schreiter

NURSING INSTRUCTORS WHO DON'T KNOW THEIR S***

Hayley Schreiter — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:06:05 GMT

This is an email I sent to my CNA class instructor regarding a statement she made in one of the slides in our Disease & Disability unit:

Hi Vicki,

I just wanted to suggest that you make a change to one of your slides regarding diabetes. In the slide where you compare Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, you state, "Typically, Type 1 diabetics are very thin."

As a type 1 diabetic and as a daughter whose father also has type 1 diabetes, this information is quite frustrating and misleading. Type 1 diabetics are not typically very thin. HOWEVER....upon diagnosis and prior to diagnosis, they may become very thin. I think it is very important that you explain that in the slide because it is currently misleading and causes other T1s and I to face people who believe these stereotypes and ask us questions like, "Oh, you must have type 2, because you aren't really skinny."

This is just one of the many stereotypes that Type 1 diabetics have to face on a daily basis. Although we only make up a mere 3% of the diabetic population, it is because of misleading information like this that makes it even harder for us to advocate our disease.

Thank you,

Hayley Schreiter

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This is the response I got:

Hayley,

We have state-wide curriculum so this is not something I created from scratch. I will look at the information however since I am making changes with the system upgrade. The base of the information comes from the textbook company and I adjusted them to include only the information we are required to cover. Once changes are made, they must be approved by the state before the change can be transferred to students. I have both type 1 and type 2 diabetics in my husband's family and have cared for both in my many years of health care. In my experience, the phrase is pretty accurate so not something I would have automatically changed. In comparison of both types of patients, Type 1 diabetics are much thinner than type 2 since one of the primary causes of type 2 is obesity. There is a group reviewing material and I will definitely bring up your concerns. We are reviewing best practice for all areas of the program. Thanks for letting me know of your concerns.

Vicki

My New PINK Pump & My Life with Type 1! (video)

Hayley Schreiter — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:25:25 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Please watch this video--I hope it's inspiring and gives you all a peek into the life of a 19-year-old college girl with type 1.

Hayley

GUILT

Hayley Schreiter — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:04:00 GMT

As a type 1 diabetic college student whose had the disease since I was seven, one could say that I have "gotten used to diabetes." I get daily emails from Juvenation and after reading some inspirational and some depressing posts about people's reactions to diabetes (the forum or blog titled something like "the most ridiculous things said about diabetes") and also "My latest A1c," I can't help but realize that diabetes is consuming my life. Although this realization might seem obvious and common to many of you with the disease, it saddens me that so much of my life is taken up by it. I know I'm not the only one that feels this way, but lately I have been feeling extremely guilty about ridiculous things having to do with diabetes. For example, if I only have about 5 strips left currently in my meter case, I feel really guilty about the expenses that coincide with diabetes; strips, infusion sets, insulin, etc. Even though my mom even works for a pharmacy and we can afford supplies, I start thinking about all the people who can't afford supplies and it makes my stomach turn. I know I can't do anything about their situations, and I want to do more about it (I am currently trying to start a Juvenile Diabetes Advocacy group at UW-Madison) but lately it has become more depressing than normal. I feel guilty about my A1c, although last time I'm pretty sure it was a 6.8, which is not too bad, but it seems all that I do is constantly check myself in class, while I'm in bed, while I'm working out, when I'm at parties, EVERYWHERE. I can't even go to class without remembering to grab juice & a granola bar, my checker, my glucagon, etc. I need help thinking more positively about the disease because after all, I'm only 18 and have the rest of my life to deal with this. I feel guilty that my boyfriend has to deal with me when I'm low or high and although he's compassionate, I feel like he shouldn't have to go through the trouble of helping me. I also constantly worry about my dad, who also has type 1 and doesn't have a pump since he can't afford it. I feel like it's my fault somehow (I know it's not) and that it's my job to help him have better control, even though he's in his forties. I constantly worry about whether or not my future kids will have diabetes and it makes me sad that I even have to think about that when I know that other college kids only have to worry about the normal stuff like grades and their social life. If anyone has serious inspirational stories and/or recent stem cell news or new pump technology, that would probably make me worry less.

--Hayley

I used 7 strips at the gym tonight. Any ways to avoid going low?

Hayley Schreiter — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:42:00 GMT

SO FRUSTRATED!!

Tonight I tried a spinning class for the first time at my school's gym. Although I suspended my pump during the workout and ate a protein-enriched granola bar beforehand, I still went low and had to sit out for the second half of the class. It's really discouraging to just sit back while checking your bs over and over again until you can jump back into your workout. I was 57 about 30 mins into the class and was 87 before I started the workout, but I figured I'd be fine. After drinking a juice box without much of a raise, I had to drink another one. I used about 7 strips at the gym alone. Not only is that super expensive, it's not exactly a pleasant sensation. I just had to vent about this, because I'm trying to lose 10 lbs and I don't see how it's going to come off if I have to keep cutting my workouts short or drink my calories back. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Also, does anyone know of high protein but low fat snacks that would be ideal for before working out? Thanks!

Hayley

*I didn't ask for this, but maybe God knew I could handle it.* <3

UW Madison Students with Diabetes?

Hayley Schreiter — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:02:00 GMT

If anyone from UW Madison is interested in joining and helping lead a Juvenile Diabetes Youth Advocacy student organization, I am in need of fellow juvenile diabetics!!! I'm dying to create this student org, so if you are interested, please contact me :)

-Hayley