Mark Birkle

It seems like lately I've felt more abnormal than ever before in my life. I've always known I wasn't like the rest of the world. I have always been the different kid, the one who had to eat different food, the one who did shots all the time. I thought that I wouldn't feel so different when I got older. I figured that with time diabetes would be just a part of my life like being a brunette or having freckles. Now I'm getting older and diabetes is completely ingrained in me, but I still feel different. (READ MORE)

I know he meant well.

I know he was just curious.

I know he is simply concerned about my health.

But seriously, since when is "So how's your diabetus?" an acceptable question?

It's not like saying "How's your broken leg?" or "Is your cold getting any better?" The status of diabetes doesn't get any better.

I should say, though, that I suspect my friend--whom I had reminded that I have diabetes when he spotted my pump the day before I got hooked up--was really just wondering if the pump was making things easier for me. In fact, he asked as much several minutes later. (READ MORE)

theo_pz

What an awesome, great, fabulous, wonderful time I had this weekend in St. Louis, MO. I attended a family retreat put on by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The event offered people associated with our disease MANY opportunities. There were tons of kids, parents, and loads of helpful information. If you are someone who has diabetes or someone who has a relationship with a person with diabetes then I would highly recommend becoming a part of your local JDRF chapter if you have not already. There are literally hundreds of them around the globe and the nation and you will get everything you need from them.
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I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes twenty-five years ago. Twenty-five years is a long time to live with something. It is an especially long time to live with something that requires tight control. Twenty-five years is enough time to have seen lots of bad days, lots of good days, and lots and lots of in betweens. And it is enough time for me to have had the good fortune of seeing vast improvements in access to information and treatment, developments and improvements in technology and even some improvements in (GASP!) what health insurers are willing to cover. (READ MORE)

I'll admit it. I'm a big fan of cheap wine. Yummy. Give me some Boones Farm Strawberry Zinfandel on a hot summer night, and I'll get my buzz on - and get it on good. And I used to, back in the day, enjoy a nice cigarette (or ten) with my wine. Even now, every so often, I'll get a craving for a cigarette. Thankfully, the urge is usually cured by the smell of a heavy smoker passing by and occasionally cured by a simple, single drag on another person's gross-stick. (READ MORE)

Hey, bud. Been meaning to talk to you about this for a while. I've noticed that an awkward, unspoken rule has formed between us. Like you hold back when sharing concerns about little Timmy. Damn, that kid is cute. Have you met his father yet? Kidding.

You mention typical bumps and bruises sometimes, but you're quick to get off the subject, because "it's nothing compared to what you go through with Charlie and diabetes," you say.

It's true; it's not easy managing Charlie's diabetes. But you're allowed to be exhausted because you were up all night with the baby even though he doesn't have diabetes.

You're allowed to be worried over a rash or a bee sting or an especially peculiar smelling fart for that matter even though your child doesn't have diabetes.

I want to hear about it. I want to hear all about it.

In turn, I find myself not telling you everything about Charlie. I feel like you must be so tired of my complaining. (READ MORE)