Re: Giving Advice

[Default] On Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:35:51 GMT, "Colonel Bippy"
<Colonel@xxxxxxxxxx> Giggled into the madness of usenet:

I'm not wasting bandwidth. I'm mocking you, RK.

Loretta's advice is cautionary, both to Amber and to people giving advice so
freely to a vulnerable teenager who, herself, expressed doubts about her
making this trip.

While Loretta expressed caution, you advised Amber to take the trip and eat
funnel cake.

If Loretta is wrong, the worst that can happen is that Amber stays home,
catches up on her reading and takes day trips with her sister.

If you're wrong, as Loretta said, something "nasty" could happen.

I think Loretta's advice is better, both for advice givers and Amber,
whether Loretta has used insulin or not.



actually, based on personal experience, going to theme parks all my
life as kid, teen and adult, knowing that the extra walking and summer
weather will help reduce BGs and allow more freedom to eat like a
non-diabetic for the day and the fact that it is actually okay for
just one day for a type 1 teen to actually run a little higher than
normally desired simply to avoid hypos while out and about all day.
There are many ways to make the day safe and enjoyable. Their are no
reasons to use diabetes as an excuse not to go except 1.

and that 1 reason involves the chaperones, not the diabetic. If the
chaperones don't feel up to the task, which is not all that hard to
begin with, or if they are total air heads a much more dangerous
likely hood, then the trip should be reconsidered.

I've spent entire days at Busch Gardens Williamsburg at various ages.
most trips because of the amount of exercise I would normally inject
only for the large meals of the day. But I would be snacking almost
non-stop all day long to avoid hypos. all that walking and the
adrenaline rushes from the rides tends to keep the BG down for a type
with a basal insulin onboard. I got to eat, guilt and worry free,
fudge, ice cream, various chocolates from the sweet shops, shared
fruit and cakes with friends. All the while testing and never going
higher than 130 after most of the treats. Of course I didn't get
these huge double servings my friends got. sometimes I only got one
small piece of fudge when they got a half a pound or more. But the
point is, I didn't have to deny myself anything. Not the trip, not
the treats, and definitely not the fun with my friends.

A type 1 cannot let fear stop them.

some things I always did and always provided for my friends.
1. get a park map and immediately find and mark all of the first aid
stations. on mine and the others maps.
2. explain to everyone that if I do have a low BG we can cut in line
at any of the concession stands. we simply need to state the
emergency calmly and only get the regular soda for the hypo then get
back in line for the rest of the snacks we want to get for everyone.
People will be understanding and accommodating so long as they do not
feel they are being played.
3. tell the people I am with how to treat a hypo and what symptoms to
look for. Am I sweating when everyone else is not? am I repeating or
slurring my words? do I appear confused or irritated for no reason?
Are my hands trembling or shaky? anyone or combination of symptoms?
Treating the hypo is simple: get a regular coke and make me drink.
Even if I refuse. Better to treat a high BG than a severe low. For a
type 1, the short term effects of a high will cause no damage.
4. never go alone or get separated from the group. it's not just
easier for us, it's easier for them. if something does come up they
have each other to rely for help getting us help. They don't need or
want the stress of being caught alone having to provide help for us,
even if they are in a crowd of thousands.

after doing all that simply have fun. and test at intervals. Now I
had the advantage of having friends who always new that I was
diabetic. So we found that whenever we got in line at a ride, that
would actually be a good time to test. keep an empty film roll case
or something that size to store used test strips. What I have seen
over the years is that people will only react badly if they think you
are wiping your droplet of blood on the surfaces that other people
will touch such as tables and hand rails. Which of course no one
should ever do. so just bring extra napkins and something to stick
them in until you get to a trash can to throw them away.

Some times I would get someone who would actually ask me what I was
doing, I would simply say, diabetic had to check my sugar. and they
would say oh and move on. others would introduce themselves as
diabetics and spark up conversations. it was funny a lot of the time
when a type 2 would describe being diagnosed within the past 10 years
and then ask me how long I was diabetic, and I would say since I was
8. but for the most part, people just mind their own business.

Now one of the problems with amusement parks is the volume of people
and restrooms makes for really filthy combinations. and the sink
counters are frequently soaking wet from all the kids splashing water
everywhere. so it really is best to just test outside.

Fear should never be a deciding factor for a type 1.

--
Mâck©® Deltec CoZmore Pumper
Type 1 since 1975
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org
http://www.diabetic-talk.org
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org
http://www.pandora.com enter "Jason & Demarco"



"To announce that there must be no criticism of the
President, or that we are to stand by the President
right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile,
but is morally treasonable to the American public."
....Theodore Roosevelt

(o ô)
--ooO-(_)-Ooo--------------------

"I don't know half of you
half as well as I should like;
and I like less than half of you
half as well as you deserve."
....Bilbo Baggins


DISCLAIMER If you find a posting or message from me
offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...
..



.

Loading