DFAN/ONESTEP DIABETES NEWSLETTER
April 2001 Edition


_____ABOVE THE AIR_____

It's taken such a long time for me to write about this
"thing" that I've noticed over the years. I initially
found it online, once I started meeting more people
with diabetes. I didn't socialize too much with
others who had diabetes so my only exposure to
other diabetics was through an online setting. What
is this "thing"? Diabetes elitism. Diabetic-on-
diabetic prejudice.

Yep, a set of social rules set up for us in the diabetic
community. Wow….there I said it. Hard to believe?
Well, I'll do my best to describe it to you.

I first noticed this set of prejudices when I was chatting
one day. I heard some people with Type 1 diabetes
pouncing (and I deliberately use that word) on a Type
2 diabetic because that person allegedly didn't under-
stand what a Type 1 diabetic goes through. It was
strange. To me, diabetes is diabetes. I know there
are some differences in how each is treated, but that's
true for every person with diabetes. Even among people
with the same type of diabetes. No two people take
the same amount of medication, eat the same amount
of food, or even test at the same time each day. So
that was my first exposure.

Next, I noticed a set of prejudices among Type 2 diabetics,
I was surprised. The first I noticed was a prejudice
between those who take medication and those who don't.
This was very peculiar to me. How could Type 2's be arguing
among themselves this way? I was on an e-mail
discussion list and there was a conversation going on between
two people. The hostility began when one person began
speaking about the foods they could still eat and the other
person felt that was akin to bragging. I saw the
conversation degrade from that point.

A third type of prejudice? One of the latest types of
diabetic-on-diabetic prejudices I've seen is the new "low carb
prejudice. This is the prejudice some people who use
a low carbohydrate meal plan have for those of us who
don't follow that plan. This is one of the most heated
prejudices I've seen. I've actually seen conversations
where people are told to change their management plans,
abandon their treatment regimens and switch to this
new way of eating. Don't get me wrong. If eating a
low carbohydrate meal plan works for some people with
diabetes, that's great, but the prejudice and pressure I
see for others to switch isn't a good thing.

I once heard it said that if everyone on this earth was
the same color, we'd still find something different about
each other to complain about. The fact that I've seen
this happen in the diabetic community reinforces this with
me. I just hope we can learn to live in this diabetes-world
in a calmer, more supportive way. Our differences are
what make each of us our own personal diabetes managers.
Each person has a separate and unique plan that is just
for them….no one else. There's no need to try to feel
superior because one can eat more flour or because one
doesn't have to exercise three times per week. Just be
grateful that each of us has a plan to work with….and
that's what we should be doing…..working toward our
diabetes management goals. Not trying to tear each
other down with our differences.



______NEW KIDS SITE!_____


Our new DFAN Kids Diabetes Site is up
and running! Our old site was fine, but we
must admit that it was time for a make-over.
So we've re-worked the site and given it a
fun new look and hopefully a fun new feel
too!

The kids site is for diabetic kids, their
family members and especially their
parents. So if you know a child with
diabetes or know anyone who you think
might benefit from our website please
send them to this URL:

http://www.geocities.com/dfankid/


_____POLL QUESTION OF THE MONTH_____

One of the articles this month talks about prejudice
in the diabetic community. Do you think there is
a difference between the way a Type 1diabetes views
diabetes and the way a Type 2 diabetic views diabetes?

Send your responses to:

dfanrequest@... -or- dmmteam@...


_____LETTERS NEEDED_____

Hello, My son is Andrew Gibson of Fremont and he
was chosen by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
to represent California kids with diabetes in Washington
DC. 200 kids from across the country will address
Congress and other Administration to tell what it is like
to live with diabetes. They will advocate for an increase
of funding for research for a cure. Andrew must bring
support with him. We have set a goal of 1000 letters from
Californians. All we need are basic letters showing support
for funding toward a research for a cure. I ask you today
for a letter from yourself and to increase the amount of
support could you please pass this on to family, friends,
neighbors, etc. Andrew has created a website that explains
further and I can deliver you flyers. Thank you for your
time and ink. Andrews Mom (Anna)

Go to this URL to get instructions on how to write
the letter and where to send it to!

http://hometown.aol.com/boywizkid



_____WEBSITE WORTH VISITING_____

Two years ago we reviewed a novel diabetes Website
that we thought well worth visiting. At the time we wrote:

"This program is a wonderful VISUAL component
in letting a newly diagnosed insulin user 'see' what is
happening and how it is happening, and how the
insulin HELPS their condition become treatable and
livable," says one AIDA user. "Diabetes doesn't have
to be thought of as a death sentence. With the right
information, and the correct way of presenting it,
anyone can understand it."


Well that is what we said then. AIDA on-line and the
AIDA downloadable software have recently moved to
a new, dedicated facility (at: http://www.2aida.org).

What's new since we last reviewed these diabetes simulators?
Well, AIDA v4.3 has been released and can now be downloaded
for free from www.2aida.org

This upgrade offers glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
estimates for the blood glucose simulations. Therefore
assuming the simulated blood glucose control was
maintained for a 2-3 month period, users can get an
indication of what the HbA1c level might be.

AIDA v4.3 also provides a new case scenario
import / export facility which allows cases to be
transferred between users/computers via email / the
Internet. The intention is that over time this should
permit a larger database of interesting case scenarios
to be compiled for free downloading from www.2aida.org

Technical upgrades with the move to AIDA v4.3 include
a streamlined installation procedure for Windows users,
a 'fix' for AIDA usage on fast Pentium II / III PCs, hot
key by-passing of introductory caveat screens (much
requested!), and a reduced file download size (1.0Mb
instead of 1.5Mb) so the download will be faster and
the install file will now fit on a single floppy diskette.

Also to keep people informed about future upgrades to
AIDA - including the launch of 'AIDA for Windows' - a
new, automated AIDA registration /announcement list
has been set up. To subscribe to this very low volume
list users simply need to send a blank email
note to: subscribe@...

In addition to all this, AIDA on-line has been integrated
in with the main AIDA Website, and can now be accessed
directly at: http://www.2aida.org/online This new
Web-based simulation facility runs on a faster server
and makes use of smaller graphics / simulation files
than before, thereby potentially reducing the on-line
simulation times.

Furthermore there are a whole series of articles about
the use of computers in diabetes care which are freely
available at the Website. These can be accessed directly
at: http://www.2aida.org/articles

So for a fun Website - with some very useful, free
diabetes content - why not pay www.2aida.org a visit!


AIDA on-line: http://www.2aida.org/online

Announcement list: subscribe@...


_____BOOOK OF THE MONTH_____

The American Diabetes Association Guide to Healthy Restaurant Eating
by Hope S. Warshaw
List Price: $11.16

Provides nutrition information; fast-food restaurants
This volume had detailed nutritional data (calories,
fat content, fat grams, sodium, cholesterol content, etc.)
on many fast-food items. Included are common items
from McDonalds, Wendy's, Arbys, Taco Bell, KFC,
Subway

Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days.

To learn more about this book click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580400043/teamdiabetes


_______POLL RESPONSES_______

When diabetes comes into a life it's very important that
rest and relaxation play a role in a diabetes management
plan. We asked our readers how they pamper themselves
and here are some of the responses:

Response #1:

"As a fisherman I tie flies. Though tedious, for me, it is
relaxing.

Reading. Since we turned off the TV almost 5 years ago
we read a lot, talk and listen to the radio."


Mike T2


Response #2

"Well, having retired from 31 years of working for IBM
and now heading up the local diabetes support group I
am impelled to be constantly reading technical journals
to keep myself current. To relax, I read a murder mystery
by Grisham or Clancy, or a book by Chuck Swindol. To
divert my energies to something pleasurable is indeed a
good reward and something relaxing."


Response #3:

"My favorite way to pamper my self is to get a professional
massage, especially when I've had an especially rough week.
Follow it up with a warm shower, and you'll sleep like a baby!"


Response #4:

"This was hard for me. I thought I never had time to
pamper or relax :) But after I thought a few minutes:
If I take a walk in the woods with my cat, or read a good
mystery, or slather on nice smelly lotion, …those are the
ways I relax and pamper myself. Never really thought
about it before."




_____DIABETES MANAGER SERIES_____

We've started running a series of short
tidbits called "Diabetes Manager Series".
These are quick tips on how to be the best
Diabetes Manager you can be for yourself
or your diabetic child. Here are two of the
series:

Diabetes Manager Series #1:

Treat your diabetes like it's a client. It might be better
to do this, especially when you see diabetes as an
"invader" that's crept into your path. As your own
diabetes manager you're working toward a goal that
will influence your world...no one else's.....your own.
When you lose the weight it's going to be something
you do for yourself...even if others are a reason for
losing the pounds.

In a practical sense, don't make yourself wait if there
is something you need to do. Don't tell yourself it's ok
to make yourself a low priority issue. That doesn't
mean to drop everything else...or to neglect others....just
keep yourself in mind EVERY day. Those diabetes
management tasks you put off might be just what you
need to get the breakthrough you need.


Diabetes Manager Series #4
BACKWARD GOING FORWARD

Being a Diabetes Manager means you might have to
get creative with yourself sometimes. Getting
yourself to change habits or think a different way
might seem foreign and a bit too difficult. Here's
an idea. Have a "Backwards Day"....it might sound
counterproductive but bear with me a bit. See, if
you're used to overeating, not exercising and giving
in to your fears, "Backward Day" is just what you need.
This will be the day that you do things that are opposite
to your normal habits. The goal is to only be
"backward" for the habits that need changing. So
when you get up in the morning if you have a
problem not doing your exercises, get up and do
them immediately. If you have a problem with
drinking too much soda, have some water that day,
etc....etc.... If you can't remember to take your
medications, try to take as many of them as you
can in the morning (according to your doctor's
directions)

The fact that you'll know "Backward Day" is only
going to last 24 hours might help you get the tasks
done, and being able to do it for one day might be
just the motivation you need to keep moving toward
your goals.

Having a "Backwards Day" might be the most forward
thing you do this week.

Copyright 2001

Belver
Visit The DFAN Diabetes Webpage: http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite
Visit Christian DiabetesLiving: http://home.att.net/~belve
Got any strips or meters you don't need? -
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/angel
Weight Loss Motivation Kits - http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/kits

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