Diabetic Live

Former NFL Player Known as a Diabetologist: Former NFL player Jay Leeuwenburg played the sport while living with Type 1 diabetes. He refused to let his disease get in the way of his dreams. He provides inspirational encouragement in his book, “Yes I Can! Yes You Can! Tackle Diabetes and Win!” co written with Denny Dressman.

Leeuwenburg’s website YesICanYesYouCan.com provides an opportunity to purchase the book and related materials, but it also provides some great tips for families and schools who deal with diabetes. While the information is abridged here you can find more tips at Leeuwenburg’s website.

Remember this advice was written for athletes who have Type 1 diabetes.

For the athlete

1. Educate
Educate yourself to the signs and symptoms of insulin reactions. Know the first signs and each progressive sign as they change your body and thoughts.

2. Anticipate
Know the activity you are engaged in, and know when the problems may arise before they occur.

3. Hydrate
Dehydration can not only lead to physical problems but also result in false blood glucose readers of higher numbers. Dehydration can often be misunderstood as high blood sugars (the symptoms of dehydration and extreme high blood sugars are very similar).

4. Use Restraint
Don’t overreact. A blood sugar of 200 is just fine. It is much safer to have slightly elevated sugars than to constantly fight lows throughout the activity. KNOW YOUR BODY!

5. Communicate
Tell someone else what is gong on. Tell a coach, a trainer or a teammate that you need to treat your sugar low.

For Teacher/coaches

1. Know who your diabetics are.
Don’t wait until the diabetic student in your classroom, or diabetic athlete on your team, is having a low blood sugar to find out they are diabetic. It’s okay to ask.

2. Have a plan for lows.
In the classroom, decide on a plan before your student has a low. Decide if it is okay to eat in the classroom. If not, where can they eat?

3. Don’t eat the food!
Emergency food is Off Limits to everyone, including diabetic students or athletes – unless they are low.

4. Check and replenish supplies.
Restock before you run out completely.

5. Know the signs of hypoglycemia.
Just because you may have taught or coached a diabetic in the past, don’t think they are all the same.

6. Have a plan for treating high sugars.
Know or find out if your diabetic student or athlete gives their own shots. Remember, you are not the doctor. But at times children need extra insulin.

7. Make the student/athlete part of the process.
It is not up to the teacher or coach to manage their student’s or athlete’s diabetes. It is the diabetic’s responsibility to identify lows. The teacher or coach is the diabetic’s support.

For Parents

1. Create a diabetic family.
Encourage everyone in your family to accept diabetes as a part of everyday life.

2. Have a schedule!
You don’t have to have everything at the same time every day, but meals especially help if they are at a consistent time.

3. Always have emergency food handy.
As an adult, never forget to have some fast-acting food ready for your child in case he or she is having a low blood sugar.

4. Don’t overreact, especially to high sugars.
Use blood tests as a tool, not to “catch” your diabetic child sneaking extra food.

5. Slowly give your child more responsibility.
Depending on your child’s age and their maturity level, start making them aware and responsible for their own care.

6. Let your child make mistakes, and help them learn from them.
Talk to your diabetic child about the choices they make and how those choices affect their body.

7. Don’t treat your diabetic child differently.
If your diabetic child is out of line, call them on it. If they do a good job, praise them. But don’t give extra praise just because the child has diabetes.

(Source: YesICanYesYouCan.com)

Pig Potential in Type 1 Diabetes Treatment: What do pigs; isolated Pacific islands and Type 1 diabetes have in common? A controversial new approach to a treatment for Juvenile diabetes.

Medical researchers in New Zealand are moving forward with a study that includes a science known as xenotransplantation – the use of animal cells and organs to develop medical approaches within humans.

In this most recent case scientists are extracting pig cells that produce insulin and injecting those cells into a human study participant. In previous trials there seems to have been some positive signs that this approach would work.

Neighboring Australia has a ban in place that prevents the study from taking place there.

The Controversy
Much of the discussion surrounding this type of scientific study has to do with the introduction of animal cells into humans. Theoretically speaking it could be possible for individuals who participate in this trial to develop viruses previously confined to swine. The most discussed virus is known as the retrovirus, which can create conditions for cancerous tumor growth.

The Pigs
Swine used in these trials were isolated for 150 years on at least one island off the coast of New Zealand. Doctors believe this pristine environment provides the best source of insulin producing swine cells available.

The Struggle Creating the Need
In Type 2 diabetes the body’s immune system misidentifies cells within the pancreas as invaders and sends destroyer cells to kill them. It isn’t that the body doesn’t do its job it just mistakes cells in the pancreas for an enemy and begins to work tirelessly to kill them.

This controversial therapy suggests it is possible to introduce insulin-creating cells from pigs and allow those cells to regenerate insulin creation within the human body.

The Potential
If pig cells could allow a Type 1 diabetic to begin the development of insulin it would minimize or even eliminate the need for insulin injections. Researchers have been quick to point out that even if everything goes the way they believe possible this therapy would still not eliminate all Type 1 diabetes symptoms.

Some scientists remain adamant that this type of study should be banned while others believe a ban needlessly narrows the field of potential therapies. At present New Zealand is the only country in the region that would allow this procedure. Australia may review their ban by year’s end.

Some research in xenotransplantation has taken place in the U.S., but according to WebMD, “Several obstacles to the success of xenotransplantation have been identified. These include, but are not limited to, (1) preventing hyperacute rejection, (2) preventing acute vascular rejection, (3) facilitating immune accommodation, (4) inducing immune tolerance, (5) preventing the transmission of viruses from xenografts into humans, and (6) addressing the ethical issues surrounding animal sources for xenografts and the appropriate selection of recipients (given that xenotransplantation remains experimental).”

WebMD Suggests, “Organs from pigs have been the focus of much of the research in xenotransplantation, in part because of the public acceptance of killing pigs and the physiologic similarities between pigs and human and nonhuman primates.”

SkyNews indicates the insulin producing pig cells used in the study will be, “Coated in a seaweed-derived membrane to discourage the volunteers’ immune systems from rejecting them.” There are eight patients in the trial and all have severe cases of Type 1 diabetes.

If Type 2 is Tied to the Immune System Can a Cure Be Found: Type 2 diabetes has always been thought of as something linked to metabolism dysfunction. Some recent research suggests this may be incorrect thinking.

The latest issue of Nature Medicine indicates the link may not metabolic, but one that involved the immune system. It has always been thought that it was the metabolism that might be to blame for Type 2 diabetes while the immune system was only responsible for issues related to Type 1 diabetes. What if immune issues were to blame for both forms of the diabetic condition?

Researchers dare to hope that if this link is true then a cure for 23 million Americans who suffer with the disease might not be as far away as we thought.

Dr. Vivian Fonseca, professor of medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and director of the Diabetes Institute at Scott & White is quoted in AJC.com as saying, “The authors [of this research] do suggest that if you change the inflammatory response by changing the way the body cells respond to a trigger for inflammation, you might be able to get at the real heart of diabetes and that suggests you could cure it.”

The research actually comes in the form of four separate studies and all concentrated on the immune system as it pertains to Type 2 diabetes.

What researchers found was that obesity seems to signal a decline in T-cells. One researcher describes the result as cells that leak. Inflammation of fat cells effectively renders them less able to use insulin.

When T-cells were restored to normal levels weight came off even without a change in diet or exercise and improved the way the body uses insulin.

You should understand this research was done on mice, and a human trial would be needed before any therapy could be made available.

A separate study looked at Mast cells in mice. Research headed by Guo-Ping Shi, Biochemist from the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School created diabetic conditions in the mice they studied.

Shi seems to suggest that inflamed tissue in Type 2 diabetes may be responsible for allergy sensitivities and may create the secondary chronic condition asthma.

This research team looked at two over the counter drugs used to treat allergic reactions – Zaditor and cromolyn. In their study on mice they discovered that a change in diet along with the addition of one of these allergy medications resulted in a near 100% recovery from diabetic conditions.

This suggests that by targeting the immune function of the body it may be possible to stop and reverse diabetes.

Shi’s team looked at Mast cells as a culprit. When the team stripped Mast cells from a group of mice they discovered no weight gain and no diabetes even after placing the mice on a diet rich in fat and sugar.

Perhaps by paying attention to the immune function as relates to T-cells and Mast cells researchers can begin to find a cost-effective way to actually stop diabetes.

If Shi’s research is correct then common over-the-counter allergy medications could play a key role in the reversal of diabetes by using these medications that have already proven safe.

Advances in medical science provide new insight into better methods for treatments, therapies and medications for diabetes management and stability.

It’s refreshing to bring a report that points so strongly at something that may have been overlooked.

Tuberculosis, Beta Cells and Type 1 Diabetes: In this article we bring two stories that affect Type 1 diabetics. The information covers Tuberculosis in Type 1 as well as new research that could result in either a therapy or cure for this pancreas destroying disease.

Researchers consider the prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) in Type 1 diabetics to be worth further consideration. Does TB signify diabetes or does diabetes point to developing TB?

While researchers can’t answer that question definitively what they do know is that TB shows up in Type 1 diabetics 3 times more frequently than those who do not have this disease.

The research is compiled from more than 40 years worth of collected data. “These studies consisted of over 1.7 million participants who had 17,698 cases of TB,” details from PloS Medical indicate. “Diabetes mellitus is characterized by abnormally high blood sugar level due to insufficient amounts of the insulin hormone, and TB is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs.”

In emerging countries like India and China this potential link may provide a reason to push for diabetic screenings in order to reduce the spread of TB. The PloS report developed by Jeon CY, Murray MB further states, “TB kills about 1.6 million people every year, a number that may decrease if diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can interrupt TB as well.”

Meanwhile American and European researchers are pushing forward with research that may allow dormant cells to be switched on to active beta cells. This is getting the attention of researchers because this could be a crucial step to effectively kick starting the pancreas in Type 1 diabetics.

Researchers have been able to successfully reprogram cells in mice to become active beta cells following the destruction of those cells in Type 1 diabetics. According to a press release from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), “In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks beta cells, stopping a person’s pancreas from producing insulin, the hormone that enables people to get energy from glucose. One pathway towards a cure for type 1 diabetes may be to restore insulin production through regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells within a person’s body, an alternative to transplanting functional beta cells from a donor.”

Richard Insel, M.D., Executive Vice President of Research of JDRF is quotes as saying, “This study suggests that regenerating beta cells may be a viable pathway towards restoring beta cell function in type 1 diabetes. It reinforces the concept that there are progenitor cells in the mouse pancreas that can generate new beta cells under special circumstances. And it points to some potential cellular targets for beta cell regenerative therapeutics – both the pancreatic progenitor cells and the alpha cells. Further, the research identifies a critical protein and pathways that can be used to screen for small molecule drugs for developing beta cell regenerative therapeutics that target these cells.”

The critical protein mentioned is called Pax4 and it appears to enable the body to alter certain cells to enable effective management of Type 1 diabetes from within your own body.

The JDRF press release concludes by saying, “By forcing expression in the pancreatic alpha cells of the protein Pax4 – a so-called transcription factor capable of modifying expression of multiple genes to regulate patterns of development or other key cellular functions – the researchers drove the conversion of alpha cells into insulin-producing beta cells in mice. The resulting reduction of alpha cells triggered the activation and differentiation of progenitor cells to replace the alpha cells that had switched to beta cells.”

Diabetes Quiz and Statistics – Part 1: PLoS Medicine is an open source directory of medical information. I recently encountered a ten-question diabetes quiz developed by Gavin Yamey and Virginia Barbour that really should be shared. Please feel free to see how much you know about diabetes and how it affects people around the world and in your own home.

Question 1. In the year 2000, roughly how many adults (20 years of age and older) worldwide had diabetes mellitus?
_ 50 million
_ 170 million
_ 500 million

Question 2. What is the approximate annual direct cost of intensive insulin treatment?
_ About $3,500 per patient
_ About $7,000 per patient
_ About $10,000 per patient

Question 3. What is the approximate cost of islet cell transplantation?
_ $50,000 per patient, per transplant
_ $150,000 per patient, per transplant
_ $250,000 per patient, per transplant

Question 4. After 20 years of type 1 diabetes, what is the estimated cumulative risk of albuminuria?
_ Around 5%
_ Around 16%
_ Around 30%
_ Around 50%

Question 5. Which of the following interventions for reducing the risk of progression of early diabetic neuropathy is best supported by evidence?
_ Tight blood pressure control
_ Protein restriction
_ Lipid lowering

Now let’s take a close look at the answers and statistics for each of these questions.

Answer 1. 170 million
Experts estimated that the number of cases of diabetes worldwide in the year 2000 among adults 20 years of age and older was about 171 million. Data on the prevalence of diabetes according to age and sex from a limited number of countries were extrapolated to all 191 World Health Organization member states and applied to United Nations’ population estimates for the year 2000 and the year 2030. The authors estimated that there will be 366 million people with diabetes in the year 2030.

Answer 2. About $3,500 per patient
In one study performed in Israel, the approximate annual direct cost of intensive insulin treatment was around $3,300 per patient, which is about three times more than that of standard insulin treatment. However, when other factors such as the reduction in complications are taken into account, such treatment appears to be cost-effective.

Answer 3. $150,000 per patient, per transplant In the United States, islet cell transplantation costs approximately $150,000 per patient, per transplant.

Answer 4. Around 30%
One study showed that the cumulative risk of proteinuria is similar in type 2 and type 1 diabetes—27% and 28%, respectively, after 20 years of diabetes. Another showed that around 30% of patients with type 1 diabetes had developed sustained microalbuminuria within 20 years.

Answer 5. Tight blood pressure control
Although there have been no systematic reviews that prove the benefit of any of these three interventions, there is, nevertheless, evidence to support a correlation between tight blood pressure control and a decreased rate of nephropathy progression. Importantly, the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study Group found that the control of blood pressure was a far more important intervention to prevent mortality than blood glucose control.

Five more questions about diabetes will be presented in part 2 of this two-part series as we continue to work to provide solid and timely information for diabetics and their families.

Diabetes Quiz and Statistics – Part 2: This is the second part of a quiz developed by PLoS Medical and Gavin Yamey and Virginia Barbour. The intent is to provide statistics in the form of a quiz that can enable diabetics and the ones they love to have a better understanding of the struggle they face on a daily basis.

Question 6. Which of the following best reflects the association between blood glucose level and mortality in people with type 2 diabetes?
_ There is a positive, although weak, association between increased glucose and increased mortality
_ There is a positive, and very strong, association between increased glucose and increased mortality
_ There is no association between glucose level and mortality

Question 7. For people with healed diabetic foot ulcers, what is the 5-year cumulative rate of ulcer recurrence?
_ 15%
_ 30%
_ 45%
_ 66%

Question 8. Which of the following interventions for preventing foot complications in people with diabetes is best supported by evidence?
_ Therapeutic footwear for preventing ulcer recurrence
_ Screening and referral to foot care clinics to prevent major amputations in those at high risk
_ Education programs for preventing ulcer recurrence, serious foot lesions, and major amputations

Question 9. What proportion of patients with type 1 diabetes have thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies?
_ About one in five
_ About one in ten
_ About one in 100

Question 10. Which of the following best reflects the evidence from randomized controlled trials on the optimum HbA1C for people with diabetes?
_ These trials found that development or progression of complications increases progressively as HbA1c increases above the nondiabetic range, and that there is a glycemic threshold above which there is a risk of complications
_ These trials found that development or progression of complications increases progressively as HbA1c increases above the nondiabetic range, but there is no lower glycemic threshold for the risk of complications

Let’s take a look at the answers.

Answer 6. There is a positive, although weak, association between increased glucose and increased mortality A systematic review of 27 studies examining the relationship between blood glucose level and mortality in type 2 diabetes found a positive but weak association between high glucose and increased mortality.

Answer 7. 66%
Although the incidence of new ulcers is relatively low—around 2% per year—the risk of recurrence for people with healed diabetic foot ulcers is very high: the 5-year cumulative rate of ulcer recurrence is 66%, and the rate of amputation is 12%.

Answer 8. Screening and referral to foot care clinics to prevent major amputations in those at high risk One randomized, controlled trial, involving 2002 patients
attending a general diabetes clinic, found that a diabetes screening program (involving referral to a foot clinic if high-risk features were present) reduced the risk of major amputation compared with usual care after two years.

Answer 9. About one in five
The Belgian Diabetes Registry indicated that the prevalence of thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies is 22% in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Answer 10. These trials found that development or progression of complications increases progressively as HbA1c increases above the nondiabetic range, but there is no lower glycemic threshold for the risk of complications.

Two large randomized, controlled trials in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes found that development or progression of complications increases progressively as HbA1c increases above the nondiabetic range. The data suggested the better the glycemic control, the lower the risk of complications.

We hope this information has been beneficial in questions that may not routinely come up in conversation about Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Anatomy of Obesity: As we age we understand that our bodies tend to gain weight much easier. We also find that it can be much harder to take that weight off. Is there a reason why this is true? If so, is there anything that can be done to reverse the effects?

Metabolism
This has typically been thought of as the culprit in weight gain. If a person gains weight it is often said that their metabolism has become slower with age. While this might be true it doesn’t appear to be the full story.

Introducing Leptin
The secretion of leptin is a function of various glands within the body. The role of insulin is to manage excess blood glucose by determining how to use the glucose (either stored fat or immediate fuel for energy). The role of leptin is to work to suppress hunger (leptin means thin). This may be that magic element that could help us all lose weight, but when we feed our appetite to excesses leptin does something drastic.

The Scars
According to ScienceDaily.com Leptin released a protein called SPARC. “It is thought that leptin, in an attempt to balance energy levels in the body, could trigger SPARC to limit the storage of fat. SPARC can do this by increasing the formation of scars in fat tissue, which can prevent fat being stored safely in the body.”

The researchers are from the University Hospital Aintree, the University of Warwick and Sweden. They discovered that diabetics have an increased level of SPARC, which essentially adds insult to injury.

The Cycle
Insulin is released to manage blood glucose. Leptin is released to suppress the appetite. SPARC is released to stop excess energy from storing as fat. The resulting effect is internal scarring in the fat cells that reduces the effective use of insulin and leptin and potentially the over production of both.

When fat is not stored safely in the body the individual becomes more prone to Type 2 diabetes. Professor John Wilding explains, “We tested fat tissue of patients at University Hospital Aintree and found that an increase in leptin also increases SPARC levels, which reduces the safe storage of fat through the development of abnormal tissue scarring. Scarring of fat tissue is known to increase as we gain weight and we found that this is exacerbated by leptin, as well as an increase in insulin, produced by the pancreas.”

Dr Katarina Kos was the lead author of the research, and she further explained, “Leptin is produced in fat cells to regulate appetite, but the body becomes resistant to the effects of appetite reduction in obese patients. Leptin continues to increase in response to overall fat mass and promotes scarring through increased SPARC levels. Once scarring occurs, the excess nutritional energy from fat cannot be taken up by fat cells and so remains in the blood and begins to gather around organs. As a result, fat cells of people classified as obese, may not fulfill their natural purpose to store fat.”

As a body becomes more obese it is less sensitive to Leptin. When Leptin has to work too hard it releases SPARC that may serve to make fat cells less receptive to accepting fat. This leaves excess blood glucose flowing through the veins, which signals the pancreas to send more insulin. The result of this tiered approach to normal body management is a body that is more susceptible to Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers recommend a reduced calorie diet, which has proven to lower levels of SPARC in the bloodstream. This may also lead to new medical advances in treating both obesity and diabetes.

Childhood Radiation Could Mean Diabetes in Adulthood: Every year we are learning more ways to reduce certain risks for diabetes, but there are the occasions where the standard rules don’t apply. New research indicates individuals who underwent radiation therapy for childhood cancer may be at substantially greater risk for diabetes within 30 years of their radiation therapy.

This research was recently presented through the Archives of Internal Medicine. According to ScienceDaily.com the traditional indicators for Type 2 diabetes may not present in these cases, “This correlation does not appear to be related to patients’ body mass index or physical inactivity.”

In other words for the individual who underwent radiation therapy as a child there may be a risk for diabetes that does not depend on weight or how often you exercise.

Three-fourths of all children who battle cancer and win will likely develop a chronic health problem later in life. According to ScienceDaily.com, “Survivors diagnosed with cancer before age 5 were 2.4 times more likely to report diabetes than those diagnosed in late adolescence (from ages 15 to 20).” Other chronic health issues include heart and kidney abnormalities.

The common belief is that radiation not only kills cancer cells, but damages vital organs that can ultimately lead to lifestyle altering diseases following the cumulative effects of long-term damage. Researchers are quoted as saying, “It is likely that this additional chronic disease in childhood cancer survivors, who frequently also sustain damage to the heart, kidneys and endocrine system, will lead to further morbidity and premature mortality.”

As scientists learn more about the link between childhood radiation and the diabetic link there will be a greater emphasis in long-term care. Researchers stated, “It is imperative that clinicians recognize this risk, screen for diabetes and prediabetes when appropriate and approach survivors with aggressive risk-reducing strategies.”

Scientists are determining and have determined risks in this medical category that can be reduced in order to aid in the greatest quality of life as well as life longevity.

It would make no sense to simply stand aside and declare this issue a proverbial ‘death sentence’. The truth is there are ways to manage this disease under this scenario and may simply be considered an unpleasant side effect that can be treated.

Scientists do suggest, “Further research is warranted to understand the pathways by which these two modes of radiation therapy (abdominal and total body) lead to diabetes.”

In some cases it is believed that the radiation experienced in childhood create an atmosphere where alterations in the function of vital organs create conditions needed for the development of chronic medical conditions later in life. It is also possible that the radiation alters the normal secretions of hormones the body uses to function normally. While the human body can adjust to a certain degree there may come a time when the ‘new’ normal is so out of sync that unexpected illnesses make themselves known.

There is a valid reason for doctors to question you about everything related to your medical history. It may seem a sizeable challenge to fill out all the paperwork and answer all the questions, but there are multiple side effects that can be present between different prescription drugs. There can also be side effects from previous procedures that may have some bearing on your medical conditions today. Take the time to help your health care provider understand your unique situation so they can take the best course of action to help you fully live life.

Sam Fuld: From One Diabetic To Another: Chicago Cubs fans are inspired by the passion they see in outfielder Sam Fuld. What many may not know is that Sam lives with Type 1 diabetes and has done so since 1991.

Family members say that Sam had two loves growing up – baseball and numbers. He was a premier statistician and could rattle off figures that surprised most.

Sam’s dad, Ken, indicates there were never discussions of his son playing in the majors, but Sam quietly entertained those thoughts. ESPNChicago indicates that when he was in high school, “Fuld stopped growing while his peers continued. So he honed in on the technical tenets that were controllable: speed, productive at-bats, and a tenacious in-the-dirt defensive style often popularized by smaller players.”

Sam said, “I’d buy baseball cards and find anyone under 5-10 who played in the outfield and say, ‘That’s my guy; there’s hope.’”

At the age of 12 he was playing against those who were 16 and his love for numbers only grew. So what was it that caused a math geek/baseball player to pursue the sport of baseball while living with diabetes? Wikipedia explains, “At the age of 12, he met pitcher Bill Gullickson, who also had diabetes, and talked to him for two minutes. “That was enough to inspire me,” Fuld said. “Any time I can talk to young diabetic kids, I look forward to that opportunity,” said Gullickson Now, five or six times a day he (Sam) opens a small black case, withdraws a glucometer, pricks a finger (“It’s pretty painless; I’ve got calloused fingers”), and checks his blood sugar. He then gives himself shots of insulin at breakfast and dinner times.”

A baseball legacy was handed from one diabetic to another in those two minutes. The seed of hope grew in Sam’s mind, but he wouldn’t leave numbers behind.

Sam finished his college degree before heading to the pro fields. In fact he plans to go back to school in the off-season to complete some post-graduate work. His sights are set on a career that includes math once his baseball days are through although from the looks of this season that may be a while.

ESPNChicago states Sam, “Has become a fan favorite for his diving, acrobatic defense (like his July 1 somersault throw to home plate, timed perfectly to force out the runner). In his September 2007 major league debut, Fuld earned the Chicago Tribune’s nod for the ‘play of the year’ after making a wall-crashing grab and rocket throw resulting in a double play, known to many Cubs fans as “the catch.””

As perhaps a side lesson, in the life experiences we provide for our children we should note that Sam’s passion for baseball started at the age of three when his grandmother broke out the Wiffle ball and bat. From that moment on Sam was hooked on baseball.

While Sam has been part of the Chicago Cubs organization for a few years it was really only been this year that fans have been able to see him shine. He’s spent most of his time in a variety of towns and minor league clubs. Sam’s impressed with his current company, “I have so much respect for players like (Cubs first baseman) Derrek Lee. They’re great players. But to meet them and actually play with them and contribute and help them win is kind of a surreal experience. It doesn’t seem too long ago that I was going to Fenway and idolizing these guys. I feel like a fan at times. I have to remind myself I’m a player.”

Senator Ted Kennedy’s Impact on Diabetes: Many mourned the recent passing of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. Not surprising is the gentle anguish expressed by those who saw first hand his dedication to the eradication of diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) said in a recent statement, “Senator Kennedy worked diligently to defend access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans. He was also committed to pursuing biomedical research as demonstrated by his support of stem cell research and the reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Programs. Last November, the Association honored Senator Kennedy with the prestigious Public Policy Leadership Award for his unparalleled contributions in the fight to stop diabetes.”

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) said in 2000 they, “Applaud Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) for his work on legislation … that provided the largest boost for juvenile diabetes research funding in history. The legislation increased federal juvenile diabetes research funding at the National Institutes of Health from an estimated $134 million in fiscal year 2000 to approximately $220 million in fiscal year 2001, an increase of well over 60 percent.” Kennedy’s commitment to parity in medical care was a hallmark of his senatorial tenure.

Consider these statements from Kennedy’s own website …

“In 1978, Senator Kennedy cosponsored the Civil Rights Commission Act Amendments of 1978, which expanded the jurisdiction of the Civil Rights Commission to protect people from discrimination on the basis of disability. Two years later, Kennedy cosponsored the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, which enforced the rights of people in government institutions such as the elderly, the disabled, the mental ill, and the incarcerated under the Constitution.”

“On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted into law. Introduced by Senator Kennedy and Senator Harkin, the ADA prohibited discrimination by a covered entity (employer, employment agency, labor organization, etc) against any qualified individual with a disability in job application procedures, hiring or discharge, compensation, advancement, training, etc. The law declared that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination by a public entity, and also required accessible rail transportation and telephone services for persons with speech or hearing impairments.”

“In response the alarming level and increase in the victimization and violence against people with disabilities, Congress passed the Crime Victims and Disabilities Awareness Act of 1998. Kennedy cosponsored the bill, which directed the Attorney General to conduct a study on the issue and to include specific details regarding the crimes against people with disabilities and to include them in the National Crime Victimization Survey, an annual publication. In 2004, Kennedy was an original cosponsor of the Assistive Technology Act, which supported states in an effort to sustain and strengthen the capacity to meet the assistive technology needs of individuals. In addition, it would focus funding on investments in technology that could benefit those living with disabilities.”

Kennedy once said, “What we have in the United States is not so much a health-care system as a disease-care system.” He consistently sought to change this system. He was instrumental in the development and expansion of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and no matter your view on his politics he is considered a leader in health care reform and equality for American’s who are differently abled.

On behalf of all who have diabetes – thanks Senator Kennedy.