A little something in the news the other day caught my eye: schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area of North Carolina have organized an informational meeting especially for families of diabetic pupils. The meeting was titled "Diabetes: Back to School Basics." Reports The Charlotte Observer, the idea is to prepare parents and children for the school-year, looking specifically at how diabetic kids should expect to deal with their condition during school hours, what parents can and cannot expect of school staff and so on.

Also included on the agenda was a chance for parents and kids to work on personalized care plans for while they're at school. The meeting is also a chance for everyone to meet the diabetes nurse who has just joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district. The nurse is trained in diabetes management and will be available to help kids and parents with educational materials and resources.

Here's to the powers-that-be at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. You can see there is a problem with so many diabetic kids in your schools, (The Observer says around four hundred kids in that school district are diabetic), and you are tackling it head-on. What I'm not clear on is what the schools' policy is on insulin-dependent type 1 kids who need shots during school hours. This has become so problematic of late, with schools concerned about liability issues in having staff assist with supervising/administering shots. But, nevertheless, this is a sign of the times and a good one. In fact, this is so good I'm wondering...why don't all schools do this?

A few days ago, Bev posted a football-related blog. Now here's another. This one, though, is decidedly less uplifting. In fact, it's the kind of story you file under 'What Went Wrong?' Takirra La'Fee "TT" Koonce (28), a promising young semi-pro footballer for the New Bern Grizzlies of North Carolina, died suddenly on the playing field in the middle of a game. His death occurred on the Saturday before last (July 14). Teammates and a medic tried unsuccessfully to revive him until an ambulance arrived. It is not known whether or not a blood sugar test was administered to Koonce, who was diabetic, or whether he was given anything to correct hypoglycemia.

Doctors say the cause of Koonce's death probably won't be revealed for four to six months due to a lab backlog. (Outrageous!) However, according to a report in local newspaper, the New Bern Sun Journal, Koonce's dad says his son's diabetes killed him. What's really unusual is that the dad, Cleveland Ballard, is holding the team's managers to blame for the tragedy. Ballard says his son was insulin dependent and was not managing his condition well. "He shouldn't have been running in the heat," said Ballard. "If they did a physical he would not have been there, they would not have let him play."

However, it looks like the Grizzlies are in the clear on this one: an official for the Minor League said Koonce had signed a waiver to play in lieu of taking a physical. Even so, it sure raises an interesting question: if an adult sportsman goes out on the field, does the team management share responsibility if anything happens? Should the managers insist on routine physicals?

Heralding from High Point, NC, BedFrameParts.com has created a heavy duty, multi-purpose bed frame that has recessed legs to prevent stubbing your toe. It's not as uncommon as you'd think. Proper foot care is essential for diabetics because they are prone to foot problems. BedFrameParts.com is addressing the issue of safety first when it comes to a good night sleep.

The Superframe has deeply recessed legs that can prevent possible foot or toe injury. The unique design of the bed frame has made it a Diabetic Friendly Product. BedFrameParts is offering an introductory special including free shipping along with a free Siltex® Underbed Storage Pod" that is designed to slide under your bed, providing extra storage. Pricing for this unique diabetic-friendly bedframe starts at $129 for twin or full sizes and $159 for Queen, King or California King sizes.

I've stubbed my toe a few times throughout my days. In all fairness - it was my fault for not picking my feet up. If the engineering of this frame prevents a stubbed toe, a foot laceration, or the inconvenience of a bump in the night - the decision might be a good one. Sleep on it!

I recently blogged a post about the awful car crash in North Carolina caused when the driver, Ernest Brinson, went into diabetic shock. Brinson survived, but his eleven-year-old son was killed. Tragically, Brinson was on his way home from a checkup visit to the doctor when the crash occurred.

Anyway, here's an update on the situation: the district attorney's office of Johnston County, NC, is expected to announce sometime this week whether or not Brinson will be charged in the crash. It's a real ethical tangle, isn't it? On the one hand, this is a terrible tragedy and, obviously, the family of the boy must be devastated. On the other hand, don't diabetics have a responsibility to be extra careful when they drive? Says a NC Highway Patrol spokeman, "A person with a medical condition is just as deadly as any impaired driver."

The local tv station reporting on this crash also quotes a Raleigh, NC, endocrinologist, Dr. Anthony Azzi, as saying diabetics should always check their blood sugar before they get behind the wheel. Seems like a good idea to me, but I wonder how many diabetics bother to do this?

It's in the news a lot: arguments in favor of a collaborate approach to health care, especially for diabetics. I mentioned this in one of my blogs yesterday, in fact. The experts say that the best way diabetics can receive optimal care is to involve all caregivers in the treatment process: physicians, patients, their families, nurses, educators, physiotherapists and pharmacists.

Today I came across an article that I think illustrates quite well how this vision can be put into practice. It profiles diabetic citizens of North Carolina and describes how they have benefited from joining one of two new diabetes support groups established in Pender County, NC. Diabetics can attend information sessions that help to educate about diabetes and the latest available treatments.

The program is run by Maureen Drake, a nurse and certified diabetes educator. Drake says the key is to "individualize, individualize, individualize." That is, any education/treatment program must take into account the unique circumstances of each patient: things such as lifestyle, culture and personal habits. So, for example, a patient with diabetes who is also prone to ulcers or circulation problems in the feet might be referred to the program by their doctor. There they get to meet with Drake, who then arranges for them to join the education session and also to see a specialist such as a podiatrist. I guess it comes down to good-old community support.