Crystal Bowersox still a winner

Crystal may not have won American Idol, but she’s still a winner!!!

So many people shy away from their dreams and say or think “I can’t do that . . . I have diabetes.”

I congratulate Crystal Bowersox of American Idol for WINNING in spite of her diabetes!

Is the cup half empty or half full? Often times we see only the negative side of diabetes. Diabetes can also be used as a built in alarm system or a constant reminder and motivator to help us make healthy life choices.

I see immediate results when I eat the wrong food or too much as well as when I choose not to do the exercise I planned to do. Diabetes is a watchdog that motivates me and gets me out the door to run when it would be easier to roll over and go back to sleep. If life hands you a lemon (diabetes) why not make lemonade – have a good attitude and use it as a motivator to help you live even healthier than you might otherwise!

Crystal made some adjustments and won . . . so can you and I !

Let’s join Crystal’s CAN DO attitude . . . and see what we can accomplish . . . even with diabetes!

The take home from this?

If you have diabetes, keep dreaming, singing, and dancing . . . Life is good!

Life . . . be in it!

Jerry

American Idol example

How many are watching American Idol this season?

So many people shy away from their dreams and say or think “I can’t do that . . . I have diabetes.”

I congratulate Crystal Bowersox of American Idol for reaching the final three in spite of her diabetes!

I heard that early in the American Idol season this year they had to reschedule a program due to Crystal having a low blood sugar episode before a show. Crystal has subsequently made adjustments to her diabetes routine to fit her new circumstances . . . singing on an international stage and being judged by tens of millions including Simon Cowell!

Keep singing your heart out Crystal . . . your diabetic friends cheer your success and your CAN DO attitude!

The take home from this?

If you have diabetes keep dreaming, singing, and dancing . . . Life is Good!

Life . . . be in it!

Jerry

I will be on two radio shows next week. Please join in and learn about diabetes, new Prodigy® products, and share your thoughts . . .

¨                                            Tuesday 5/18/10 8:00pm EST Disabled and Proud  http://www.kfai.org

¨                                            Wednesday 5/19/10 8:00pm EST ThruOurEyes http://www.thruoureyes.org

Taking to the airwaves

How many of us know the many circumstances and quirks that can change the best laid plans of mice and men . . . and people with diabetes?

I’ve read many of the diabetes how-to books, but it always seems to come as a “surprise” to me when my blood sugar doesn’t follow my plan and goes off on its own. I can usually look back and find some logical reason, i.e. a stressful meeting, a bit too much lunch, or more time and effort than I expected in washing the car. These are all part of a normal day, but for someone with diabetes trying to stay healthy, it’s wise to spend the extra time and effort to take these things into account. Being aware that these “things”, and many more, affect our blood sugar is good to know. It’s not beneficial to get carried away and paranoid . . .  just wise to be mindful and aware! The more we know about what activities impact our blood sugar levels, the better prepared we are to make wise choices and relax. One of the best how-to series of living with diabetes books I have read is authored by John Walsh, CDE. John has lived himself with diabetes for many years and he has a way of explaining things in a way that makes sense and are doable. His website is: www.diabetesmall.net.

I will be on two radio shows next week. Please feel free to join in and learn about diabetes, new Prodigy® products, and share your thoughts . . .

¨             Tuesday 5/18/10 8:00pm EST Disabled and Proud  http://www.kfai.org

¨             Wednesday 5/19/10 8:00pm EST ThruOurEyes http://www.thruoureyes.org

Life is good!

Talk to you soon.

Jerry

Living 37 years with diabetes

I know in my 37 years of living with Type I diabetes I have run the gamut of “diabetes experiences.”   Being an active runner, bicyclist, golfer, etc., I have had way more than my share of low blood sugar “learning experiences”

Since beginning insulin pump therapy 11 years ago, the “lows” have been a lot less frequent and “softer,” if you will. There are many, that know me well, that may say that switching to pump therapy saved my life. Having experienced the great weight of self-doubt and difficulties that living with diabetes can bring, I am passionate about doing what I can to encourage, motivate, and equip other people to “Live Well with Diabetes.” I have good memories one summer of working as a Diabetes Camp Counselor and encouraging, playing, teaching, laughing, and sharing life with the 12 sixth graders with diabetes in my group!  We gave a lot of oranges their daily shots and ate tubs of my favorite food . . . peanut butter!

It is that same passion that now drives me to work with Prodigy Diabetes Care, LLC,  and help design innovative new products that equip people with the tools they need to take on diabetes and win.

I am always an optimist and diabetes, when treated properly, can be just a hiccup in the Great Adventure of Life!

Let’s talk diabetes

My name is Jerry and I, like most of you, have lived with diabetes for many years.

I was originally diagnosed with Type I at age 16, 37 years ago, and have since tried to learn as much as I can about diabetes from books, friends with diabetes, diabetes doctors + CDEs, and my own experiences to help me learn how to live long and well with diabetes. Diabetes is a disease I didn’t want and wouldn’t wish on anyone. On the positive side, it has motivated me to make life choices that have improved my overall health, i.e. regular exercise, a balanced diet, regular doctor visits, etc. I have also met numerous friends in the industry that have given me much-needed education and encouragement over the years including: John Walsh, CDE (www.diabetesnet.com), David Mendosa (www.mendosa.com), Michael Robinton (www.insulin-pumpers.org), Jeff Hitchcock (www.childrenwithdiabetes.com), Jim Turner (www.dLife.com ) , Dr. Paul Chous (www.diabeticeyes.com), and many others.

In 1983 I had the opportunity, even with diabetes, to realize a longtime dream of riding a bicycle across North America – a 4,200 mile adventure!

I love the outdoors and now in my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, nature photography, relic hunting, mountain biking, trail running, and genealogy study – my great great cousin was Wyatt Earp!

For the past four years I have had the pleasure of working in the diabetes industry with a company, Prodigy Diabetes Care, LLC, that is breaking new ground in the development of innovative new products for people with diabetes.

I think it is fair to say that I have a passion to Live Well with Diabetes and help others to do the same!

Please keep coming back. After 37 years of living a great and healthy life with diabetes, I have a lot I want to offer.