Slow and Steady

I wanted to share a snippet from an email I received recently.  It was in response to our video, ‘Six Month’s Worth of Used Needles’.  

NEED LETTER

This is really very touching!  I know many of you have likely passed our site on to a friend or family member and we are grateful for that.  Please remember what the site is trying to accomplish. We are raising donations that fund research to find a cure.  But also awareness, which I believe will be vital to Arden living the most normal life possible.  That is why we persist and why we appreciate your support.

Recently I spoke at a local MOMS Club(r) meeting about Type I diabetes.  I stressed how important it is that we educate our children and ourselves about the struggles of others.  This isn’t a new found philosophy for me.  That is, I didn’t adopt that idea after Arden was diagnosed.  I’ve always felt very strongly that understanding is key.  And I believe strongly that the more people that understand Type, the better chance Arden has.  

A police officer unknowingly detains a suspected drunk. The “drunk” is actually a diabetic heading for a seizure and unable to communicate.  You read that story a few times a year.  A diabetic man was ejected from a commuter train a few months ago (thought to be drunk) and almost died in the parking lot of a rural station.  You know what saved him?  A person with knowledge of how a diabetic acts when their blood sugar is low.  A person like you.  Because you read this and don’t just delete it, you know.  You will, in a very organic way pass on what you learn here.  To your children, spouse, neighbor or co-worker.  Perhaps one day they will save Arden’s life in a parking lot...

If someone that this blog touches is in a room with Arden when she is checking her blood sugar, injecting herself or maybe acting strange from a low.  And because of what they’ve learned here don’t seem scared, shocked or horrified.  If they don’t just act as if nothing odd has happened but truly aren’t effected.  That understanding, that non-reaction will do more for Arden’s self-esteem then you may ever know.   

So, is it difficult to forward an email to someone you aren’t sure will welcome it?  I guess.  I know I once thought that.  But I did it.  One day I just sent this to everyone and it didn’t kill one person.  It may have actually saved someone, or one day will.

Education is key...  Transparency is the teacher...  And you are the conduit...