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Sugar Surfing comes to Minneapolis

A workshop with Dr. Stephen Ponder

Dr. Stephen Ponder is a pediatric endocrinologist and certified diabetes educator with Scott and White Healthcare in Temple, Tx. He’s lived with type 1 diabetes since March of 1966 and has been a pioneering force in diabetes telehealth and remote care for many years.

Dr. Stephen Ponder

One of his latest projects is Sugar Surfing, a modern approach to managing diabetes.

Sugar Surfing Book

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

The book was recently published and has been well received so far. Local PWD and social media superstar Allison Nimlos has worked with Dr. Ponder to bring his Sugar Surfing workshop to Minneapolis in September!

I just registered (cost is $10), and want to spread the word. I’d love to welcome Dr. Ponder to Minneapolis with a packed house. Can you come? It’s happening on September 24th, 2016, 12:30 pm (workshop runs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Open Book.

If you’re nearby and interested, please register and share! Space is limited, so don’t delay!

Register Now!

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The Faces of Diabetes

Breaking stereotypes with positive attitudes

The Faces of Diabetes Logo

I love “The Faces of Diabetes” and the great work they’re doing. If you’re not already familiar, The Faces of Diabetes is a nonprofit dedicated to changing the way people see diabetes. Founded by Edward Fielder, the idea started from his senior thesis at Troy University where he mixed the heavy subject matter of diabetes and the humor often found in the situations we end up in. The website and associated social media channels feature user-submitted images along with short stories about their lives with diabetes.  (more…)

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Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program

Putting Beneficiaries' Lives at Risk

A Medicare program designed to save money and make things easier for their beneficiaries with diabetes actually appears to have increased costs, increased hospitalizations, and even increased deaths.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claims the program for diabetes testing supplies poses no health threat. However, a peer-reviewed journal article recently published in Diabetes Care (fee for full article access) shows otherwise (press release (3/2016)), (press release (12/2015, includes a free link to the white paper the published article is based on)).

Medicare CBP What

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Powerful Perspectives on Diabetes Complications

from Dr. Jeremy Pettus & Dr. Steve Edelman

I was really moved by a recent newsletter from Dr. Steve Edelman & Dr. Jeremy Pettus about diabetes complications and asked for permission to share their thoughts with you.

We Are One Diabetes Logo

When Diabetes Gets Complicated

And what could be more complicated than complications? Yes, that’s right. It’s not a fun or funny topic.  In fact, it’s the opposite of those things, but it is something that we do need to talk about.  What we want to discuss is not how to prevent them, or the rates of complications, or other “medical” things, but rather the struggle we all face when confronting them.  Steve and I have different perspectives on this, so I thought it would be relevant to talk about this from our different viewpoints – myself having never really developed complications (knock on wood), and Steve having a few that he can talk about. This is really a result of when we were diagnosed and how much things have changed relatively quickly.  We hope that you will all find something you can relate to in our stories that represent the history of diabetes over the last several decades. (more…)

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Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms

(and a game show!) with Kerri, Scott & Bennet

I like podcasts. I listen to them as often as I can and I feel blessed that there are so many great diabetes podcasts to choose from.

I actually have a diabetes podcast to thank for bringing a very important person into my life. George Simmons would not have found the diabetes online community when he did if it weren’t for Christel’s Diabetic Feed podcast. My world would be much different if G-Money hadn’t found that podcast.

 

Picture of Kerri, Christel, Scott, and George on Scott's bookshelf

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Spare A Rose, Save A Child

Brad made a quick video with everything you need to know about Spare A Rose in less than one minute.

If you’re ready to jump right to it and donate, that’s great! Head to http://SpareARose.org/give/

Maybe money is tight right now? No worries, I understand. We understand. Spreading the word about this campaign is also very helpful, doesn’t cost a thing, and is very much appreciated.

If you really want to dig into the nitty-gritty details or do something extra great (like get your workplace involved), visit SpareARose.org.

Thank you!

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Huge thanks to Brad Slaight (Meter Boy of Diabetes Hero Squad) for making this wonderful video!