Apr. 15, 2009 - Diabetes Demonstration
When my brother J.J. was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in December of 2007 it started our family on a journey. A journey to learn as much as we could about the disease so we could take care of my brother in the best way possible.
With all this knowledge about the disease it has made my mom passionate about educating others about what we go through every day. So when I signed up to do a demonstration at our local 4-H club she had a perfect topic for me. Type 1 Diabetes! I was a little reluctant at first. I had a topic already in mind, osmosis. But because I knew more about Type 1 than I did osmosis, I eventually decided to change my topic.
I studied and got my topics and props already. I practiced the demonstration several times but no matter how much I prepared I still was nervous!
When it was time to go we got into our suburban and drove to the meeting. We got through the meeting and then it was time for the demonstrations! I was hoping that I was going to be last but off course I was first (that always happens 
)
I walked up to the front and set out all of my props and started talking. You wouldn't believe how I was shaking! That is one thing I hate about public speaking! First I told the audience a little bit what the disease, and how there were two types of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. Then I jumped into causes and how we don't really don't know what the cause is. Next I explained the increasing rate. (That was my favorite part because I could see a mom's face start to turn sad) After that I explained the symptoms and how you couldn't get diagnosed unless you had a blood test. I told them that J.J. was going to get his blood checked and if I could have a couple volunteers to get their blood checked. No one volunteered. Then I started talking about how my brother gets his fingers poked 8-10 times a day and he was only 6! Then there was some takers.....a brother and sister volunteered. I checked the brother and Mom checked the sister. The funny thing was they had the exact same reading from 2 different meters!
After the volunteers sat down Mom told me that J.J. was 69! So I explained told the audience what the number was and that he was low and when he was low he gets sugar. After that I explained why we need to give him insulin and how we administer it.....I showed them a pump and syringe.
Then I could put my things away and sit down! I was so glad that it was over! But I was also glad that went through with the demonstration and did it. It was a great experience and hopefully a little bit more people know more about this dreadful disease!
Thanks for reading!
~Jess
Comments
Apr. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by july96
Hi! I wouldn't like doing that either, but I'm sure you did a good job. Have a great week!
Amber
patchworkangel.blogspot.com
Apr. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by alizona
That sounds like a good demonstration! My mom has type 1 diabetes also, however, I don't know as much about it as I should. Well, I know the basics, but other than that I hope there's never an emergency where I need to know something I don't! You know, a lot of time I just forget about it because it's just normal to me. But one time we were talking about what if something happened and she couldn't get insulin. The thought scares me! I even started crying about it. If that ever happens it will be a huge test of faith for me. But I hope it never does.
You asked me what sort of stuff I've written. Oh, I hate it whenever people ask me that! :o) So hard to answer. I like writing modern-day fiction -- a family setting, you know. None of this fantasy stuff (I suppose that's because I haven't read fantasy so I would have no clue what I was doing! LOL), but I am working on a story that's kind of fan fiction for the Kingdom Series by Chuck Black. Ever heard of them?
Edited by alizona on Apr. 15, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Apr. 16, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by july96
You are tagged! Come and see!
Amber
patchworkangel.blogspot.com
Apr. 16, 2009 - Hi!
Posted by BookwormMN
Wow, I probably wouldn't be able to do that! I don't really mind being in front of people, but I don't think I could do a demonstration! Looks like you did a good job, I think you chose a good topic too!
Our little chicks are really fun!! We now have 11 chickens - hopefully just one rooster and 10 hens!
God Bless,
Amber
Apr. 17, 2009 - Hello!
Posted by swordwieldingmaiden
Thanks for your comment. What inspired the poem? Well, I was sitting in a fold-out chair in the woods next to a campfire. As I watched the flames flickering in the dark I simply began to think about how much fire and life were similar. Little things like that happen to me! :)
That's cool that you did a presentation!
Love in Christ,
WarriorMaiden
Apr. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by alizona
Haha, actually, I usually don't practice that long. That was a once-in-a-long-while occurrence. But it was fun!
Oh, no, don't feel bad that you asked me that. I just have a hard time describing my writing, that's all. :o)
Okay, the Kingdom Series. They're very good! I love the setting -- they're allegorical, going through the Bible, but they're kind of set in medieval times. There's dragons and all kinds of made-up animals, but no magic or wizardry or anything. :o) I have to admit, the writing isn't the greatest for quality, but I really like the setting. There's the King (represents God the Father) and the Prince (represents Jesus) who live in the Kingdom Across the Sea. Arrethtrae represents Earth, and the city of Chessington represents the nation of Israel, etc. I don't know if you're into sword fighting and so on, but if you are, I highly recommend these books!
Edited by alizona on Apr. 17, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Apr. 18, 2009 - Hello. ^_^
Posted by Akuchi
Lovely post. Very descriptive.
Thank you for the comment. It takes me forever to reply back. I love to hear what other people are reading, too. Do you read a lot?
-- Kayla.
Apr. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by REBELXTi
Hey!!
My goodness, I would never be able to do that!! Public speaking is one of the worst things in the world for me.
Great job though!! Its a really important thing to talk about. You don't look nervous in the pics!! Its soo weird because you look just like my friend Yona ;)
Lula
♪♫♪♫♪♫♪
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Apr. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by alizona
No, I haven't read the "Dragons in our Midst" series. What are they about? Oh, no, the book I'm writing isn't going to be published in the series, I'm just writing it for fun. I'm not that good. :o) But you know, it'd be neat if they'd have a contest for a new Kingdom Book written by kids! Hmmm...
Apr. 19, 2009 - Nihao again.
Posted by Akuchi
Ahh, romance. The genre that makes the world go 'round.
A few good books? A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini was pretty good, it had romance since that's what kinda, sorta moved the plot but it was good. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold has a little romance in it, but not that much. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom has zero romance but it's a nice book for a good cry or inspiration. If you haven't already, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is one of the top ten on my recommendation list.
You might want to check Wik to make sure they're of your taste, but I thought the books mentioned were pretty good.
Do you have any recommendations? If so, I'd love to hear 'em.
-- Kayla.
Apr. 20, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by purplepeppermint
I like your blog. Can I add you to my friends list and have your button? I can get your button from the page source.
Are you in 4-H? I am; this is my 6th year. :) I'm 14, and I started when I was 9. Anyway, have a great day!
Ellyn
