Just some random thoughts and factoids for you today. (READ MORE)

Congratulations to Halle Berry on the birth of her healthy baby girl on Sunday! The height and weight were not divulged, so let's all hope the baby doesn't suffer from macrosomia, a common complication for women with diabetes. Regardless of Halle's ignorance about her diabetes, the healthy arrival of a baby is ALWAYS news to celebrate!

A conference this week in Washington is focusing on the subtypes of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. At least 16 different genes can impact type 2 cases, and 14 genes can be involved in type 1. One of the goals of the conference is to increase awareness of the many possible forms of the disease beyond type 1 and type 2. (READ MORE)

I was HORRIFIED earlier this month when I read Halle Berry announced she was cured of type 1 diabetes because she had "weened [sic] herself off insulin." As most readers of dLife would know, that just ain't possible (yet).

But I found this interview from December 2005 that may clear things up. She may not remember her medical history, but in this story she clearly identifies it as type 2 diabetes. And even says she was a little overweight as a teen, as though that explains it. (READ MORE)

I'm putting on several layers of body armor for this post. I suspect some of you will be more than angry at me for saying this: Maybe we should give Halle Berry a break.

::Michelle ducks::

Here's my reason. She's clearly misinformed about either her disease or diabetes in general or both. Instead of attacking her, let's take this opportunity to bring to light the common misconceptions about diabetes, let's offer education to those who don't know or have been afraid to ask, and let's also encourage people who have diabetes to be as informed as possible about the disease and the best treatment options. (READ MORE)