Life in general

There comes to be a time in a persons life when you realize how important the little things in life are. Or more importantly the little living creatures that you let into your life and call your own. I lost my beloved pet hedgehog. Her name was Laurel, she was four and a half years old and had cancer in her jaw, but she was more than just a pet. She was my mascot. Shortly after I had gotten her my mom found out she had diabetes. She was seriously with me through everything so you can see how saddening this could make me. But I think it makes me feel closer to her because she was here for me. And now, I am here for everyone out there who thinks they are alone. There is a such thing as hope even in everyone's darkest hour.

Girl Scout Silver Award Speech

When the counsel had their lunch get together for girl scouts getting their silver and gold award, I had the honor of giving a speech.

I won't let it destroy me, neither should you

Missie, New Jersey

What's your inspiration?

On August 31 2008 I became diagnosed with diabetes (type 1). So what inspires me would be my experience with it.

What is one experience that taught you a lesson about diabetes that could help others?

To be honest everyday is a new experience that teaches me a lesson about my diabetes. However my one experience is when i get sick with the flu or even something simple, but to us diabetics we know nothing is ever simple. Although when i get sick the best way i can keep my sugar stable is by calling my endocrinologist, they work with me on changing some things around until i get better. They'll tell you the best way to maintain your sugar and what would be best to eat when sick and it really does help.

For example when i get sick my sugars always seem to sky rocket and i can never bring them down, which makes me feel a lot worse then i already do from being sick, however when my mom calls my doctor and they help me manage and or change things to make me feel a little more comfortable until i get better I've realized that my sugars are a lot better maintained and i also notice i get better quicker than expected. So when ever you feel sick even if its not something serious i would still call your doctor or whomever is in control of your diabetes because the littlest change can make the biggest difference.

How could our families, neighborhoods, or communities better prevent or live well with diabetes

Well for type 2 diabetics i guess the only advice i can give is to maintain a perfect diet and if necessary lose weight and maintain check ups with your doctor.

Therefore with type 1 diabetics i really don't believe there is anyway of preventing it but that doesn't mean its impossible to live with. Check ups like every three months with your endocrinologist is usually necessary and so is your A1C blood work, but do more than just that like exercise, be active, eat healthier. I'm telling you thats the best key for diabetes.

Most importantly for those with diabetes the world may seem impossible to live, but with a fight and believing even diabetes cant destroy us. Things may always be difficult but will never be impossible. Diabetes is a world wide thing, but its up to you on how you choose to live with it for those who do have it, but to me living with diabetes i believe that i can fight and live with it just fine, because i won't let it destroy me and neither should you.

Janette's Story

Janette's Story is inspiring because she doesn't stop trying to help others even though she has diabetes herself. In her interview she makes a point about how a persons attitude can affect how they take care of themselves and it is so true! If you have the attitude that diabetes is going to prevent you from living your life to the fullest if you try and take care of it, you may decide to not take care of it at all which is not good. Then again, if you have the attitude that you are going to use it to your benefit and become a healthier person you will have an easier time taking control of your diabetes.

Remember, the glass isn't half empty, its half full. Always look on the more positive side of things and you'll go far.

~Gen

Diabetes Clubhouse

The past two days I was a counselor at Diabetes Clubhouse for children ages 4-7. Clubhouse is a day camp for children who have diabetes and it is 2 days for 6 hours each day. Not all the children there had diabetes but the ones who didn't went with a sibling or their parent was a volunteer. This was my second year being a counselor. I had 4, 6 year old girls. Only 3 of them had diabetes. 2 of them checked their own glucose and I checked it for the one that didn't. When it came to insulin time, one of the girls was on an all day one so she didn't need it. And one of the girls gave her own shot, she only needed help with measuring how much she needed, which the nurses did.

The Theme this year was around the world, yesterday we "flew" to Africa where we made tribal masks and animal finger puppets. After that we "flew" to the South Sea Islands where we learned to hula dance and got lea's. Then we "flew" home just in time for the kids to be picked up. Today we "flew" to China where we made wind socks and sushi. After that, we cleaned up, said Xie xie (thank you in Chinese) and "flew" back to the USA to participate in the Olympics. Thanks to My Gym we had a sea saw, vault horse and a balance beam. The kids had a great time. They all got gold medals and then made flags for their own country. They had a flag parade and after that they made all us "grown ups" get on stage so they could give us gold medals. That's when the day came to end. I said bye to my girl with tears in my eyes, they were honestly the sweetest things alive.

Today all of the counselors including myself were dragging. What woke us all up and gave us enthusiasm was the energy of all of those adorable kids. I love helping, and even more so with kids. They were all very good at telling us when they needed something and if they were feeling high or low. I encourage anyone with diabetic kids in Utah ages 4-7 to sign them up next year. They have fun and learn a lot from it.

Don't let diabetes make you give up. You still have a strong body and will to fight with, just never give up hope.

~Gen Ellis

Tour De Cure and Summer School

On June 12th I participated in the American Diabetes Association's Tour De Cure up in Brigham City. I rode 25 miles on a sprained ankle in the wind. I made it all the way through but I will admit I struggled the last 3-4 miles, we were head on in the wind and it wasn't going down any. I had an amazing time and seeing all the people there made me smile, because every single person was there for the same cause I am supporting. Tour De Cure is a wonderful wonderful event, I am going to ride again next year. On top of riding I also volunteered. I woke up at 4:30 in the morning, got there by 5:30 and worked at volunteer check in and rider T-shirts until 10:30 when the ride started. Unfortunately around 7 I felt really sick, and was on the verge of deciding not to ride. But I came prepared to ride, so ride I did!

For the past 4 Weeks I participated in my high schools summer school class for computer technology. In that class we were required to make two power points. One about myself, and the other about a school subject. I chose to make my presentation on I will let you guess

Do you have it yet? I'll give you a little more time.


It was on Diabetes. I called it "The Truth about Diabetes" because I have found in ALL of my classes that bring up the topic of diabetes, the teacher as much as I may like them, gets it wrong. I am hoping to use my power point in my up coming gold award, which first I need to get my prerequisites done, then send in the plans, but hopefully it will be that I go into elementary and middle school classes and teach them all about what diabetes is, and give them the truth to common misconceptions.


"Diabetes might mess with your body, and your head,
but don't let it take your spirit."- Anonymous

~Gen

Tracy's Story

Tracy's story is one very inspiring and close to my heart. Denial when you have yourself convinced is hard to get over. Tracy is right, you have a choice to ignore it or to keep yourself healthy. Everyone is part of the "Diabetes Family" even if they don't have it themselves. Choosing to realize your part in that family though, is a different story. Since I have found my part in the "Diabetes Family" I realize how much I have learned and grown since then. Like Tracy said, you are never ever alone.

~Gen Ellis