I love sunrises and sunsets. I marvel at their spectacular array of colors, brilliance, and beauty. They add joy to my morning and evening commutes to and from work; as well as to my time sitting in a deer stand during hunting season. I also find promise and reassurance in their presence. Each sunrise and sunset occurs despite my problems, your problems, our problems, and the world’s problems. Call it spiritual, a random act; or just a thing of beauty, but they occur and there is nothing we can do to prevent them.
I see World Diabetes Day (WDD) as an event that annually brings promise and reassurance to the ever increasing population of our “Diabetes Nation” (a/k/a the global diabetes community). Established in 1991, World Diabetes Day is designed to keep diabetes in the international spotlight by increasing diabetes awareness, education, prevention, etc. While this mission is employed through out the year, WDD is celebrated on November 14th, which is the day where these efforts are magnified.
The WDD theme for 2009 – 2013 is Diabetes Education and Prevention. As a type 2 diabetic, with the knowledge of the hardships and challenges we face, I believe it is imperative that we educate and prevent others from joining our numbers, as well as helping others reduce their risks for future complications.
Raising awareness should not be that hard. News reports continue to supply us with countless stories of the type 2 population increasing in various age groups. More and more people are aware of what is bad for them, and raises their risk for type 2 diabetes. The real challenge is getting them to reduce their risk and prevent the onset of diabetes.
The battle will not be easy, and it will be controversial. Not only will we be seeking to change the public’s opinion regarding un-healthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and wellness care, we will also battling corporate giants (and their diabetes supporters) that sell their un-healthy fare under the guise of raising funds for “Diabetes.” The most recent example is Wendy’s Frosty Fundraiser for Junior Diabetes Research Foundation.
Do you have what it takes to meet this challenge? Are you willing to talk to others about their bulging waist lines, pudgy faces, and / or swollen hips? November 14, as well as the next five years, is our time to “shine”. It is our time to confront this threat head-on. Let’s not be timid in discussing matters of health and wellness. Let’s not be timid in confronting the commercial hypocrisy where merchants that peddle un-healthy products base their charitable contributions on the sales of those products. Step forward and “shine” for WDD.
Travis Grubbs, a professional home inspector and a city Building and Zoning Inspector, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in May of 2006. Travis shares his thoughts and experiences in dLife his column, Turn the Page, as a middle-aged male that had to change his life in order to address his diabetes.
I see World Diabetes Day (WDD) as an event that annually brings promise and reassurance to the ever increasing population of our “Diabetes Nation” (a/k/a the global diabetes community). Established in 1991, World Diabetes Day is designed to keep diabetes in the international spotlight by increasing diabetes awareness, education, prevention, etc. While this mission is employed through out the year, WDD is celebrated on November 14th, which is the day where these efforts are magnified.
The WDD theme for 2009 – 2013 is Diabetes Education and Prevention. As a type 2 diabetic, with the knowledge of the hardships and challenges we face, I believe it is imperative that we educate and prevent others from joining our numbers, as well as helping others reduce their risks for future complications.
Raising awareness should not be that hard. News reports continue to supply us with countless stories of the type 2 population increasing in various age groups. More and more people are aware of what is bad for them, and raises their risk for type 2 diabetes. The real challenge is getting them to reduce their risk and prevent the onset of diabetes.
The battle will not be easy, and it will be controversial. Not only will we be seeking to change the public’s opinion regarding un-healthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and wellness care, we will also battling corporate giants (and their diabetes supporters) that sell their un-healthy fare under the guise of raising funds for “Diabetes.” The most recent example is Wendy’s Frosty Fundraiser for Junior Diabetes Research Foundation.
Do you have what it takes to meet this challenge? Are you willing to talk to others about their bulging waist lines, pudgy faces, and / or swollen hips? November 14, as well as the next five years, is our time to “shine”. It is our time to confront this threat head-on. Let’s not be timid in discussing matters of health and wellness. Let’s not be timid in confronting the commercial hypocrisy where merchants that peddle un-healthy products base their charitable contributions on the sales of those products. Step forward and “shine” for WDD.
Travis Grubbs, a professional home inspector and a city Building and Zoning Inspector, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in May of 2006. Travis shares his thoughts and experiences in dLife his column, Turn the Page, as a middle-aged male that had to change his life in order to address his diabetes.
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