Posted by Sandra Silvestri on October 31, 1998 at 18:40:51:
In Reply to: Re: ADA Advocate Alert Received Today posted by Al Gordon on October 29, 1998 at 22:01:43:
Al:
I have always said to people that it helps to understand why an organization was founded and by whom in order to understand the organization. ADA was founded by and continues to support doctors treating diabetics. It should really be called the American Diabetic Physican and Business Association. Attending one of their conferences can be unsettling and confusing. In the convention hall are the "trades and vendors' and their book publishing store. Upstairs are the scientific sessions where "science" is presented. The science is all kinds of science. I have seen wonderful things presented there and I have seen lots of wasted time spent there. Very little of it is funded ADA research. It is a forum for presentation but it is not only ADA funded research presented. In the beginning of one's search for answers it is easy to be confused by what you see. But with a little exploration and questions and ALOT of listening to your heart, you see the truth.
I don't have any problem with the ADA performing the services they provide and am grateful for their interface on legal issues and standards of care, etc. But to include the word "cure" in their mission statement as they are now doing WITHOUT evidence that they have changed their research funding policies or percentages is offensive to me.
I have fundraised for the ADA on several occasions and my wonderful physician who I love is ADA as well as many of the wonderful researchers I know. But these are not the people who define policy and I really believe that if the ADA BELIEVES what it is sending out in these alerts it needs to put its money where its mouth is before it attacks the government that HAS made changes in funding recently. The irony is too great to overlook.
I usually resist commenting on this as I do believe that the ADA has some wonderful, commited volunteers AND members but this is a sore point to me. I may be looking for trouble again but so what...my only motivation is Joey and in my heart I know that Joey would be better served with some self reflection and examination by EVERYONE involved in diabetes, including and maybe especially, the ADA.
Sandra