my dinner when I Read you letter and I, too, completely lost my appetite. So thank you for "totally ruining my meal."

Joyce M. Idaho
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11 comments:

tiburon said...

I am still bummed they didn't publish mine...

Teresa Whitehead said...

Thanks for posting these, Shamae. My favorite line was, "Obviously Mr. barber knows how it feels to have an organ in his body malfunction because his brain dried up when he wrote his editorial to the paper." Obviously this man touched a nerve, and I hope he realizes it & is embarrassed by now. I'm pleasantly surprised the Journal is publishing so many responses.

phonelady said...

I love it what a true pouring of support and outrage we have out there and I for one am glad to see it . God bless all these ppl for replying to this arrogant and ignorant man for writing an ignorant letter .

Joanne said...

That last one made me laugh out loud. Great stuff... thanks for taking the time to post these!

Meri said...

Is it no wonder I love our community?!!!! I love love love all these letters AND the people who wrote them!

Wendy said...

I. LOVE. IT :)

Thank you for taking the time to repost these for those of us who can't see them.

YOU ROCK...and I LOVE the outpouring of LOVE from everyone!

Goodwin Family said...

I think its fantastic to see such a response to this! Hopefully this 'man' sees his mistake and how much grief it is causing and correct himself!

Rachel said...

Oh I am so enjoying these letters. I hope that Mr. Barber feel horrible about his letter. Hopefully he will take this opportunity to educate himself. I would love to see an apology letter from him!!

Jen said...

This is so amazing Shamae! Thanks again for alerting us all and continuing to keep us posted. I can't believe how many letters they have published..fantastic!

Emma said...

We've been following this one as well! I'm happy to know there is a voice for Type-1 Diabetes!

Mel said...

I love Julie's opening line
"Quite frankly, "I'm shocked and appalled" at Mr. Barber. Because he sat there " in front of God and everybody" and passed judgement on a young boy who had a medical need."

I really love reading the responses to the article. Way to go ppl for standing up against ignorance!!