Something’s wrong with Ricky
Ricky was feeling icky. And he was very, very thirsty.
“Mommy, I need a drink of water!”
“What, again?” his mommy asked. “You just had a big drink not very long ago.
“But, Mommy, I’m really, really thirsty! And I don’t feel very good.”
Mommy put her cool hand on Ricky’s forehead. “You don’t have a temperature,” she said. “At least you don’t feel hot!
Here, let’s go get you some ice water. Maybe you’ve been playing too hard.”
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Zebbie looked up at her mom with a grin, “I’ll be that someone! I’ll learn what I can to help them be healthy and do what they should, and I will feel great for being so good!” So Zebbie decided to learn what she must to help all her friends to do just what they should do to be healthy and strong and be able to play all the day long.
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We’re stepping out on a limb and tattling on the medical professionals who have made us shake our heads in disbelief, catch our breaths and roll our eyes from the things they have told or not told their patients - documented testimonials from patients.
Don’t get us wrong, we admire these folks, however, our world has become all about the money. Doctor’s appointments are ten minutes or less. It’s difficult to get questions and concerns addressed or detailed explanations provided, much less education when one eye has to be on the clock.
Whether patients are seasoned diabetics with sudden challenges or newly diagnosed, they need education, updating, and support. Over 60% get no diabetes education whatsoever. They live in fear.
Sharing the horror stories and then counterbalancing them with what to do if they happen to you takes away that fear and provides hope.
About the Author ...
When Sondra said her wedding vows in December of 1961 she had no idea what the true meaning of “in sickness and in health” would mean. Eight months later, her husband was diagnosed with Type one diabetes. For the first five months it was relatively smooth sailing, then he ended up in the hospital 21 days with nephritis.
With kidney disease as well as diabetes hanging over their heads, they continued to follow the dietician’s advice that, back those many years ago, was basically, “Don’t eat sugar.”
The past sixty years have been a roller coaster ride, to use an overused phrase. She jokes that she has a GED in endocrinology. Diabetes is not a death sentence, but it’s a life sentence on death row. If you are not educated.
Co-founding Diabetes Support Services with Al in 2007 offered the opportunity to learn from the medical professionals from the Salem community who donated their time to educate the folks who attended their monthly support group meetings. Seeking more education, she was certified to teach Stanford University’s Living Well with Diabetes and Living Well with a Chronic Condition. And she continues research and extensive study.
In addition to her books, she has written over 50 PowerPoint programs that are presented in weekly diabetes education classes. These programs are researched and updated on a regular basis to provide fresh, accurate, and interesting information interspersed with humor and lightheartedness. A diagnosis of diabetes is not funny, but a sense of humor helps.
Sharing how Al has avoided the complications of diabetes with the “other foot on a banana peel” syndrome is an opportunity to share what she has learned to replace the fear for those living with a diagnosis of diabetes with hope.
They have done it - you can as well!
Sondra was inducted into the Who's Who in America in 2023. She will speak at the Future of Diabetes Care in Houston in July. Her articles are published in Skirt magazine.
The Backstory
Diabetes Support Services, a 501c3 non-profit co-founded with Sondra’s husband, Al, in 2007 to support and educate those with diabetes and their families.
It began with a phone call in April of 2007. A friend asked Sondra to drive her to four diabetes education classes at Salem Hospital. She decided to request going as a caregiver as they had received no instructions since Al’s diagnosis 45 years earlier. A class member asked if there were ongoing education opportunities after those classes, and the answer was, “NO!” And God whispered her name.
Seeking an icon, the name “My Pal Sticky” was chosen with a porcupine mascot. A friend had joked with Al that he should feed a porcupine insulin and sleep with him so he didn’t have to take all those shots.
Targeting parents of kids with diabetes, they were shocked when 150 people, mostly with gray hair, showed up at their first meeting October 25, 2007. Acknowledging their mistake, they renamed the group to encourage adults to attend.
And attend they did. For the past 15 years, over 30,000 people with diabetes and their families have attended their free support group meetings, free health fairs, free classes, free events and one-on-one consultations.
Did we mention - all free?
Our hard (and caring) work was honored with the 2022 Best in Salem award in the health and medical category and in the 2023 Hall of Fame Best in Salem in the health and medical category.