Metting Summaries

Meeting attendees where, L to R: David Fields, Stephanie Gurley, Quiton Gurley, Sen. Jeff Sessions, Laurel Whitt, Donna and Scott Cates, and Kathy During

On Saturday, February 2^nd, a group of dedicated JDRF advocates met with Senator Jeff Sessions.  The group led by long time Champion advocate, Kathy During, included Quinton and Stephanie Gurley, Donna and Scott Gates, David Fields, and Laurel Whitt. 
 
The group began the Promise Meeting by thanking Senator Sessions for taking his time to talk with them and for his support of the Special Diabetes Program.   Each parent was able to share their personal story of having a child with diabetes.

Kathy shared that her son Austin was now in college and had been diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 4.  Though Austin is in good health and very athletic, diabetes was beginning to take a toll on his body and every day that he had a high blood sugar it was harder to rebound. 
  
Laurel Whitt presented him with a picture that her daughter Meredith had drawn.  Four year old Meredith was invited to a sleep over and could not attend.  Laurel shared how diabetes had affected their lives and that she tried to maintain a normal life style if possible.  

All the parents shared with Senator Sessions how difficult it could be to attend a birthday party, sleep over, or to allow you child to go anywhere to even eat.   Always having to plan ahead, taking a cooler of diet drinks and food that the kids can eat.  The constant explaining that a shot is not a cure; there is no cure.   Kathy talked about what it was like to try and go out to eat or even try to buy groceries.  Halloween- no candy, Easter- no candy, treats at school-sorry you can't have any.  
 
Senator Sessions was a very attentive and empathic listener.  He said he never realized how diabetes impacted the family. The group spent some time explaining to Senator Sessions there is no cure for diabetes.   A shot is not a cure and that diabetes is not something that children out grow.   A discussion of the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes followed. 

Dr. Quinton and Stephanie Gurley shared that when their daughter, Caroline, was diagnosed she spent three days in the Intensive Care Unit.   Caroline now plays sports and is an active teenager, but diabetes is a constant reminder that she isn't normal.  She checks her blood sugar 6 to 8 times a day and her parents check it at night.  Dr. Gurley spoke with Senator Sessions about NIH and the Special Diabetes Program Funding.  Dr. Gurley emphasized that what funding we did receive was never enough when you are a parent of a child with diabetes. 

Donna Cates spoke with Senator Sessions about how far managing your blood sugar has come since her diagnosis and what is has been like for her now that she is an adult.  Her blood sugar has been out of control for several weeks and no one knows why.  She brought her monitor and showed him about sticking her finger and told him about the new blood sugar pump that would also alert the patient if they were low. 
 
David Fields talked about the challenges of his recently diagnosed son Noah, particularly as the diagnosis coincided with the onset of adolescence, and the need to abruptly change long-formed eating and social habits.  
                 
The group discussed how expensive it was to be diabetic and that some supplies aren't covered by insurance companies.  David also commented that for each one of the parents present, there were many without the privilege of access to the information or resources required to timely detect or properly manage the disease. 
       
The group concluded asking Senator Sessions to Promise to Remember their families and their stories as he voted on diabetes funding and research legislation, particularly the SDP.  All agreed it was a great meeting.  

This meeting has been submitted for the following awards: Best Impact

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