| 1. Just how does someone "bury" diabetes? Diabetes | | | | 11. How can people educate themselves about |
| is waiting on your doorstep. Will you welcome it in | | | | diabetes? It depends on what type of "diabetes |
| your home...for that matter your body? Diabetes was | | | | education" you want. What I teach my clients is very |
| not welcome in my home! It's a deadly disease that | | | | unique and individualized. We have a lot of fun at the |
| needs to be buried. How do you bury diabetes? You | | | | same time. I never use a fear-based education. |
| must mentally determine you will overcome the | | | | Instead, we focus on you...not the disease! I use |
| disease and not be defined by it. First, get yourself a | | | | what works and it's been highly effective for over 25 |
| big shovel. Dig a hole in the ground and put diabetes | | | | years! Is your "diabetes education" working for you? |
| and everything mentally toxic with it in the ground. | | | | 12. It seems like doctors and nutritionists frustrated |
| Start burying it with the dirt and keep going until you | | | | you - why? Because they did not want to hear what |
| feel it's totally buried for good. After all, we don't | | | | a 13 year old had to say about diabetes. They only |
| want it coming out of the grave! Otherwise, it would | | | | wanted to believe what they were taught in |
| be spooky!! | | | | college...even if it didn't work and I felt sick. They |
| 2. What happened after you buried your diabetes? I | | | | didn't live in my body, so how would they know how |
| placed my shovel down on the ground and started | | | | I'm feeling? Since their system did not work for me, I |
| jumping up and down. I felt great afterwards and | | | | had to create a plan that worked really well for |
| never looked back again. However, I almost tripped | | | | myself. I'm glad I did...I'm healthy and here today! |
| on the shovel, so be careful! I don't celebrate | | | | 13. According to your book, Diabetes Can Be |
| diabetes, nor do I ever think about it. I just celebrate | | | | Sweet...Once You Bury It, faith played a big role in |
| my birthday and living a "sweet life!" I won't ever | | | | your recovery. What else could serve as inspiration |
| forget the feeling of burying it.....unforgettable and | | | | and strength for those confronting their disease? A |
| amazing! Yes, you can too! | | | | positive role model, in regards to diabetes would |
| 3. What advice would you give to someone who was | | | | have made a big difference in my life. At the time, |
| just diagnosed with diabetes? Most importantly, | | | | there wasn't one. My passion in life is to be the best |
| refuse and never use the "diabetic" label. Don't let | | | | role model for children and adults globally. Once they |
| anyone ever disrespect you. The next time you hear | | | | have hope and believe it can be done, it's only a |
| someone use the word "diabetic," correct them. | | | | matter of time before all of their dreams come true! |
| Sometimes, people don't even realize what they are | | | | 14. You write in your book: "Diabetes did not define |
| saying when they ask if you are a "diabetic." Educate | | | | who I was, I defined what diabetes was to me." |
| them! Explain to them that if they had cancer, you | | | | How so? Diabetes is a serious disease and is not part |
| would not call them a "canceretic." Why then do you | | | | of my life and never will be. However, I'm an |
| suppose the word "diabetic" is used? Ask them to call | | | | individual with my own personality and characteristics, |
| you by your first name. | | | | just like you. Everyone is special in my eyes. We all |
| 4. How would you help someone who feels like no | | | | have hopes and dreams and whether we have a |
| one knows what they are going through? There are | | | | blood sugar or broken foot challenge, it's no big deal. |
| many people out there that know what you are | | | | Life goes on. Living life to the fullest is what's valuable |
| going through. In fact, more than 230 million children | | | | to me! |
| and adults worldwide have diabetes, according to the | | | | 15. Even someone who doesn't have diabetes would |
| International Diabetes Federation. I personally know, | | | | find your personal story very interesting and |
| how you are feeling, since I felt the same before I | | | | motivating. Were you born with a positive attitude, |
| buried it. Believe me, life will get better and those | | | | or did you develop it? I guess you could say, I have |
| feelings will not stay. | | | | always had a positive attitude. You just never realize |
| 5. Dealing with diabetes can wear you out mentally. | | | | it, until it's put to the test. And, yes this was quite |
| How do you maintain a positive, energized focus? I | | | | the test! No matter how bad things seemed to get, I |
| believe it is vital to focus on what you want in life. | | | | always knew I would come out stronger. I have |
| To me, it includes excellent health. I never focus on | | | | learned a lot on my journey, and it has been surreal |
| what I don't want. What a waste of precious time | | | | at times. |
| that would be. Once you know what you want, you | | | | 16. How should a diabetic come to see themselves? |
| can get started right away. Today is the day, to | | | | Ouch! You just used the "D" word. Certainly, not as a |
| make your fresh start! I know you can do it! The | | | | disease. The "diabetic label" should be banned. It is |
| choice is yours, you just have to believe and have | | | | emotionally and mentally damaging to people. Labels |
| faith as you step forward, taking one step at a time. | | | | belong on packaged foods, not on us. They should |
| 6. You came to diagnose your own diabetes as a | | | | see themselves like a normal, healthy person. People |
| child. How did that happen? I was always into good | | | | are unique and extraordinary and there is no one else |
| health as a kid, but yet I couldn't figure out why all | | | | like them on the planet. You decide who you want to |
| of a sudden I was getting more and more fatigued | | | | be...and it will definitely set you free! |
| while I was running. Instead of getting more fit, I | | | | 17. If someone is on insulin, how can they label, |
| was now running behind the unfit kids in my physical | | | | monitor or dictate their dosage? Since I'm not a |
| education class. It just so happened during this same | | | | doctor, I cannot prescribe nor can I change |
| time we were studying diabetes in our health | | | | someone's insulin dosage or medication. The individual |
| education class. | | | | will need to learn how to operate their own pancreas |
| 7. What are the symptoms of diabetes? | | | | (an organ behind your stomach, where your body |
| * Increased thirst | | | | makes insulin). Insulin is a hormone secreted by the |
| * Frequent urination | | | | beta cells of the pancreas, which everyone needs in |
| * Blurry vision | | | | order to transport sugar from the bloodstream. Since |
| * Feeling fatigued | | | | insulin dosages are measured in units, you have to |
| * Weight loss | | | | know all of the necessary factors, in order to obtain |
| * Dry skin | | | | the right dosage(s) (answers) to the equation. |
| * Sores that don't heal | | | | 18. How does one get to know their own body? |
| * Frequent infections | | | | Primarily, by listening to what our body is trying to tell |
| * Numbness or tingling in the feet | | | | us. It's always giving us feedback. The question is, |
| * Vomiting | | | | are we paying any attention to it or the "warning |
| It's important to remember that you may experience | | | | signs" which continue to keep flashing? One good |
| only a few of these symptoms, not all of them. | | | | way to keep track of everything is to write it down |
| 8. Why do you believe vaccines are the largest cause | | | | in your journal. Also, by writing it down you will easily |
| of insulin-dependent diabetes in children? For me | | | | remember it as well. |
| personally, I never missed a day of school from any | | | | 19. What type of health goals should one set? They |
| sickness. I was healthy all of the time. I even | | | | should make healthy choices in all aspects of their life. |
| received perfect attendance certificates! However, | | | | This not only includes consuming certain foods and |
| after I received vaccinations, I started not feeling like | | | | nutrients, but incorporating the most beneficial |
| myself. Today there are many reliable sources that | | | | exercise for you as an individual. Most importantly, |
| are in agreement with me. I believe the pieces of the | | | | are these goals actually reachable? Are you seeing |
| puzzle will all fit together, once you have done your | | | | results? The actual results can be measured by your |
| own research into vaccinations. | | | | lab reports, such as the breakdown of your lipid |
| 9. How did your family and friends support you or | | | | panel. What is your HDL? What is your Hemoglobin |
| react to your diabetes? My family was in shock, since | | | | A1c? This test reveals what your average blood |
| there was no history of diabetes in our family, nor | | | | sugars have been the past 2-3 months. Again, these |
| did I eat a lot of sugar. Back then they thought, you | | | | lab results don't define you as a person. They just let |
| got Type 1 diabetes from eating too much sugar. | | | | you know where you need to make adjustments. |
| Most of my friends were very supportive once I | | | | 20. How can one relieve stress? We have all heard |
| educated them on diabetes. If someone had a | | | | that exercise relieves stress. On the other hand, if |
| problem with diabetes, that was their problem, not | | | | we follow a one-size that fits all exercise program, |
| mine! | | | | we will have even more stress. That's why |
| 10. Why do so many people feel overwhelmed by | | | | individualized physical exercise not only reduces |
| getting their diabetes in control? Because you can't | | | | stress, but increases your overall fun and fitness |
| control diabetes, you can only bury it. I would be | | | | level. Be sure and get plenty of rest. Keep moving |
| exhausted too, if I had to chase diabetes around. | | | | and grooving. Don't just listen to music, have fun and |
| This disease doesn't care who you are, its main goal | | | | dance the night away! Staying stress-free, is the best |
| is to destroy lives. You can live like you don't have | | | | way to be!! |
| diabetes, with the right, healthy lifestyle plan. Feeling | | | | Note: Any information provided in response to |
| fabulous to me, is what it's all about! Diabetes is | | | | questions 1-20 is not medical advice and should not |
| dead....I'm alive! | | | | be substituted for consulting with your own physician. |