So, today someone posted a comment about my daughter's YouTube video. Here is what she posted:


Your video gave me the courage to get an insulin pump. I was diagnosed when i was 18 months old, in 1990. I am now just getting the courage to get a pump after 17 years of shots. Your daughter is inspiring.


I have to admit I teared up a bit when I read her post. When we were faced with the task of making the video I wanted to show the impact that the disease had on her life. But I didn't want for it to be a depressing story of doom and gloom. Don't get me wrong, type 1 diabetes is a very difficult disease to manage. To give you an idea, I haven't had more than five straight nights of uninterrupted sleep since my daughter was diagnosed 5 1/2 years ago. However, learning to live with this disease has also taught all of us about strength and perseverance. We have all marveled at how courageous my daughter has been and continues to be. She fights every day to win the battle against this disease and usually prevails. Despite all of this she continues to be a kid first and foremost. I wanted for that message to come through in the video. I wanted everyone to realize that just because she has this disease doesn't mean that it has her. Making the decision to switch to the insulin pump was one of those important decisions that helped Samantha become more independent and at the same time take better care of herself. The fact that our video helped someone else find the courage to try the pump makes me feel so uplifted. I didn't want for our video to leave people with a negative impression; I wanted for people to recognize that despite everything that we deal with day in and day out, we still are hopeful. Someday there will be a cure for diabetes, but until that day comes technology (like the insulin pump) will keep improving and allow our kids to live healthier, more normal lives. Any person who has the courage to make the choice to try something new and different is truly a remarkable person and this gives me even more hope.

... you'll catch a cold

A little video put together by my hubby. Narrated by Martin Douglas.

Common Cold, By Ogden Nash
Go hang yourself, you old M.D.!
You shall not sneer at me.
Pick up your hat and stethoscope,
Go wash your mouth with laundry soap;
I contemplate a joy exquisite
I'm not paying you for your visit.
I did not call you to be told
My malady is a common cold.

By pounding brow and swollen lip;
By fever's hot and scaly grip;
By those two red redundant eyes
That weep like woeful April skies;
By racking snuffle, snort, and sniff;
By handkerchief after handkerchief;
This cold you wave away as naught
Is the damnedest cold man ever caught!

Give ear, you scientific fossil!
Here is the genuine Cold Colossal;
The Cold of which researchers dream,
The Perfect Cold, the Cold Supreme.
This honored system humbly holds
The Super-cold to end all colds;
The Cold Crusading for Democracy;
The Führer of the Streptococcracy.

Bacilli swarm within my portals
Such as were ne'er conceived by mortals,
But bred by scientists wise and hoary
In some Olympic laboratory;
Bacteria as large as mice,
With feet of fire and heads of ice
Who never interrupt for slumber
Their stamping elephantine rumba.

A common cold, gadzooks, forsooth!
Ah, yes. And Lincoln was jostled by Booth;
Don Juan was a budding gallant,
And Shakespeare's plays show signs of talent;
The Arctic winter is fairly coolish,
And your diagnosis is fairly foolish.
Oh what a derision history holds
For the man who belittled the Cold of Colds!

... when life gives you lemons, make a video.

Samantha's story about living life with diabetes is up on YouTube! Here's the link! Anyone willing to part with a couple of bucks can also make a donation to Team Sammy K, raising funds for this year's JDRF walk to Cure Diabetes! The walk has come and gone, but donations are always welcome!

Thanks all!