Be My Legend
I don’t know what a legend is | But I hear it in your name | Tell me who you truly are | And what’s your claim to fame.
Read Be My Legend in its entirety here.
Be My Legend
D-Story: Liz W.
May’s Diabetes Roundtable podcast special guest, Liz Wolff, the owner of Cure Thrift Shop in New York, NY. This busy wife and mother is We hope Liz’s story helps to empower you to manage your diabetes with confidence, knowledge and inspiration (like a diva!) this month.
Diagnosis To Diva Story: I was diagnosed 18 years ago when I was 11 years old. I was a pretty mature 11 year old and was completely comfortable with my diagnosis. With the help of my parents, I immediately jumped into learning how to manage the disease and live a normal and healthy life. But, after a few years, adolescence took control and I was no longer the “model diabetic.” From around the time that I was 14 years old until I was 21, I was completely non-compliant. I rarely tested my blood sugar and took insulin according to how I felt. At one point my a1c was as high as 13! Finally, after getting married at 21, I realized that I could no longer be selfish about my life and my health. I took baby steps – testing a couple of times a day, then 3-4 times a day, until I got used to the new lifestyle. By the time that I was 22 years old, I completely turned my diabetes life around.
Biggest Self-Care Issue or Concern: My biggest self-care concern was always about having a baby. I feared that all of the years of being non-compliant would prevent me from having a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby. Fortunately, after a tone of testing and tight control, I was given the OK by my doctor to try and conceive. 14 months ago, on my 17 year anniversary of being diagnosed, I delivered a wonderful and healthy baby boy.
Special members of healthcare entourage: My endocrinologist, Dr. Jason Baker is my diabetes hero. He has opened my eyes to a new way of managing myself and my diabetes. He completely guided me and held my hand throughout my pregnancy.
Diabetes Associations/Organizations/Publications You’re Affiliated With: In 2008, I opened Cure Thrift Shop. We are a philanthropic thrift shop benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. Outside of Cure Thrift Shop, I participate in various fundraising events to raise money for the DRIF.
Favorite Diabetes Resource: Omnipod – it has changed my life Favorite Celebrity Diva (and why): Bethenny Frankel – she is completely self-made,confident, hilarious, and successful.
Favorite Movie and/or TV Show: All Bravo Reality shows – it’s my guilty pleasure, Girls, Game of Thrones, Mad Men
Favorite Song: “Our House” – Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
Motivating Mindset: My experience with diabetes has not been exactly smooth. There are absolutely days when I just let myself go and don’t take care of myself the way that I should be. My inspirations are my husband and my son – I NEED to be alive and well for them. I want to live a long and healthy life.
Your Motto: Hold onto yourself.
TONIGHT: May’s Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kate Middleton featuring Mr. Divabetic,Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDE, Kathy Gold RN, CDE, Mama Rose Marie, the Digital divas(Taryn and Jessica), Molly Lepeska from 100Campaign and Liz Wolff, the owner of CURE Thrift Shop in New York, NY http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/05/14/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kate-middleton
D-Story: Tim Brand
Tim Brand from ‘My Bleeding Finger’ Blog is our special guest on Divabetic’s upcoming Diabetes Roundtable podcast scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2013, 6 – 7 PM, EST. Here’s Tim’s ‘Diagnosis to Dude’ story:
Name: Tim Brand
Status: Father of 2 girls with Type 1 Diabetes
Diagnosis: (Month/Day/Year) April 1 2009, and April 10 2011 at ages 3 and 3 ½
Diagnosis To Dude: Two fold, in the endocrinology clinic at children’s hospital telling the certified diabetes educator (CDE) that they would need to send a nurse to our house to help us, I couldn’t do that kind of care. She said you can do it, later that night I gave our daughter her first shot of long acting insulin. Two years later I checked youngest daughter and she had a BG of 501. Then I began to write and advocate for Type 1 Diabetes and my 2 girls that live with it. Before I wrote, I could do all the diabetes care, I became a vocal advocate after 2nd diagnoses. I could no longer site on the bench.
Biggest Self-Care Issue or Concern: Societal ignorance that puts my daughters at risk and or the FDA.
Special members of healthcare entourage: My wife, she is a d-mom extraordinaire, the entire DOC and of course our Endocrinology team. We have a great team, our girls hugs our Endocrinology and CDE when they see them. They encourage us and tell us we are doing a great job. They are always upbeat and positive. I’ve never heard a negative word from them. The DOC because they are always there to vent to, ask advice and encourage me on hard days.
Diabetes Associations & Organizations Affiliated With:
http://diabetesadvocates.org/ We are a collective of individuals and organizations that offer expertise, resources, and support to those touched by diabetes. We believe that connecting with others living with and caring for diabetes, and providing emotional and anecdotal support, goes hand-in-hand with the support of a healthcare provider.
http://bleedingfinger.com/ My personal blog on Type 1 Diabetes. I tell the story of my 2 girls with Type 1 Diabetes and advocate on issues related to Diabetes.
http://www.tudiabetes.org/ Tudiabetes, a community of people touched by diabetes. I am a member and supporter.
Favorite Diabetes Resource: Dlife.com
Twitter Account: @bleedingfinger
Favorite Diabetes Self-care Product: G4 by Dexcom. Its help my wife and I get more sleep. Very accurate.
Motivating Mindset:
I have 2 daughters diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes exactly 2 years apart. They were both 3 years old when diagnosed. I motivated to help them stay healthy and keep life as normal as I can. I never want them to feel like they are a burden to me and my wife. It our job to take care of them diabetes and all; it’s our job to love them diabetes and all. It is scary to have a child diagnosed with Type 1, but you can do it. Just take the info your endocrinology team lays out and follow that. You will learn to adjust and a few months everything slows down and you will find a new normal for your family.
Your Motto: Tomorrow can’t wait, enjoy what you have today and make as many people smile around you as you can. ‘Carpe Diem’ is also a good motto.
Download Tim’s Story
D-Story: Alexis
Tonight, The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic presents a diva style approach to diabetes empowerment on this podcast for fashion lovers on his Buy, Borrow or Burn! Fashion Review podcast at 6 – 6:45 PM, EST on #blogtalkradio
Meet Alexis, our first Buy, Borrow or Buy contestant who is living with type 1 diabetes.
Alexis’ Diagnosis to DIVA Story: I had never really taken proper care of my diabetes until I became pregnant in 2006. It was a real wake up call. My daughter was born at 24 weeks and we both almost died. I have had 9 eye surgeries due to retinopathy and cataracts. I have lost the peripheral vision in my left eye from glaucoma. My kidneys are damaged as well because of my poor diabetes management. It is a daily struggle to keep everything under control, but my beautiful, smart and sassy 7 year old daughter keeps me motivated.
Biggest issue: I don’t check my blood sugar as I should. I am so easily distracted and constantly forget to check. I now have alarms set to remind me. My daughter also reminds me to check.
Healthcare Entourage: My daughter, Jolie is my motivation. She counts carbs with me and reminds me to take my meds on time. I just switched hospitals. I’m starting with Jacobi Medical Center now. I’ve only been there twice, but the staff in the Endocrine Clinic is really nice and supportive.
Favorite Diabetes Equipment: I miss my Medtronic Insulin Pump (it broke a few months after the warranty was up and my insurance won’t pay for a new one). I use the Humalog Pen…it’s simple, quick, discreet & painless.
Sense of style: I am simple and sensible. I dress for comfort because I work with kids.
I look best in: Flirty sun dresses and wedge sandals.
Famous Fashion Icon I Identify with: I say Marilyn Monroe; classy & sexy
Buy, Borrow or Buy‘s guests include: Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Kendra Charisse Porter body expert, style architect and founder of Honor You ( image consulting agency), Dalia Strum, consumer and business strategic digital media expert and fashion-related social shopping consultant and special guest, Alexis living with type 1 diabetes from New York City.
TUNE IN: Buy Borrow or Burn Fashion Review on 7/30/2013 6:00 PMEDT #BlogTalkRadio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/07/30/buy-borrow-or-burn-fashion-review
LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable podcast Inspired by Esther Williams #BlogTalkRadio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/07/09/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-esther-williams
Download Alexis’ Story
D-Story: Molly
May’s Diabetes Roundtable podcast special guest, Molly from Amsterdam is a mother of three and has been living with diabetes since 1999. But juggling the roles of wife and mother haven’t stopped her from getting involved with 100Campaign to make insulin available to everyone. We hope Molly’s story helps to empower you to manage your diabetes with confidence, knowledge and inspiration (like a diva!) this month.
Diagnosis To Diva: I’m a Midwestern girl, built of sturdy farm stock people who are quiet hard workers and don’t complain. I was raised learning to look at every obstacle in life and just “get over it, and on with it.” When I was first diagnosed, after spending the weekend in the hospital because of blood sugars over 900 and being shoved back into the world a few days later with really not much more than the knowledge of how to inject an orange with insulin, I figured I’d better just get on with it. I was a senior in college (in the middle of mid terms!) – 2 months away from graduation, about to start my career. I basically just figured it out all on my own – and didn’t really talk about it to anyone. I lived the next ten years with my diabetes this way – doing well but not really speaking much about my diabetes.
The irony of course of this is that I worked in global health and was a huge proponent of encouraging those most affected by a condition – be it HIV, diabetes, etc to be at the forefront of the advocacy. In 2010 I began working for a diabetes youth empowerment organization called AYUDA. Here I was surrounded by other amazing vivacious young people who were living “out loud” with diabetes- unashamed to test blood in front of crowds – wearing their insulin pumps outside their clothes- and I was still in hiding. Finally I realized I had to get out there and practice what I preached. I tested my blood sugar at a meeting in front of strangers. I spoke at a global meeting and finally talked about my experiences as a person living with diabetes. It was invigorating and liberating to finally become a full fledge member of this diabetes community. It was a huge step for me and ultimately helped me improve my diabetes health as well!
Biggest Self-Care Issue or Concern: I think now that I’m a mom of three kids and a husband who travels quite a bit for work, my main concern for myself is just watching my lows when I’m alone with kids.
Special members of healthcare entourage: My kids! Inspire me every day to stay healthy and live a long long long life!
Diabetes Associations/Organizations/Publications You’re Affiliated With: Founded in 2012, the 100 Campaign is a global movement committed to tearing down the barriers to access to insulin for all that need it. Disheartened by the lack of global action towards access to insulin, a small team of advocates with experience in diabetes communities in resource poor settings came together to launch the 100 Campaign.
Favorite Diabetes Resource: my Medtronic pump!
Favorite Celebrity Diva: Tina Turner. She’s overcome so much on her own to become not only an inspiration and an icon but a unflappable cool customer with the most amazing legs. Ever.
Favorite Movie and/or TV Show: The Graduate/Project Runway
Favorite Song: Always (Atlantic Starr)
Which Diva inspires you the most? Your 3 choices are: Carol King, Carol Burnett and Florence Henderson ‘Carol Brady’. Carol Burnett. Proof that women have a sense of humor!
Motivating Mindset: Diabetes is a journey – not a destination. Your in it for the long run so dont stress every single bump in the road. For me the most important thing I learned was that everyone is totally different on how you handle your condition – there is no “right” way to do it. When thinking about your cafe you are your best advocate!
Your Motto: Pedal to the metal!
COMING SOON: May’s Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kate Middleton featuring Mr. Divabetic,Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDE, Kathy Gold RN, CDE, Mama Rose Marie, the Digital divas(Taryn and Jessica), Molly Lepeska from 100Campaign and Liz Wolff, the owner of CURE Thrift Shop in New York, NY http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/05/14/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kate-middleton