THE STORY OF ONE FAMILY'S JOURNEY WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES AND CELIAC DISEASE.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Dear Mr. Wilcher,

I read your article today.  It was hard to swallow.  Some of the things you said simply aren't true and it feels like an insult to my mothering skills when you insinuate that I, somehow, caused my daughter's Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis.

But do you know what's harder to swallow?

Acknowledging that up until the day she was diagnosed, I subscribed to some of these misconceptions.  Not because I was insensitive...or cold hearted...or ruthless.

Because I just didn't know.

I didn't know that we'd wake up on 7/25/05 and end the day with so much left to learn in order to keep her alive.  I didn't know how to poke her little fingers and toes.  I didn't know that she'd rely on insulin injections for the rest of her life.  I didn't know that I'd have to calculate every. single. carbohydrate she ate or drink for every meal - every snack - every birthday party - every school function - every everything.  I didn't know that I'd never sleep through the night again, because I'd have to manage her blood sugar around the clock.  I didn't know how hard it would be to balance her activity level, diet, growth and illnesses with her insulin needs.  I certainly didn't know that we'd walk a fine line between between stable and unstable every second, every minute, and every day on the road ahead.

Maybe I should have.  I mean...I AM a Registered Nurse and all...but I didn't.  Nothing in nursing school prepared me for the experience of raising a child with Type 1 Diabetes.

So maybe you just didn't know either.

I can forgive ignorance...but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE learn from this experience.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't allow misconceptions to continue infiltrating the media.  PLEASE help stop the madness.  If you'd like to write an article about Type 1 Diabetes in the future, make sure you educate yourself and use reputable sources of information.

Someone's life could depend on it.

Thanks.

**Update:  See the apology and retraction statement HERE.**

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11 comments:

  1. What an awful article. Starting off anything like "I don't like seeing diabetics......" I'm sorry Wendy. I am sure as a mom, this is even more hurtful to you and the other Mamas. Love you so much, and you're beautiful attitude in the face of injustice.

    (((HUGS)))

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  2. I think I am going to start mailing him all kinds of info on type 1. And maybe boxes of used test strips. Just for fun.

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  3. OK...do I really want to read this article? I haven't yet, but I am seeing a posting posse in the DOC. I think I may need to go scope it out...UGH.

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  4. I like George's idea. I have about a jillion lancets; maybe I should send all of those to him and let him start testing his own finger 10 times a day just for fun.

    It's a shame that people continue to perpetuate the myths about diabetes - obviously he is misinformed. A lot of people are...however, being misinformed means he SHOULD NOT BE WRITING ABOUT DIABETES AS IF HE HAS A CLUE.

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  5. You did a great job ---
    So proud to be your friend. I just called him a FT!!

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  6. Wendy, you did a wonderful response! I tried to write a comment to his article, but I was so mad that I couldn't even get the words out. Thank you for speaking for all of us!

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  7. You always know what to say and how to say it!

    I wish these Doctor's would stick to their own areas of expertise.....hmmmm, maybe that's not even a good idea. Poor patients.

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  8. I second your Please Please Please! Wonderfully well put!

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While I'm happy to share our experiences with what works, and what doesn't work, for the management of Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease in our house, please do not mistake anything you read here for medical advice. Decisions regarding your/your child's health care should be made only with the assistance of your medical care team. Use any information from this blog at your own risk.