Diabetes Viewpoints

Viewpoints

Even with over 23 million other people with diabetes in the United States, it is still easy to feel like you are living in solitary confinement. The daily challenges of managing your blood glucose can take a toll on your physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and financial health. And your family and friends who support you are not immune from the effects of diabetes either.

But you are not alone. Support is one of the keys to keeping a grip on this disease and dLife is here to help you. Our Daily Living columnists are everyday people living with diabetes – just like you. Their views are their own, stemming from their personal experiences with managing diabetes. Their goals are the same – to encourage others as they take it one day at a time.

People Living with Type 1

Deanna Glick, living with type 1 diabetes for over 14 years, has met her greatest challenge as far as a woman with diabetes: having a child. She talks about the adventures of managing diabetes and motherhood in her column, Mommy Meter.

Manny Hernandez, is an Engineer from Venezuela who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in late 2002. His background drew him into using an insulin pump starting mid-2005. He is the voice of the Latino/Hispanic community at dLife through his column "Hola Diabetes".

Scott Johnson was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 5. In his column, Which Way Is Down, Scott brings his personal viewpoint as a young man managing diabetes and everyday life.

Kerri Sparling brings the twenty-something perspective in Generation D, exploring the world of relationships, independence, and growing up. Diagnosed as a child, Kerri's column explores living life as sucessfully and honestly as she can, all while living with type 1 diabetes.

Kathy Weinheimer was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on her fifth birthday in 1957. In her column, Here’s to the Next Fifty, she relates her experiences living with diabetes for fifty years, as well as her hopes and expectations for the future.

People Living with Type 2

Rachel Baumgartel in her column, Dueling Diabetes, relates the tales of her double-duty diabetes experiences. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in March 2005 shortly before her 29th birthday. Her husband has had type 1 diabetes for over twenty years. Rachel controls her diabetes with diet and exercise, providing a contrast to her husband’s need for insulin.

Kathryn Foss is a technical writer from Texas living in Oslo, Norway. In July of 2005, she was minding her own business and enjoying life as a newlywed when type 2 diabetes made its debut. Read about her experiences in her monthly column, Suddenly Diabetic.

Kalimah Johnson is a performance poet and activist for women, sexual assault, domestic violence, and for the LGBT community. In her column, Get It Together, Sugar, Kalimah talks about how type 2 diabetes impacts her life.

Travis Grubbs a professional home inspector and a city Building and Zoning Inspector, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in May of 2006. Travis shares his thoughts and experiences in his column Turn the Page, as a middle-aged male that had to change his life in order to address his diabetes.

Walt Raleigh was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2005, he has been eating better and exercising, and taking off weight (not enough, and not fast enough, but it’s happening.) His column, Type 2 Curmudgeon, shares his viewpoint as he learns the ropes of diabetes, from carb counting to exercising.

After two bouts with gestational diabetes, Ilene Raymond Rush was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1987. For her, every day is a second chance towards better care. In her column, Second Chances, Ilene talks about living and staying healthy with diabetes after the age of 50.

Parents of Children with Diabetes

Karen Hargrave-Nykaza is the mother of a child with type 1 diabetes. In A New Normal, she shares her perspective as she and her family find new meaning in life with diabetes.

Tom Karlya is the father of a child with diabetes. In Diabetes Dad, he shares his perspective as a diabetes activist as well as a loved one providing support in any way he can.

Archived Columnists

Christel Marchand is a wife, real estate agent, and hopeful mother living with type 1 diabetes. In Been There, Done That, Christel discusses how her perceptions of the disease impact the world around her and offers insight on how to survive – and celebrate – who and what we are.

Alan Shanley was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2002, and is now a retired engineer who travels the world whenever he can. His column, Testing Testing, talks about diabetes, travelling, and life in Australia with type 2.

Melissa Conrad Stöppler is a doctor and a mother performing her own Balancing Act as someone with type 2 diabetes. She brings her unique duality as a physician and patient to enhance her perspective.

Amy Tenderich gives her views in Straight Up. As a woman with type 1 diabetes, she shares her unique observations on the challenges of living with diabetes.

Disclaimer
dLife's Daily Living columnists are not all medical experts, but everyday people living with diabetes and sharing their personal experiences. While their method of diabetes management may work for them, everyone is different. Please consult with your diabetes care team to find out what will work best for you.