Diabetes Camps

Many Diabetic Kid's feel isolated & lonely. Especially if they have very little interaction with other diabetics. Diabetes camp is an opportunity for them to meet other children just like themselves. Camp also teaches them valuable information about managing their disease. Many camps teach nutrition, how & when to test their blood properly, to give themselves injections or site changes. They also learn how food & excersize are linked with insulin. They learn independence in dealing with their disease. Some day your diabetic child will have to go into the big bad world by themselves. They will have to be able to take care of their own diabetes. Diabetes camp is a great way to give them the start they need to get ready for that time.

Besides it is just so much fun. I had a Diabetes Educator approach me about letting my daughter Ashley go to Diabetes Camp. This was about four years ago. I talked it over with Ashley & neither one of us were ready. I was not ready to leave her with strangers & trust them to manage her diabetes. Ashley did not feel comfortable being away from home for that amount of time. She knew she would be homesick. But, two years ago her attitude changed. She said she thought it would be fun to meet other kids like her. I had done some research on diabetes camps & was very impressed with what I was reading. I knew this would be a wonderful opportunity for her. So we decided the time had come for Ashley to take her first step of independence.

We sent a request to Gales Creek Diabetes Camp near Portland Oregon for more information. They sent us an applications with many forms that needed to be filled out. They needed personal & medical information on Ashley. There was a form for her doctor to fill out. They also had camperships available. This is like a scholorship. There are actually donors that contribute money to these camps to help people who can't afford to pay the $350 a week that it costs.

The camp is set up for Diabetic children. They have a wonderful staff. There is a doctor that is there at all times while camp is in session. There are also one or more Nutritionists & nurses. Many of the camp councelors are Diabetics. They go through specialized diabetes education training with doctor's & nurses. All councelors are over age 18 & many are former campers. They have set times for everyone to check their blood as well as councelors that do blood sugar tests in the middle of the night. All the food is healthy & carbs are counted.

They have activities set up to keep the kid's occupied at all times. They take hikes, play sports, swim every day, campfire activities, crafts, play games & all kinds of fun activities. Ashley loved it. She talked about her week at camp for months & couldn't wait until next year. She has now gone to two summers of camp. She talks about becoming a camp councelor.

I actually think Ashley would have done just fine at camp 4 years ago. I know that I am a very overprotective parent. I was one even before the diabetes but, after diagnosis I became so afraid to let her out of my site. But, they really do need that independence. It is so good for their self esteem & helps them to become self reliant. I definately would recomend Diabetes Camp for all Diabetic Children!!

To find a Diabetes camp in your area check out this page on my website Diabetes Camp's.

Many camps have a week long camp that is broke up into age groups. There are also some day camps available & family camps.

by Kimberly Advent - kimberlydadvent@aol.com

Every Diabetic needs to care for their feet. I don't care if you are Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetics. It is very important that you take the time to look at your feet. Here are some facts you should know about Diabetes & your feet:

• Diabetes damages the nerves. This is called Peripheral Neuropathy. Damage can occur to the foot and not be detected.
• Diabetes also affects the circulation. Poor Circulation can affect the ability of the body to heal when damage occurs.
• Those with diabetes are more prone to infection. The body processes that normally fight infection respond slower and often have trouble getting to infections due to the poor circulation.
• Diabetes can also cause stiff Joints.
• Other Diabetes complications that can also affect the foot are kidney disease (affects proteins that are involved in wound healing) and eye disease (can't see the foot to check for damage).

This Newsletter we will be reviewing Minimed's Paradigm 515/715 Insulin Pumps & the Paradigm link Glucometer.

The Paradigm 515/715 insulin pump is the product of 20 years of innovation. Its design emphasizes ease of use, optimizes safety, and ensures continuous, flexible insulin delivery. Small size and Lightweight: Model 515: 2 x 3 x 0.8 inches, 100 grams Model 715: 2 x 3.6 x 0.8 inches, 108 grams Four color choices: Clear, blue, smoke, and purple Exclusive optional* remote control The Bolus Wizard® Calculator: Patented bolus dosing calculator suggests a bolus dose based on personal settings, food intake and current blood glucose value Adjustable active insulin curves: Active insulin curves selectable between 2 and 8 hours in duration. Defaults to 6 hours, which most closely represents the published scientific data¹ Choice of two reservoir capacities: Model 515: 176 units Model 715: 300 or 176 units The Medtronic CareLink® Therapy Management System for Diabetes: This Web-based system transforms data from your Paradigm insulin pump, BG meters,** and logbook into meaningful treatment information that you and your healthcare professional can use to better manage your diabetes The ParadigmPAL™ 2.0† Software: Review, modify and/or back up settings for the Paradigm insulin pump using your computer‡ On-board data management: Your insulin pump will show statistics of blood glucose, insulin delivered, bolus details and the number of boluses delivered, viewable by individual day or as an average of up to 31 days The only wireless connection to a monitor, uses RF technology: The Paradigm Link® Blood Glucose Monitor, powered by BD Logic™ Technology The Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor, Powered by BD Logic™ Technology, is the first monitor available for wireless communication (using RF technology) with an insulin pump. It’s also one of the most advanced, easy-to-use meters for blood glucose testing. The Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor’s combined features help ensure less pain for greater comfort and innovative convenience for every test — every day. The Paradigm insulin pump communicates with the Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor using radio frequency (RF) technology, which enables communication through clothing and around obstacles. This enables the Paradigm insulin pump to be small and discrete on your body.

Stem cell bill yields debate Dave Smith news editor The Decaturian, Millikin University

If an Illinois House bill currently on the floor passes, Illinois researchers hoping to work with human stem cells may not have to travel out-of-state to get public funding.

House bill 3185, which was recently introduced in the Illinois State Senate by Comptroller Dan Hynes, proposes public funding of embryonic stem cell research, a controversial though potentially beneficial practice opposed by pro-life advocates and praised by hopeful parents and patients of several diseases and conditions, including type 1 diabetes.

Embryonic stem cells are often harvested from embryos left over from in vitro fertilization procedures, a Feb. 9 MSNBC article explained. The stem cells are some of the first ones created in a newly fertilized egg and have the ability to grow into any type of cell— whether that be a heart, liver, or other organ. Theoretically, by adding or removing certain proteins from their environment, the cells should react and become desired replacements.

Embryonic stem cell research opponents argue that the removal of the stem cells from an already-fertilized egg violates pro-life ethical values since the procedure kills the embryo itself.

"Scientifically, medically, ethically, morally we know that life begins at conception, and so these embryos are being dissected. They are human beings that are being experimented on," Jill Stanek, pro- life coordinator for Concerned Women for America of Illinois, said in the March 2 edition of the Herald and Review (H&R).

Instead, such opponents believe other stem cells, such as those found in the blood of the umbilical cord and in adult humans should be researched.

"[The U.S.] Congress should superfund adult stem cell research, making embryonic stem cell research unattractive to scientists," bioethics consultant for the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission C. Ben Mitchell said in a Dec. 1, 2004 article in the Southern Baptist Press.

"Killing embryos for their stem cells cannot be justified ethically," Mitchell said. "We favor the advancement of science and the development of therapies, but subjecting human embryos to vivisection is not an advance, but a digression of science into biotechnological cannibalism."

Other forms of stem cells, however, are not as effective in creating new cells, many scientists and embryonic stem cell research advocates argue.

"Human embryonic stem cells are unique because of their demonstrated ability to grow, multiply and differentiate," Joslin Diabetes Center President C. Ronald Kahn wrote in a recent statement. "To differentiate means to develop the specific functions of a specialized cell of the body, like a liver cell, brain cell or beta cell that makes insulin."

The bill has caused a large debate in the state capital, where legislators and citizens on both sides of the political spectrum are fighting for support. According to the H&R, House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego), "addressed [a crowd in Springfield], urging them to share their stories with local lawmakers."

"[Skeptical lawmakers] don't go through the everyday experience we do," Cross said in the H&R. "You need to let them know what it's like to prick your finger 10 times a day." Cross' 11-year old daughter has juvenile diabetes.

Currently, California is the only state that federally funds embryonic stem cell research. If the bill passes, Illinoisans will vote on the issue in November of 2006.

Stem Cell updates come from The Stem Cell Information Newsletter run by Steve Meyer.

Cheesecake - sugarfree
Yield: 12 Servings

Nonstick Cooking Spray
1/4 c Graham-Cracker Crumbs
1 pk 8oz Light Cream Cheese Neufchatel
1 pk 15oz Reduced-Fat Cottage Cheese
3/4 c Unsweetened applesauce
2 Eggs
1 1/2 t Vanilla Extract
1/2 t Grated Lemon Peel
1/4 t Salt
1 pt Strawberries

Cover outside of 8x3" springform pan with foil (to prevent mixture from leaking during baking). Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray, then evenly sprinkle graham-cracker crumbs in bottom; set aside.

Preheat oven to 350F. In food processor with knife blade attached, blend light cream cheese and next 7 ingredients until smooth.

Carefully pour cheese mixture over crumbs in pan. Bake 45 minutes. With oven door closed, turn off oven; let cheesecake remain in oven 30 minutes. remove; cool in pan on wire rack 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate cheesecake at least 4 hours or until well chilled.

To serve, carefully remove cheesecake from pan. Slice strawberries; arrange on top of cheesecake.

Source Pastry Wiz

Links to Web sites for Kids!! If there is anything special you would like to see in this area don't hesitate to write to Kimberly.

Interested in finding a Diabetic Pen Pal? Kid's art & much more. Check out JDRF Kid's Online

Want to support Juvenile Diabetes & wear a great new bracelet? Go to this page Children with Diabetes Bracelets

The Pump Girls are dedicated to inspiring Diabetics everywhere with a message of hope, understanding and caring... Visit The Pump Girls.

In this area you will find tips that should be helpful to Diabetics. If you have any good tips or tricks please send them to me Kimberly.

Traveling Tips for Diabetics:
First and Foremost always make sure that you pack enough supplies. You should put together a kit of things you will need. For example if you are a type 1 who injects insulin you might want to get a makeup bag or first aid bag to put some of your supplies in. Your syringes, extra test strips, keto strips, alcohol pads, cotton balls & what ever else you need. You should have a thermo bag of some sort for your insulin. You want to keep your insulin cold without freezing it. If you are using an insulin pump make sure you have extra reservoirs, infusion sets, batteries, an extra injector & whatever else you need. Make sure you pack double what you would regularly use. I think an extra glucometer is a good idea. Just in case something happens to your original. We always carry an extra glucometer in the car along with snacks & extra pump supplies. Type 2 diabetics should make sure they have enough of their oral medication to last double what they need. You don't want to be caught in a strange place looking for a pharmacy. If you are flying I would make sure to label your bag clearly that it is Medical Supplies.

If you are flying here is recomendations made by the ADA:
Notify the screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened:

• Insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers, and preloaded syringes) that are clearly identified and labeled.
• Unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication.
• Lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter-testing solutions.
• Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle).
• Glucagon emergency kit clearly identified and labeled.
• Urine ketone test strips.
• Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.

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Kimberly Advent
Ashley's Diabetes Information Center
kimberly@elviradarknight.com
Copyright 2005 Kimberly Advent