Posted by Kristy on September 24, 2002 at 16:53:43:
In Reply to: Re: ADA - : The fleecing of the sick posted by Dennis on September 23, 2002 at 13:04:56:
Dennis, I appreciate your comments. I hope you are as committed to making a difference in the "diabetes world" as you say you are. I don't know you from Adam's house cat. Here you can only judge people by what they write. The only reason I called you a "jerk" ( remember, I am a mom) is because my son happened to read your response. We were online looking for info for a science report he had to write, and we just happened to notice that Ellen had posted his story from the local paper. When he saw your response, he cried and asked if he had said something "bad". You really should use this situation to help you remember that how you phrase things really can "injure" someone's feelings. I would think as a parent you would be more sensitive. Drew fortunately is 'over' the whole incident. He is an amazing boy. Much of his strength in dealing with diabetes is a result of his camp attendance over the years. I am curious to know if your child has benefitted from a camping experience in a diabetes camp setting.I would wish that for her/him.
You have every right in the world, to not be happy with the way ADA spends fundraising dollars. I too wish every penny could be spent on type 1 research! However, ADA's mission much broader that any other- to prevent and cure diabetes AS WELL AS to improve the lives of those living with the disease. I personally know researchers at UAB medicial school who receive ADA funding, and I KNOW the type of work they are doing. It is work that could BENEFIT MY CHILD. I have met the recipients of the $10 million grant for Florida's newborn screening. ( I still believe that you can't have a cure until you know how to prevent diabetes.) Again, that is MY very humble opinion. ADA DOES make a difference. It might not be what you want to see, but the beauty of it all is that you don't have to support ADA. Focus your energy on something else....it's as simple as that. Just try to be nice.
When Drew was dx the week of his 3rd birthday, my husband and I were told that in 10 years he would be CURED. It would have been a LONG, MISERABLE 7 years since his dx if we had not had camp, good educational materials,the help of ADA with the school setting and new diabetes products and insulin that we eagerly use in hopes of KEEPING HIM HEALTHY so that when the "CURE" arrives, he will be a candidate with no complications. I think many times the "contempt" I see here with ADA, really stems from the fact that ADA has to focus on type 2 issues. While the management and the potential cure for type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be very different, the sad truth is that the COMPLICATIONS from both are the same and very costly. It does make much sense to educate and advocate to keep people healthy.
I could say quite a bit more, but I have to stop and remind Drew to test blood sugar before dinner. Do we have that in common Dennis? Let me say in closing, that with the work I do with ADA in my little corner of the world is important.I have worked hard to educate and advocate for MANY individuals with diabetes or who are at risk for diabetes. I am the only staff person serving a large portion of my state. I would not be able to sleep at night if I thought I was taking any part of "FLEECING OF THE SICK".
My best regards.