eat. pray. bolus.

If you'd like to follow our next blogging adventure, make your way over to eat. pray. bolus.  See you there!

Going...out...of...business...

It is after much thought, discussion, tears and prayers that I write.  My Pump Gear is officially going out of business. 

***Take a look at the website*** to see the LOW, LOW prices on the limited stock of products.  Most packs are only $10!  Toy packs are just $1!!  We are trying to clear out as many items as we can.  This is a great opportunity to grab some at cheap cheap prices.  You won't find anything on any other website this low.  We will only be up and running for a couple more weeks.  (http://www.mypumpgear.com)
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My Pump Gear was a dream. I literally woke up one morning back in 2006, and envisioned the whole thing.  I wanted to bring affordable insulin pump accessories to kids (& kids at heart!)  I wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids with diabetes.

It had become increasingly frustrating to search cyberspace for ways in which our (then) toddler daughter could wear this device called an insulin pump.  I mean, potty-training was a nightmare.  Several near misses with the pump diving for the toilet made it an absolute necessity that we find something.  And, we did.  But as I remember, just one pump case was priced near $40!  It was cute.  It did the job.  But $40?  Really? And, our daughter would need more than one.  A girl needs to accessorize, you know!

And so, our journey began.

In between drop-offs and pick-ups for the boys, C and I made the rounds...to fabric warehouses, different manufacturers, the L.A. fabric district.  By sheer, divine intervention, I was directed to the self-described "bag lady."  She became not only my prototype developer, she became a mentor. I remember that first meeting.  I was so nervous going to this stranger's house, not knowing what to expect.  I went with a checkbook in one hand and my little pre-schooler in the other.  I was at this lady's mercy.  I was prepared to pay whatever she charged for a consult.

When I walked out of that meeting, I felt so positive and free of the nerves that accompanied me inside.  She had spent 2 1/2 hours with me and C, learning about diabetes and what our product need truly was.  When we were about to leave, I opened up the checkbook and asked,

"How much do I owe you?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

And with a smile, she said, "I never charge just to talk."

You see what I mean!  Divine intervention.

That was the beginning.  4+ years ago.  We have met so many wonderful people through this business experience.  And, sure, there have been a couple people who ripped me off royally.  But for the most part, the people we've had dealings with, have been kind and helpful.

By education, I am an elementary school teacher.  So the language of business was quite foreign to me.  I have learned so much.  And, though I was scared of answering the phone for fear of a disgruntled customer, most times I was pleasantly surprised.  I found that some people really just needed to talk about all the new diabetes stuff in their lives.  I've felt sincerely honored to have been that listening ear or have given a small tip regarding the management of insulin pumps on tiny, little bodies.

We may be closing up shop soon but we're not leaving cyberspace completely.  Our blog will soon take on a different shape as we move from business to our continuing endeavors for diabetes advocacy.  So, come back and visit us soon!  

Thank you for allowing us into your lives! It is true, ours are fuller and richer because of My Pump Gear.

A Look Back...My Two Sons.

So I'm a day late and several dollars short...who cares, right?  Yesterday was declared Special Sib of a D-Kid Day by some special D moms out there:  Alexis of Justice's Misbehaving Pancreas and Sherry of Jenna's Pet Monkey. It's a day to direct the attention to the kids who help out with all the diabetes stuff.  Their lives are affected by this disease too.  Thanks Alexis and Sherry!

I'm pulling an old post up from about 1 1/2 years ago.  I thought it fit the theme perfectly.  They may be a bit older now, but they are definitely still Special Sibs of our D-Kid!...my two sons.

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Remember the old television show, My Three Sons? Well, this is the newest edition of "My Two Sons!" (Disclaimer: this goes against everything my mother ever taught me regarding boasting/bragging. Sorry, mom.) I thought it appropriate to write about my two boys for several reasons.

First of all, they're my boys and I love 'em! They have both played long and hard on their separate baseball all-star teams this summer. And as baseball sometimes goes, they both had games last night. Both their teams lost last night, which means...they are both finished with baseball. Well, at least for a while!

They are a funny pair.

Big C has brilliant red hair, stands nearly taller than I do and can pitch an insanely fast ball. He's 12. It seemed we had to re-iterate that fact several times to people during Little League this year because he stands taller than any other kid at his level. He will be going into the 7th grade this fall. He always gives us many reasons to be proud.

Then there's Middle C. His hair is also red, but more of a subtler shade. He is reminiscent of Opie Taylor -- Ron Howard's character on The Andy Griffith Show. Grandma tells him he looks like a young Brad Pitt. Either way, yes, I think he is handsome! He'll be headed for 5th grade this fall. And, I've got to say, the humor inside this kid keeps us laughing every day!

The second reason I wanted to write about them on the blog is regarding the roles they play in our family where diabetes is concerned. Their lives, too, are affected by this disease. A lot of time and attention is given to C because of type 1. And, though it is an intricate part of our family, we strive daily to carry on our normal routines. We never want diabetes to rule whether we do activities or not. But there are times, when it rears it's ugly head at inopportune moments. My boys have seriously never once grumbled about the "diabetes-interrupted" times. A low may need to be treated when heading out the door. Or, maybe the low happens at the end of a baseball game when the team is heading to the local pizza parlor. And, we just need to sit and be patient while C struggles to feel better. Diabetes is demanding. And it's demanding on all of us, including my two sons.

They support our efforts in raising awareness and raising funds for the JDRF. They participate in walks. They've attended Family Camp Days to learn more about diabetes. They were so excited this past May, when we set up a Sno Cone sale at the baseball fields. All proceeds will be going to our walk team. At one point during the day, they took over running the booth with some of their baseball buddies!

Big C recently wrote a paper all about type 1 diabetes and how his sister deals with it all. I was so touched...I posted it back in May. It shows how much he knows about this disease, more so than many people. It also shows that he doesn't take it lightly.

The last reason I wanted to write about my two sons in this post is to highlight one other thing they do in the fight against diabetes. They both participate in TrialNet. It's the ongoing trial to find answers from lab work gathered by siblings and cousins of type 1 kids. And, although they aren't jumping up and down with excitement to get their blood drawn yearly, they do it because it's what they can do to make a difference. I'm proud of them for that!

My two sons...

eat. pray. bolus.

It's been a little over a week since our JDRF Walk.  I wish that time would just slow down a bit.  Really.  There is so much going on all around us...I wish we could absorb more of it.  Anyway, let's get back to the walk, shall we?...
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On Sunday, November 7th, C headed up her first walk team ever!  For the past however-many-years, we have joined a couple different teams.  But this year, C made it clear that she was ready to take on the task of forming her own team and putting in the effort to raise funds.  So, how could we say "no" to that??

And, so, C's Pack formed.  Family joined.  Friends joined.  Friends of friends joined.  Relatives of friends joined.  All-in-all, her team ended up being over 60 people strong!  Donations started rolling in from distant relatives and from some we've only met online!  It truly amazed us!  Her team efforts resulted in donations totaling over $2,600.


What touched us even more than the financial generosity was the participation...the actual walkers who showed up to support her and the others we know that deal with diabetes every single day.  To say the least, it sparked a fire in her, I believe!  What encouragement she (we) felt to see her little friends walking up and down the hills of Dodger Stadium...


It was a terrific day.  And, maybe even a little education was given to bring more awareness to the disease.  We handed out a paper with lots of myth-busting information regarding diabetes.  We just felt that the turn-out for C's Pack was so tremendous, we wanted everyone to go home with a better sense of why we were going to such effort to raise money.


Here's a look back on the day...a terrific one!

60 + strong!

Self-explanatory.

 

 

Heading up her own team.

Friends made it special!

eat. pray. bolus.  Our shirts were a hit!

Supportive friends.

Every time we're there, I think I'll take a picture of this...World Diabetes Day, you know!

 If you'd like to see the entire photo album, come join us on our Facebook page!

6 Little Ducks.

It's D-Blog Day!!

However, blogging has been no where close to consistent lately.  And, so I'm arriving a bit late to the party today.  But how could I let a post slip today, of all days?!
Our very own Diabetes BFF, Gina, from over there at Diabetes Talkfest, first initiated D-Blog Day in 2005.  It is taking the DOC by storm today!  The topic this year is:  6 things you want people to know about diabetes.

Well, I even asked Gina, "Only 6 things?"  Because, really, I could list tons more.  But, I am a rule-follower, so I will obey!

We recently made a list of diabetes awareness facts that we handed out at last Sunday's JDRF walk.  We were so pleasantly surprised at the incredible support given to our little C and her team efforts!  We felt it was important to take that awesome moment and educate, if just a bit, to our family and friends who came out to show their support and love and raise funds for diabetes research.  We handed out our list of things we want people to know about diabetes to them.  But, believe me, there were way more than 6 on that paper!  I've struggled to narrow things down a bit.

6 Things We Want People to Know About Diabetes

1. The warning signs:  extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, fruity smelling and shortness of breath, blurry vision and more.  Know these and tell others.  It could save a life!
2. No one gets diabetes from eating too much sugar.  Sugar can actually save a diabetic's life.
3. There are theories, but not even the experts know why a person get type 1 diabetes.  There's nothing that was eaten, done or said that gave them this disease...and, it's not contagious.
4. However wonderful insulin is (and it is!), it is not a cure.  It is life support.
5. Kids with type 1 diabetes grow up to be adults with type 1 diabetes.  They will not grow out of it.
6. Diabetes is 24/7...every minute of every day.  It is a constant balancing act between blood sugar checks, carbohydrates, insulin, exercise, stress, hormones, etc.  There is no break or vacation from it...until there's a cure. 

Oh...there's so much more!...But, I'm not gonna do it...nope, not gonna.  Here's how I'll remedy my restlessness with this issue:  click here if you are curious about all the other things we want the world to know!

(Oh...and the duck thing?  Every time I began thinking about this post, the song "Six Little Ducks" popped into my head.)