Don't Let It Affect YOU!

I have been living with diabetes a majority of my life. I was diagnosed March 28, 1992. I am now 23 years old and I can see how having this disease has affected those around me.

Shortly after being diagnosed, my entire family made a drastic change. My parents, my brother, and my twin sister all changed their diets to accommodate for my dietary needs. My strict lifestyle affected everyone.

Myself, Michelle, my twin, and Brett, my brother

My schedule also changed. I was to wake up at seven in the morning for my morning injection. My twin sister soon became a pro at giving me my morning antidote of my bended Humulin R and N insulin.

At birthday parties, I was given cake with the icing scraped off while my twin was allowed to indulge in all the sweetness of cake. She later informed me that she felt guilty for eating candy in front of me.

My friends were also affected. They choose not to drink sugar-full beverages around me nor do they wish for me to feel isolated because I live with this disease.

TerriLyn Quarterman-Maye's great grandmother, grandmother, and mother are all diabetic. “I am coincidence of things because of it,” she states. “I eat healthy," she adds, ”and refrain from eating sugar.”

Quarterman-Maye's stepfather also has diabetes and has been in a diabetic coma. “I have seen what can happen to a diabetic,” Quarterman-Maye states.

Stacie Clemons, whose best friend is a diabetic, adds that sometimes she is scared for her. “I don't know how I could handle what she lives with everyday,” Clemons explains. “My biggest fear is her having a seizure or worse!”

Watching how technology has benefited me with the increase knowledge of diabetes has given me the opportunity to experience what I call a 'normal lifestyle.' I have been grateful to be on the insulin pump which allows much more freedom for me as well as my family.

I encourage all not to allow diabetes to control your life. I encourage all to believe that there will be a cure and that not all hope is lost. I can only wish that those who know an individual with diabetes to educate themselves and understand that our lifestyle does not have to be yours.   

Senator Kay Hagan's Crusade for Better HealthCare

Senator Kay Hagan introduced the Catalyst to Better Diabetes Care Act back in 2009.

This is used to better track diabetes on a national level.  In North Carolina, there were only a 10% of individuals suffering from diabetes.  Currently, that number has double.

 According to the Congressional Research Service this act “requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to:

 (1) review uptake and the utilization of diabetes screening benefits to identify and address problems with utilization and data collection mechanisms; 

(2) establish an outreach program to identify existing efforts to increase awareness among senior and providers of such benefits; and 

(3) maximize cost-effectiveness in increasing utilization of such benefits.”

To sum it up, the bill will help educate, push more information on the disease, and create more funding for research.

One of the best features is that young adults can remain on their parents' insurance up to the age of 26!

"I know that with the knowledge we have today, my niece can live her life with this disease with much more ease," states Chris Biggs.