If Only They Would Listen

As far as struggles go, some are more obvious than others. Today we ran into a situation that,if you have a family member with a disability, can be very frustrating.

Not everyone lives in or close to a city. And with a child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy you can be sure there will be a lot of healthcare professionals involved with your family. In our case we tend to go to the Big City every 2-3 months.

Our Neurology team is very good at coordinating their part to cut down on trips. However there are so many other professionals such as pediatrician,bone scan, cardiology, and more. Not to mention the trips to get orthotics and physio.. these all on top of regular physical health visits.

The most recent frustration we experienced was with the pediatrician were to to see. Our child recieved a sleep test 2 years ago. They had called and asked us to come back in for results. Exhausted with running back and fourth I requested the results over the phone. They refused. I called the sleep lab and the results were given to me as he was fine..no concern. 1 year later a letter was sent for another sleep test more in depth. We went in and they called back to get us to come in for results again. Due to bad weather that appointment had to be cancelled. I again asked for the results via phone or telehealth. They refused.

Recently they called again to book the appointment. At this point I requested again for a phone call or teleconference to avoid another trip to the city(3 hours of driving one way) They refused saying they did not have the technology. At this point I decided that if they still need us to come in it must be more serious so I agreed.

My husband had to close his business for the day. My son had to take the day off school. I was too sick to help. Gas,food and snowy weather to contend with but they got there. My hisband just called and said the appointment was 7 minutes long. They told him all was well and there was no concerns.

For those of you who have walked in these shoes this story will be all to familiar to you. I recently read an article where the author felt like a "file Number" instead of a person recieving care. This can only change if more people tell their stories. It's not easy trying to keep up with everything we need to do to keep our loved ones healthy as possible. If communication between professionals and families could help solve this then why isn't it happening.

For me....I am glad my son is ok....but I am completely frustrated at the taxing situation we ge put into for the thoughtless actions of others.

Accessibility is NOT Just a Physical Thing!

There Is More to World Accessibility than what you SEE!(Diabetic Resources at bottom)


I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and now I am trying to get used to the lifestyle I HAVE to become accustomed to. This I have discovered is no EASY plight! Though I have been writing mostly about the physical restrictions of the world and the places that have been so incredibly aware of how to make it easier, I now realize that finding places that observe a diabetic diet is proving to be a little more difficult than i thought.

I don't profess to know anything about the diabetic diet and I am certainly NOT an expert by any means but I CAN tell you that this is the beginning of my journey to better health. Last week when I was told the news I immediately sprung into action. I was ready to change EVERYTHING in that moment...The Doc says no pills until we see if I can control it with diet..Sure...YA ...I thought "I can do that!"

Little did I know that even in the first week it would become MORE and MORE difficult to keep up that enthusiasm. Especially when it came to eating out. Some might say "so don't eat out!" . In our busy world it is just the way it is.. Convenience sells. And yes....I am one of those people that indulges in convenience.

Before diagnosed I ate out A LOT! Lunch,supper and coffee in the AM(with the occasional breakfast sandwich) Just writing about it makes my stomach gurgle. In one week I have discovered that many places are not super accommodating to the diet I need. I have also discovered that it takes me a lot more time to grocery shop.. Plan, plan, plan. I swore off dieting just so I didn't HAVE to plan out meals, count calories, and yes- the dreaded exercise advise. I built my comfort zone around doing what I wanted to do.

So I am ranting now because convenience should suit EVERYONE. Type 2 Diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent in society and there are a lot of options out there but you have to read labels carefully, search menus for the hidden health food, search the net for the recipes that will actually not make you feel terrible, watch sugar,starch,fat, cholesterol etc.

The solution:

• Why doesn't every restaurant put a section on the menu for the "Life Sensitive."
• Why doesn't the grocery stores create a corner as well to let folks like me find the food I need that won't make me feel gross, sick or crank up the sugar content in my blood.

Lucky for me there is a ton of information out there to help me decide what I need each day. I certainly took a while to find something but I did. The local Dietitian was quite helpful as well. I find as a new "Life Sensitive" individual, things confuse me everyday. Trying to figure out what I can and can't have, what I should do to keep track, How much or how little I should eat.

Don't shoot me for my view. I know many reading this will think....so....it takes time.....it will come....get over it.. but the world caters to the general population of regular diets, regular physical abilities, regular mental ability and statuses. That's the point. Convenience should suit EVERYBODY!In some way or another we could all be considered "Life Sensitive" in a physical, mental,spiritual or health type of way

So follow my Blog if you consider yourself "Life Sensitive" too.

Here are some links I have come across to help me

Canada's Food Guide:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php

Canadian Diabetic Association:
http://www.diabetes.ca/

Public Health Agency of Canada:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/diabetes-diabete/index-eng.php

Alberta Diabetes Foundation:
http://www.afdr.ab.ca/about-diabetes

Kraft Canada Diabetic Foods Recipes:
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/healthy-living-ideas/diabetes/diabetescentre.aspx

Canadian Diabetic Care Guide:

 http://www.diabetescareguide.com/en/index.html

Eating Plan For Type 2 Diabetes:
http://www.diabetescareguide.com/en/index.html

Eating Out Guide
http://www.diabetes.ca/files/EatingEnglish.pdf

 Just a few resources to help get started.