Staff dressed in blue to draw awareness to World Diabetes Day

I, have a grand-daughter who is 11years old .She has had type1 diabetes for 7years now and I, think she is one of the bravest children I know. This year her school,Digby elementry is going to have the children wear blue in november to bring awarness to world diabetes day.

The Hope Lions Club draws awareness to World Diabetes Day by wearing blue every year.

In 2007 I developed gestational diabetes. After the birth of my daughter my 6 week check up was great and my blood sugars had returned to normal! Unfortunately, by September of 2008 the signs of diabetes had presented themselves again; extreme fatigue, nausea, weight loss. Exercise, diet restrictions and medication changes worked for short periods but the weight loss and fatigue continued. Not to mention the extreme thirst and frequent trips to the washroom through the night. In March of 2009 I was referred to an endocrinologist who told me I had type 1 diabetes and required insulin for life. Since then I have continued to keep those dietary changes and exercise practices in place. I feel so much better!

Each year my family and friends rally together and we participate in the JDRF Telus Walk for diabetes and each November I canvass in my neighborhood for the Canadian Diabetes Association. With the giving help of so many people, I believe research will find a cure for this widely known disease that is sadly misunderstood.

On November 14 we are wearing blue to show our awareness!

The Bramalea Community Health Centre staff are my champions because….. Not only did they 100% support wearing blue for diabetes day November 2009, but to celebrate diabetes month the staff became PLoWD (person living with diabetes).
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over 36 years ago. My son was diagnosed 1 year ago Mother’s Day. Having heard many variations on “you should be doing this” or “why aren’t you doing that” I began to think, would you be able to do what you are asking others to do? This then lead to the development of the “Walking in my shoes” experience.
The Medical Office Assistants, Physiotherapist, Social Worker, RNs, N.Ps, Physicians, Community Health Educators, Data Manager, Health Promoter, and Management all had the opportunity to experience the day to day regime from the perspective of someone living with diabetes.
Individuals chose either multiple daily injection (dry injections 4 times a day) or insulin pump (saline was substituted for insulin). They were given training from the Diabetes Team Dietitians and RNs on treatment, management, and nutrition. Some were placed on medication regimes (tic tacs). All were trained on meter testing and requested to test 3-4 times a day minimum. All were given 3-4 envelopes to be opened at specific times. The contents would read “your blood sugar is 2.4mmol/L. Treat with the enclosed dextrose tablets (sweet tarts) and follow the instructions on “treatment of a low blood sugar”. Everyone found it to be an invaluable experience. All reported how challenging it was.
I would like to thank my wonderful DEP team that listened to my crazy ideas and through creative collaboration made this event better than I would have imagined.
A special thank you goes to Angela Roode from Medtronic, Salim Lakhani from Sanofi-Aventis, and from Bayer. Your support and contributions were immeasurable.
I would like to thank the Bramalea Community Health Centre’s Executive Director Mayo Hawco for not rolling her eyes when I presented the idea, and for allowing us to take over the staff meeting without letting the cat out of the bag.
Above all I would like to thank all the wonderful staff at BCHC for making this event so successful. They went above and beyond what most would do to experience some of the day in and day out challenges those of us face living with diabetes.
They all are true Diabetes CHAMPIONS!

Ethan was diagnosed with Type 1 at age 3. Now 10 years old, he has never let Diabetes bring him down or stop him from getting all he can out of life. Since 2004 he has helped raised a total of almost $15,000 for the Brantford Walk to Cure Diabetes. This is our third year as Team E-FORCE for the Walk with last years roster at 27 walkers. Ethan has competed in for many seasons of Ball Hockey and taken part in various charity Tournaments including the JDRF Welland Tournament in 2009 to raise money for the Boston Pizza Foundation for JDRF, all three Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournaments so far and the Ontario Road Breakers Street Hockey Charity Tourneys. We always hear what Diabetes takes from our children and their families but it also gives back to us as well. Among bringing families cl oser together and truly making you realize what really matters in life, it makes you aware that their are many diseases that you forget about just because they do not affect you personally. It opens your eyes to more than just yourself and diabetes. It has also given Ethan many great experiences including the opportunity and privilege of meeting many people incl Walter Gretzky at tournaments, country singer George Canyon to discuss life with an insulin pump and many local Dignitaries. He has practiced with the Blue Jays on field, been chosen Athlete of the Week for the Tournament Capital of Ontario website including on-camera interview and even participated in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Ceremonies when it passed through town. Ethan has gone from a shy boy to a kind, active and involved young man who treats the people he meets in life with care and respect. He is our Diabetes Champion every day.