It’s incredible to hear about the myriad of creative ways in which people are expressing themselves about diabetes and calling attention to this illness lately, both online and off-line. Just a few short years ago, when I was diagnosed, it seemed the Big Advocacy Organizations were the only games in town. Now, individuals all over the country — and the world — are doing everything from running online auctions to selling lip-gloss to designing merit badges in the name of the cause. I’ve recently heard from two more people approaching diabetes awareness with a particularly “fun” spin, if you ask me:
Nic Lee, Blood Sugar Beat
Nic is a Brit who’s had diabetes for over 20 years. He’s been a registered nurse in the UK for over three years now. He writes to say that he’s just completed an online paper (eBook?) on “the disabling effects hyper and hypoglycemia had upon my life, before I found a way to balance my blood sugar using a system taught me as a nurse, in the Channel Islands.”
Don’t expect a magic fix; nobody’s got one of those, but Nic’s Blood Sugar Beat is still informative and fun to read. He also produced this funky trailer to catch some attention for it:
No holds barred, ay Nic? (Do they say that in the UK?)
Singer-songwriter Todd Wright, 40×40 song tracks
Country singer-songwriter Todd Wright (who’s toured with the likes of Lucy Woodward and the Pat McGee Band, for those who follow this genre) is turning 40. Todd does not have diabetes, but approaching his 40th birthday, 
he felt compelled to do something challenging and meaningful. He started out by vowing to write and release 40 new song tracks in 40 days, that people can download for free.
Just one song into this project, he met “two amazing kids,” Bella and Cameron, living with type 1 diabetes. He was so moved by seeing challenges they face every day that he decided to add a diabetes awareness / fund-raising component to his free songs campaign. He’s now added donation buttons, and when you buy his 40×40 part 1 CD with bonus material, “all proceeds go to The American Diabetes Association to fight juvenile diabetes.” (Oops! I guess no one told Todd about JDRF, but a noble gesture just the same.)
I’m thinking there ought to be a directory of stuff like this — when individuals “go rogue” to help others with diabetes. Like “Diabetic Rockstar” Christopher Thomas, who raised a few thousand dollars for PWDs in need last week on “Black Friday” with his Fight-It Friday campaign— one dollar at a time. 
Looks like there’s still time to chip in, my fellow Rogues.
Know of any other unique campaigns from individuals? Please share here.
All of us have a unique diabetes tale to tell and sometimes we have to think outside the box to tell it. while my story happens to encompass 12 years and would take a few books to write, I do applaud everyone for doing everything they do to highlight the disease. With diabetes awareness getting failing grade recently I think it is up to US as diabetics to help spread the word.
Hey Amy, many thanks for featuring a rogue voice from the UK. Please feel free to download a copy of my book for free, from the link on my YouTube trailer, and offer feedback on my Blood Sugar Beat facebook page. No holds barred is used by us Brits, but a more apt euphimism is, No bollocks!
Hi Amy,
). In any case, raising funds for PWD’s in need is such an important thing to do. I’m really hoping that we’ll able to start something on A Sweet Life in the near future.
I don’t know anything else going on, but I totally agree with you that a directory is a good idea (might take some of the burden off of you
Nick lee,
great video and great advice. Stay well clear of the sugar. In china we use herbal medicine. Try to substitue sugar for herbal remedies.
Nik,
your story made me cry man. I want you to know that you are not alone. The lord is looking after you. The lord loves you and will always love you. The lord was diabetic so he knows your cause.Tonight I will pray for you and your family. Don’t give up. The lord loves you nic.
Thanks for the information about diabetes to all. Our Thanksgiving gathering with my family this year was dampened at the end by my youngest sister being so distressed about my mom’s diabetes. She has had it for probably 30 years. She has been depressed for a few years now. After 35 years they downsized to a smaller home. One problem I saw right away was they are now in a neighborhood with no sidewalks. She refuses even to do a stress test on a treadmill for the doctor. I think she is afraid of falling, since she falls so much. It is to the point that my dad cannot pick her up when she falls now (they are both 80). She goes to the hospital every week to be “wrapped” for her open sores caused by the diabetes. After a while they started wrapping her in Saran Wrap. I tried to calm my sister down some, but I thought she is mostly afraid of Mom dying soon. I have agonized over these types of thoughts for years now because I could see the decline of her health. She is now on insulin, which my dad gives her every day. She cannot drive & cannot give herself a shot, so if anything happens to him, she will be living with one of us or in a home. He wants to put her in a home because he is exhausted caring for her. I think he is a little selfish here, since diet and exercise would make such a difference. I don’t know how much for someone of advanced age & advanced disease side affects as these, but any information would be apprecicated. I told my sisters that if she ate 75% vegetables and only whole grains she would be so much better. I thought about getting my mom a magazine about living with diabetes for Christmas, but both my sister’s agree, dad would ignore it, mom would read it, but not do anything different. I need to find more info for myself, as I am overweight more than ever, no excuses, just don’t want to exercise & all the junk food in the house is too convenient. I am sending this blog & some other things to my sisters, who need some education on diabetes. I have 3 sisters, older has diabetes, younger one did, but had her stomach stapled & I am suspect. The youngest one who is so upset is in question in my mind.
Also, question, to Chuck, where did you get the idea that the lord had diabetes? Which lord are you talking about?
Lord Lee, obviously!
You guys are making me cry AND laugh today — I’m a mess over here. Thanks
Nik, Just seen your video and I was very moved. I was most moved viewing your video as I noticed at the start, that you were walking at height on a roof with no safety protection! Now being diabetic myself, I loose ballance and you also mentioned it in your video, so I think you were fortunate not to fall off the roof. We wouldnt want to encourage other diabetic suffers to walk at heights with no safety protection.
Also, for your comment Chuck regarding the Lord being diabetic. I also heard that somewhere!. There are lots of signs in the bible especially when he left early during the last supper because he didnt want desert.
Look after yourself!
I was also very worried seeing this young man walking on a roof. Thank god you didnt fall. I had a friend who had diabeties and fell down the stairs in a shopping mall. She was lucky not to have seriously hurt herself. A shopper gave her a hershey bar and then she got afree lift home so it wasnt too bad.
Keep your levels undercontrol and please dont put yourself in danger. I will pray for you.
Surly if he has his insulin in his back pocket, if he feels dizzy then he can test his blood and bring his sugar levels up. H&S always go OTT. Take a break man and get a real job. this guy is in inspiration, he is from Liverpool, England and he is trying his best to sing. It does sound a little out of tune… were you low at the time Nik?
I just cant believe that anyone in that condition could put themselves at such risk. A diabetic should not be risking themselves walking on roofs. I am very concerned as this could set a bad example for other diabetics.
The simple message is that roofs are a no go area for diabetics.
I never heard that Jesus was a diabetic. I thought Elvis was diabetic from eating so much junk food then he went low in the rest room, fell over and banged his head. Long Live the KING!!!
The Lord can walk on water, whereas we diabetics must make do with walking on roofs. And singing out of tune on them!
Nic,
I just loved your book. I stayed up way past my bedtime because I couldn’t stop reading it! I finished it this morning. What an adventurous life you’ve had..and you’re still young! My favorite line was- “And I started thinking about murder…which would make a career change.” You are such a good writer, I could picture everything in my head. What a visual. I’m wondering whatever happened to your ex-wife. You seemed to have found another good woman though. Get thee to a publisher.
Thank’s Donna – knowing that people actually get a kick out of reading my thoughts makes all the effort I expended – no hypos while writing it, mind! – worthwhile. Maybe my ex-wife will pen her own thoughts on diabetes one day, but all I’m concerned about are those thoughts my new wife has. I don’t wanna be making the same mistake twice, huh?
I am going to check out Nic’s blog now. I’ve been able to get off my oral meds by eating primarily raw and vegan, as well as exercising daily. In addition, I limit my fruit intake.
To Your Health!
James Reno