All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Type 1 Diabetes and Real Life Scott Strange Diagnosed in1970 at age 7

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Disclaimer I am not a medical professional, I’ve never played one on TV, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Information in this presentation simply conveys my experiences with diabetes and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. Talk about any changes you may be considering with your own medical team before changing your treatment regimen.

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange What We’re Going to Talk About And Why We’re Going To Kids Are Smart Isolation Guilt Stress Depression What the…? Social Media Diabetes Online Community (DOC) Online Concerns The Cure? In Conclusion

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange And Why We’re Going To In 1970, the “sugar diabetes” was all bad, I’d probably be dead in less than 20 years, after I went blind and lost a leg. It is hard for me to look at today’s sites about CWD’s because I tend to see their futures as my past was. I want to make sure that my past doesn’t become anyone else’s future, because it doesn’t need to be

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Kids are Smart Eventually, your CWD is going to realize that diabetes isn’t going away any time soon. They pick up a lot of things that you may not realize they do. They also hear all the diabetes myths and stereotypes presented in the media They need to be educated, involved in their treatment so as they grow older they are prepared to take ownership

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Isolation It’s said diabetes is a lonely disease There is still a social stigma about diabetes It’s invisible Only other T1 diabetics can truly “get it”. As much as a caregiver wants to, it isn’t possible Even if you count carbs, glucose test, inject saline it just isn’t the same because your pancreas is working and ours aren’t

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Guilt Guilt is a huge player in diabetes, no matter the type. Myths don’t help at all: “You shouldn’t have eaten so much sugar” If it is a child, it is the parent’s fault. If it is an adult, it’s their own fault. I feel guilty that others worry about me and my condition Survivor’s Guilt

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Stress Diabetes is an all-day every-day condition It doesn’t sleep and it doesn’t care You are constantly planning to handle whatever situation diabetes is going to hand you. How will people react? What horror story will they share. What effect will there be on spouses, children, other loved ones The best I can hope for is a draw

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Stress Compliance. Right now compliance is composed of following the regimen AND seeing the desired results, if you don’t then it’s your fault. Hey! More guilt! It does NOT include the possibility of the regimen being wrong and it should Statistics presented by the media and medical professionals so dismal and all wrong. They can be fixed however by adding a single word. Uncontrolled diabetes causes…

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Depression Many diabetics suffer from depression. Myths don’t help here either: “You will have complications” In 1970, the “sugar diabetes” was all bad, I’d probably be dead in less than 20 years Personally, I have been depressed for most of my life. I developed a “Why Bother?” attitude.

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Depression Isolation, guilt, stress, & depression just seem to feed off each other: A vicious cycle It becomes hard to really manage your condition: “Why Bother?” Feeling bad becomes your norm, and even more guilt sets in when you feel good. “I’m not supposed to feel this way” Negative thinking takes over and “Why Bother?” becomes the norm

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange What the…? That’s a grim picture, how can you and your child avoid it? Your child has something that I didn’t have. It took me 40 years to figure out I wasn’t alone in this, they’ve already made connections. You are all here together. Events like FFL did not occur 40 years ago And there’s more!

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Social Media I originally went on-line to find info on pumping. Ended up on Tudiabetes.org I found my pumping info, and lots of it I didn’t realize it at the time, but I also found something much more important I found out I wasn’t alone and a huge weight was lifted off me I found that I really did need support and I had been blind to the fact that I really did.

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Diabetes Online Community (DOC) Finding the DOC has literally changed my life. I would never have considered “meeting up” with other diabetics before joining the DOC, let alone doing something like this. Now, I go to every meet-up I can It is so relaxing not being judged, being able to talk openly with people who truly “get it” without the D hanging out there

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange The DOC Likes Being Used! Even if you don’t want to post, check out blogs and support sites. There are literally hundreds if not thousands out there If you feel comfortable posting, you will be immediately accepted, even if you are still working thru the 5 stages. You’ll find help there for that as well. But there is nothing wrong with “lurking” and just soaking up some info In my opinion, even as our tools are so much more advanced now, the biggest boon to PWD’s has been Social Media, allowing people to connect with their peers

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange Use Common Sense Snake Oil and Miracle Cures If it sounds too good to be true… Think about how much of your personal information you want to come up in a Google search. Google yourself every once in a while. Bullies. Every playground has one. And the ‘net is the Biggest. Playground. Ever.

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange The Cure? I’ve been hearing the cure is “just around the corner” since 1970 I’ve stopped worrying about getting cured Even if the “cure” would only help the newly diagnosed, that’s a game winner for me I pray that it happens, as I don’t want see another person ever have to deal with this

All Content © Copyright 2010 C. Scott Strange In Conclusion Your children are NORMAL. It’s just their particular flavor of normal includes diabetes. Your children are not alone, but they need to truly understand what that means, that they can have the support of true peers. They need to have the confidence that they CAN do this; it is hard work, but it can be done.