I have a great relationship with my Edno but time constraints pushed on Doctors by bureaucratically run facilities seems to allow for only “textbook” reviews every 3 months (or less if you do not have insurance or the finances to truly take care of yourself).

The true Need lies in health care. I cannot afford it right now and I have been trying to figure out what my state offers, what programs are out there and I am left with a need for a life sustaining drug and no money left over for the rest of my bills (let alone a Doctor visit).

For the past 22 years I can tell you what my A1C was, when it changed and why. The problem is what to do about it and how for me (affectionately diagnosed as a Brittle Diabetic in 2000 by a specialist, or as I like to call it, nothing works).

This disease affects every person in very different ways. We all react differently to insulin intake, types of food, medications for ailments, stress, emotions, etc. etc.

And as of late, I feel the focus in the year 2007 is on Juvenile and Type 2 Diabetes (of which I am all for, do not misunderstand me, we are all in this together). Well, back in the 80s folks, they had no clue. And honestly, you can call my Endo on this one, they still don’t. Which furthers societies unfortunate misunderstanding of PWDs.

Yes, I’m cynical. But I think it’s a good thing. Cynicism is cousin to experience and education. For instance, when I checked on Riva’s website, I found out she was an A1c Champion. I’d never heard of this program, so I investigated. I found out it’s a program that involves people like Rita going out and educating people, like myself, who are working to control their diabetes.

So if you were a cynic, like myself, would you suspect drug company involvement? Sure, and rightly so. The A1c Champion program is sponsored by Aventis, which markets the insulin brand Lantus. Lantus folks are heavily into promoting their product to their target population, the millions of Type 2 diabetes in this country, like myself. As a cynic, I’m guessing that Riva helps in that effort through her education.

I’m not trying to discredit Riva’s efforts. I’m sure she’s doing constructive things for diabetics like myself. But saying that the pharma industry has my best interests at heart is, to me, like saying my boss has my best interests at heart.

One other positive my cynicism does for me. I sure as hang am going to take control of my health through diet and exercise before I let myself be turned into just another cash cow/guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry.

For those having trouble putting your awareness that uncontrolled diabetes causes complications into action take a small step, Change one action for a week, see if you don’t feel better. One week, then a second week, but don’t even entertain the thought till you get there. Change happens one step at a time, one day at a time. Five years from now you’ll either be changed — or not. Do nothing and you’ll be the one on the stretcher, but don’t let that scare you, just use it as information.

If you think pharmas are only out for profit, you’ll dismiss this campaign before you actually consider that people at pharmas may actually have two sides: wanting to make money and wanting to help people.

Sure, we can say there’s not enough info in the ad, but it will come. Let’s get patients into health care provider offices first. If you think there’s not enough training for most health professionals about diabetes, I agree. If you think there’s not enough attention paid to coping and emotional issues regarding diabetes, I agree, it’s what I write about. But doing something constructive to change this, even if it’s just raising your voice works best when your intent comes from a constructive, rather than destructive place. Everything is energy. Energy affects everything.

If you think this ad campaign should tell you everything in :30 about why you need to know your A1c, likely this is the first in a succession of ads. People can only take away 1-3 messages at any one time. I know, I was in advertising. No point littering, it only adds to confusion.

Let’s get patients into doctor’s offices, doctors better trained, up the awareness of how emotions affect chronic illness, and if you agree, choose to be a part of that effort doing something constructive rather than destructive. Anything. This effort really needs as many of us as possible.

Yes, there should be emotional consideration about living with diabetes — this is what I write about. Yes, diabetics need more information, but at least making them aware of their A1c is a much needed start. Yes, we need to go beyond numbers, but let’s get patients into health care provider offices and let’s improve physician training. And, likely this is the first of several campaigns which will layer information. You can’t typically eat the whole apple in :30, but if you can give people a whiff and get their saliva going, that’s huge in this world of undereducated diabetics.