Comments on: And Where Was the ADA… ? http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html A gold mine of straight talk and encouragement for people living with diabetes Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:57:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Vicki http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38053 Vicki Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:26:00 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38053 I need to clarify that I am, in fact, a type 1 diabetic, (LADA, like Amy), so my comment wasn't coming out of confusion about the difference between type 1 and 2 diabetes. And I'm not saying that type 1 diabetics WILL NOT die if they don't have access to insulin. Just that it wouldn't happen immediately. I guess I wasn't too clear about that. I need to clarify that I am, in fact, a type 1 diabetic, (LADA, like Amy), so my comment wasn’t coming out of confusion about the difference between type 1 and 2 diabetes. And I’m not saying that type 1 diabetics WILL NOT die if they don’t have access to insulin. Just that it wouldn’t happen immediately. I guess I wasn’t too clear about that.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38052 Lauren Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:14:39 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38052 Ah, a fellow night owl! Thanks for your perspective, Adam. Ah, a fellow night owl! Thanks for your perspective, Adam.

]]> By: Adam Greene http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38051 Adam Greene Wed, 13 Jun 2007 06:45:36 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38051 Hi Lauren, I have to disagree with you about the ADA's role in cases like these. Lets step away from the details of this case, because I honestly don't any of the decisions that were made behind closed doors. The ADA's legal consul's first goal is to provide legal advice and to help you out where needed; it isn't necessarily to draw attention to your case. Sometimes publicity is exactly what is warranted, but they should *not* go on a publicity offense on their own accord. I personally would not be comfortable asking legal advice from anyone if they were going to make me a poster boy for their cause without my express consent. That doesn't mean the ADA is always silent in these matters; quite the contrary. A very good summary was published in the NYTimes this past december: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/26/health/26workplace.html?ex=1181880000&en=6b88fd8aa17f1bf0&ei=5070" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/26/health/26workplace.html?ex=1181880000&en=6b88fd8aa17f1bf0&ei=5070</a> (reg. required) The ADA is building up a very good advocacy resource at: <a target="_blank" href="http://advocacy.diabetes.org" rel="nofollow">http://advocacy.diabetes.org</a> of which the legal and discrimination component plays an important role. I'm *very* glad Amy covered this situation in her blog and that it seemed to be so helpful! I just think blogs like DiabetesMine and the ADA's legal consul can play different roles, both are needed, and that is how it should be. Lauren, I should point out that I am more than slightly biased in this matter because Michael Greene is my father ;) That isn't to say I always agree with him, but I know he is very passionate about legal advocacy and has been heavily involved with the ADA for over two decades. His commitment is absolute. And more heartening than that is that the Legal Consul's office is not just him; it is a large group and they are *dedicated*. good debate!!! Warm Regards, Adam Hi Lauren,
I have to disagree with you about the ADA’s role in cases like these. Lets step away from the details of this case, because I honestly don’t any of the decisions that were made behind closed doors.

The ADA’s legal consul’s first goal is to provide legal advice and to help you out where needed; it isn’t necessarily to draw attention to your case. Sometimes publicity is exactly what is warranted, but they should *not* go on a publicity offense on their own accord. I personally would not be comfortable asking legal advice from anyone if they were going to make me a poster boy for their cause without my express consent.

That doesn’t mean the ADA is always silent in these matters; quite the contrary. A very good summary was published in the NYTimes this past december:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/26/health/26workplace.html?ex=1181880000&en=6b88fd8aa17f1bf0&ei=5070 (reg. required)

The ADA is building up a very good advocacy resource at:

http://advocacy.diabetes.org

of which the legal and discrimination component plays an important role.

I’m *very* glad Amy covered this situation in her blog and that it seemed to be so helpful! I just think blogs like DiabetesMine and the ADA’s legal consul can play different roles, both are needed, and that is how it should be.

Lauren, I should point out that I am more than slightly biased in this matter because Michael Greene is my father ;) That isn’t to say I always agree with him, but I know he is very passionate about legal advocacy and has been heavily involved with the ADA for over two decades. His commitment is absolute. And more heartening than that is that the Legal Consul’s office is not just him; it is a large group and they are *dedicated*.

good debate!!!

Warm Regards,
Adam

]]> By: Lauren http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38050 Lauren Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:34:03 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38050 I hear you, Sarah. I never refer to myself as "diabetic" without prefacing it with "type 1." Fortunately I work in the medical field, so I'm spoiled -- most people I work with understand the difference between the two types. However the world at large does not ... and that's the scary part. I hear you, Sarah. I never refer to myself as “diabetic” without prefacing it with “type 1.” Fortunately I work in the medical field, so I’m spoiled — most people I work with understand the difference between the two types. However the world at large does not … and that’s the scary part.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38049 Lauren Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:25:12 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38049 I agree that the issues of public hypoglycemia and insulin dependence are more relevant to type 1's, who can find themselves in dangerous situations VERY quickly. Again I am dismayed by the attorney's reference to the "diabetes epidemic" in a discussion of issues that largely affect type 1's. It's important to reiterate that there are two distinct types of diabetes. The lack of awareness about this is a MAJOR part of the problem. I am not reassured by the ADA's response to Doug's case. Amy's call to action reverberated through the community while the ADA seemed strangely silent. I had no idea they were even involved. As for going on the offensive, why is that always seen as a negative thing? Think of all the court cases in this country that have forced the government to guarantee people's rights -- someone had to "go on the offensive" to bring those issues to the forefront. I am all for lawsuits in cases of police mishandling of medical emergencies. I still think one of the reasons the D.A.'s office was so aggressive in pressing charges against Doug was to divert attention from the horrible actions of the police department. When the D.A.'s office dropped the charges, they expected us to be so grateful we'd drop the issue. Of course public hypoglycemia isn't a crime -- the way the police handled it, however, IS. We won't forget this, and the ADA shouldn't either. I agree that the issues of public hypoglycemia and insulin dependence are more relevant to type 1’s, who can find themselves in dangerous situations VERY quickly. Again I am dismayed by the attorney’s reference to the “diabetes epidemic” in a discussion of issues that largely affect type 1’s. It’s important to reiterate that there are two distinct types of diabetes. The lack of awareness about this is a MAJOR part of the problem.

I am not reassured by the ADA’s response to Doug’s case. Amy’s call to action reverberated through the community while the ADA seemed strangely silent. I had no idea they were even involved.

As for going on the offensive, why is that always seen as a negative thing? Think of all the court cases in this country that have forced the government to guarantee people’s rights — someone had to “go on the offensive” to bring those issues to the forefront. I am all for lawsuits in cases of police mishandling of medical emergencies. I still think one of the reasons the D.A.’s office was so aggressive in pressing charges against Doug was to divert attention from the horrible actions of the police department. When the D.A.’s office dropped the charges, they expected us to be so grateful we’d drop the issue. Of course public hypoglycemia isn’t a crime — the way the police handled it, however, IS. We won’t forget this, and the ADA shouldn’t either.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38048 Sarah Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:01:07 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38048 P.S. There have been many documented cases of Type 1 diabetics dying in police custody. Many more have gone into comas with lasting damage. For some reason, ignorant people seem to think that Type 1 diabetics don't need daily insulin. Perhaps it's because most diabetics are Type 2, and that's all anyone ever hears about. Everyone's obese grandma who takes a pill, and is fine. P.S. There have been many documented cases of Type 1 diabetics dying in police custody. Many more have gone into comas with lasting damage. For some reason, ignorant people seem to think that Type 1 diabetics don’t need daily insulin.

Perhaps it’s because most diabetics are Type 2, and that’s all anyone ever hears about. Everyone’s obese grandma who takes a pill, and is fine.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38047 Sarah Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:55:18 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38047 Sorry, Vikki if I misunderstood what you were trying to say. I just hope these people realize that Type 1 diabetics need access to food, their tester, and insulin *at all times*. Sorry, Vikki if I misunderstood what you were trying to say. I just hope these people realize that Type 1 diabetics need access to food, their tester, and insulin *at all times*.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38045 Sarah Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:51:33 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38045 Vikki, *Type 1* diabetics (not Type 2's who take insulin) CAN go into a coma a die within 24 hours without any insulin. Even if they don't eat. By the time the person gets to the hospital in DKA, the damage to their brain, heart, and kidneys may be irreversible. It is a crime to not allow a diabetic to have their insulin. It's like removing someone from a iron lung and leaving them to die. It's a good reason for a Type 1 diabetic to stay out of jail. Type 1 diabetics and cops need to stay far, far, away from each other. It's bad enough we get arrested for having a low blood sugar. Vikki, *Type 1* diabetics (not Type 2’s who take insulin) CAN go into a coma a die within 24 hours without any insulin. Even if they don’t eat.

By the time the person gets to the hospital in DKA, the damage to their brain, heart, and kidneys may be irreversible. It is a crime to not allow a diabetic to have their insulin. It’s like removing someone from a iron lung and leaving them to die.

It’s a good reason for a Type 1 diabetic to stay out of jail. Type 1 diabetics and cops need to stay far, far, away from each other. It’s bad enough we get arrested for having a low blood sugar.

]]> By: Vicki http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38044 Vicki Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:23:02 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38044 I hope his statement that "People {diabetics}don't die because they don't have their insulin" was shorthand for something (but what?). As an insulin-taking diabetic I KNOW that's simply not true. Diabetics on insulin can die of a hypo if they take too much insulin. But that's not the same thing. And if they don't have their insulin and eat a meal they're going to go hyper, but that's not going to kill them, at least not right away. So what was he trying to say? I hope his statement that “People {diabetics}don’t die because they don’t have their insulin” was shorthand for something (but what?). As an insulin-taking diabetic I KNOW that’s simply not true. Diabetics on insulin can die of a hypo if they take too much insulin. But that’s not the same thing. And if they don’t have their insulin and eat a meal they’re going to go hyper, but that’s not going to kill them, at least not right away. So what was he trying to say?

]]> By: Rosalind Joffe http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/06/and_where_was_t.html/comment-page-1#comment-38043 Rosalind Joffe Tue, 12 Jun 2007 23:57:03 +0000 http://diabetesmine.dreamhosters.com/2007/06/12/and-where-was-the-ada/#comment-38043 As an MS'er (living with multiple sclerosis), I've been "accused" several times over the past 30 years of being tipsy, drunk or not in control. Bad balance can do that to you. I've never wondered why people draw the conclusions that they do? I've just wondered why they have to be so rude about it? Or, why can't they apologize when I explain why I can't walk a straight line? We all "profile" - draw conclusions based on limited info. But, we also need to always recognize that the info is limited by what we perceive, rather than the reality of the situation. Rosalind Joffe www.keepworkinggirlfriend.com As an MS’er (living with multiple sclerosis), I’ve been “accused” several times over the past 30 years of being tipsy, drunk or not in control. Bad balance can do that to you. I’ve never wondered why people draw the conclusions that they do? I’ve just wondered why they have to be so rude about it? Or, why can’t they apologize when I explain why I can’t walk a straight line? We all “profile” – draw conclusions based on limited info. But, we also need to always recognize that the info is limited by what we perceive, rather than the reality of the situation.

Rosalind Joffe http://www.keepworkinggirlfriend.com

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