I was suffering from diabetes since 1987 at the age of 41 and ever since then, diabetic medication is my daily dose. It deprives me of certain foods which I have the urge to consume but advised by doctors to refrain, possibly for life and which I have to live with. At some point in time in early February 2007 my doctor suggested putting me on insulin as my blood sugar had gone way up above average. On learning this, I became paranoid and decided against it.

My good friend and colleague, Ms Lucy Goh at the Subordinate courts, Singapore kindly brought bottles of biodisc energized water (check http://www.biodisc.com.au for explanation on what is Biodisc) daily for me to drink for the next 3 months. At my next appointment on 15th May 2007, my doctor noticed that my blood sugar had gone down and decided to put on hold the insulin intake.

In late June 2007, both my feet swelled up to almost 70% of its normal size. Filled with skepticism of what may come next, I was overcome with sadness and depression at the condition of the skin on both my feet, which now appeared dark-brown with my right foot showing a 2 cm deep wound filled with pus. My friend advised me to seek the opinion of Dr Wong at the Polyclinic on Saturday, 30th June 2007. Dr Wong told me that my feet were in a very bad condition, especially my right foot which was infected with pus. Dr Wong also cautioned that he would need to refer my diabetic case to a Specialist at Singapore General Hospital on Monday morning, 2nd July 2007 for medical assessment, and if necessary, to be prepared for amputation if the feet were found to be infected with gangrene.

It was the saddest day of my life, but my friend gave me hope, and compassion for my well being, she invited me to her home and used the Bio Disc, a very special piece of glass which appeared to me like an alien object BUT with remarkable healing powers. This, I now consider is the most precious gift to mankind.

The Bio Disc was used to energize my feet using a torchlight to shine through the disc onto my feet in an anti-clockwise rotation for between 15-20 mins on each foot. The same process was continued on Sunday, 1st July and Monday, 2nd July 2007.

The result was amazing! My swollen feet was almost back in normal condition, but the thought of amputation was ringing in my head and still fearing the doctor would send me to SGH, I deliberately visited the Polyclinic only at 2 pm on 2nd July 2007 and was reprimanded for being late. However when the Polyclinic doctor examined my feet, he was surprised to notice the amazing recovery such that there was no necessity to be referred to SGH. I was only prescribed some ointment and antibiotics and sent home instead of the SGH and advised to continue with the medication.

It was the turning point in my life and I was the happiest person! Grateful thanks to my friend and particularly the gift of time (the Bio Disc) to mankind and wellness to one and all.

Doreen

I’ve never lost work time because of my diabetes and I’ve maintained excellent A1Cs over the years – largely through help I found on the internet.

Unfortunately, my 2 co-workers haven’t done as well. The type 1 is now on dialysis and had an amputation. My former supevisor has since retired but I recently heard she’s having heart and kidney problems.

Not once was I looked down upon due to my work performance. Not once. It was always missed days, doctor appointments, tardiness, sickness etc etc.

It was really bringing me down. While I will advocate for the rest of my time here for diabetics, for now, I am comfortable (and ecstatic) working from home, no one looking over my shoulder wondering why I am on my 4th trip to the bathroom in the last hour….

Ignorance and laziness (lack of opening up your mind to anything outside of your own world) exists everywhere. All we can do is advocate for ourselves so we can help others….hang in there all…someday, someday, it will get better.

-Diabetes (even if well controlled) increases the risk for heart attacks, strokes, amputations, kidney failire, seizures (Type 1), depression, the list goes on and on.

-Some type 1 diabetics are prone to low blood sugars, and most Type 1 diabetics have a hard time managing their blood sugars in a hectic work environment where there is just no time to manage yourself well enough to get the job done.

Sometimes it’s go, go, go. In the medical field, you are there to help others, every second of your shift. There may be no time for a critical mistake or time to help yourself.

-News reports of diabetics who have killed people while driving hypoglycemic, a cop who shot an innocent person while having a low blood sugar, and other such stories don’t exactly make a case for this woman. Fact is, most people would rather not have a diabetic in a position where they could do harm. And frankly, I can’t blame them. I have yet to meet a Type 1 diabetic who has NEVER had an unexpected low blood sugar. It’s a real risk.

As much as I am all for “diabetic rights” the fact is we can’t have our cake and eat it too. We can’t say that diabetes is a horrible life changing disease (particularily Type 1) that needs a cure, and then turn around and say that we as diabetics can do “anything”.

Diabetes affects us period. So maybe we should admit that.

P.S. I am talking about primarily Type 1 diabetes. Perhaps a little public education would help here. If Type 1 diabetics had disability status, then perhaps this person would be able to be gievn an alternative position with equal pay. Or, a second chance with restirctions, like testing her blood sugar each hour on the job and/or keeping it a little higher than normal while at work.

Maybe if the U.S. could take a stronger stance on things, the world will also follow with more action.