SDWR - I hate you

During my time involved with SDWR I met some amazing families. I have been blessed to have been able to hold onto some of those relationships in spite of how I feel about the org and how our journey went so wrong.

I also know what it feels like to be dropped like it hot because I don't share the same feelings about the org. What I thought to be friends.. ok not just friends but good friends.. have turned their back completely. These are people in the DOC these are other d moms who I thought would never let a service dog organization come between a bond much greater..

Wait. Time to come clean myself... In the beginning of my journey I did that to..  I turned my back to people that I thought were just trying to cause trouble. Why? Because I hoped for so much.. I hoped the trainers would work with us to get our dog to alert. I hoped I would have what we set out to achieve, a Diabetic Alert Dog.  I hoped Dan Warren was telling me the truth. I believed him when he said they were lying. I believed so many lies... 

I know what it feels like to be afraid... to be scared to speak up.. I cant tell you how many late night conversations I had with families currently still involved and claiming of working dogs.. about how our dogs do not alert and asking ourselves what the hell did we get our families into.

I know what it feels like to be on both sides of this organization. I also know what it feels like to say I am sorry to families I have turned my back on. I was wrong and hope for forgiveness. 

But what I cant understand is how so many families are still standing by, praising his glories.  Why continue the charade. 

There has to be a point when you say enough is enough already, and start doing what is right. Get your head out of the sand and speak the truth. 


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an update on the legal stuff

There are currently still over 20 complaints against SDWR filed at the Virginia Attorney Generals office. ***Edit*** 07/17/2015 over 30 complaints now  http://www.ag.virginia.gov/ComplaintTopicSelector/Search/Details/55414

There are active lawsuits http://www.scribd.com/stopthescammers/collections 

There are other state and federal agencies doing investigating as well.
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When will it end... when will this be over and families stop getting scammed?

despite all the negative we still have a pretty cool dog who loves to play soccer ♥

D Blog Week Day 7!!!

Click for the My Favorite Things - Sunday 5/18 Link List.
As we wrap up another Diabetes Blog Week, let’s share a few of our favorite things from the week. This can be anything from a #DBlogWeek post you loved, a fantastic new-to-you blog you found, a picture someone included in a post that spoke to you, or comment left on your blog that made you smile. Anything you liked is worth sharing!




Thank you Karen @  http://www.bittersweetdiabetes.com thank you for letting me be apart of such an awesome week!!!!!! 

So day 1 was about issues that really fire us up. I loved this post http://thelifeofadiabetic.com/changing-the-diabetes-world-dblog-week/   

Day 2 read this one if you didn't yet. http://justicesmisbehavingpancreas.blogspot.com/2014/05/day-2-d-blog-week-poetry.html?m=0

Day 3 here's a good read http://blooddropsbrailledots.blogspot.ca/2014/05/on-blogging-and-emotions.html

Day 4-http://vickisnotebook.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/diabetes-blog-week-day-4-mantras-and.html

Day5-http://chasinglows.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/dblogweek-5-diabetes-life-hacks/

Day6-http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2014/05/dblogweek-saturday-snapshots.html?spref=tw. 

I am so proud lol I did it :) I did d blog week! 

D Blog Week - Day 6

Back for another year, let’s show everyone what life with diabetes looks like!  With a nod to the Diabetes 365 project, let’s grab our cameras again and share some more d-related pictures.  Post as many or as few as you’d like.  Feel free to blog your thoughts on or explanations of your pictures, or leave out the written words and let the pictures speak for themselves. 

I really wanted to complete the week. So going to post some pics I have from my phone. 

D Blog Week - Day 5!!

Click for the Diabetes Life Hacks - Friday 5/16 Link List.
Share the (non-medical) tips and tricks that help you in the day-to-day management of diabetes. Tell us everything from clothing modifications, serving size/carb counting tricks to the tried and true Dexcom-in-a-glass trick or the “secret” to turning on a Medtronic pump’s backlight when not on the home-screen (scroll to the bottom of this post). Please remember to give non-medical advice only! (Thank you Rachel of Probably Rachel and Kelley of Below Seven for this topic suggestion.)

I made through the week with I hope some good posts..

But today I don’t really have any good advice. 


We often swag carb counts when out and even sometimes at
home.





 I did recently get introduced to an awesome app called My Fitness Pal. This is my go to app!  I have an android phone and for some reason cant find calorie king to purchase. (Idk if I am tec dumb or its not available on android lol) 




This one is short and sweet but I hope to learn some great tricks from others today!!!!

♥

D-Blog Week- Day 4

Yesterday we opened up about how diabetes can bring us down. Today let’s share what gets us through a hard day. Or more specifically, a hard diabetes day. Is there something positive you tell yourself? Are there mantras that you fall back on to get you through? Is there something specific you do when your mood needs a boost? Maybe we've done that and we can help others do it too? (Thanks to Meri of Our Diabetic Life for suggesting this topic.)

I tell myself this! Repeatedly :) 

 

and then I reach out to 

 DOC!!

and one good look at this face and life is all

better

 

or his amazing siblings help with those hard days. Always available for a big hug and smooch! Sometimes that's all a mom needs ♥

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



D-Blog Week - Day 3

May is Mental Health Month so now seems like a great time to explore the emotional side of living with, or caring for someone with, diabetes. What things can make dealing with diabetes an emotional issue for you and / or your loved one, and how do you cope? (Thanks go out to Scott of Strangely Diabetic for coordinating this topic.)


A break-
I know when I'm at work and I need a break,  I can get up, walk out. regroup, come back in and pick back up refreshed.
Diabetes doesn't take a break... Yes sometimes I get a break from d care. but my son.. NEVER... He will never get a break from the wonky numbers that brings highs and lows or from the constant carb counting, ratios, finger pricks and needles....
and
That is what gets me down.... 

when I start thinking about it all ..I can.. I DO.. drive myself insane and almost immediately bring myself to tears..

Control-
What control? and the next person that asks me if his diabetes is under control.  I will give you a snarky response.. because.. never are things the same so never will there be control..
I unfortunately do try and control what I can. So yep I micromanage all d care.. Which makes my whole family mad because not consciously I tell my family how to do things my way and well, there way might be just as good but the crazy always have to have control mom in me wont hear them out.
and
That is what gets me down....

Being a mom I need control I want control and to have diabetes in our life has taught me so much about learning to roll with it.. deal with it in the moment. Don't dwell on the crazy numbers or the whys.  and repeatedly tell myself this one high is not going to cause damage or this one low wont be the one to cause a seizure.. why.. because we caught it we caught that number and are fixing it accordingly..

why-
I still ask why.. and I know someday that will be answered.. someday.. one day.. he will do something amazing.. be someone amazing.. and d will be in the background.. yet he can say.. I did this.. I accomplished this or that even with diabetes...

♥

DBlogWeek - Day 2 - Your diagnosis type 1 diabetes

This year, Diabetes Blog Week and TuDiabetes are teaming up to bring out the poet in you! Write a poem, rhyme, ballad, haiku, or any other form of poetry about diabetes. After you’ve posted it on your blog, share it on the No Sugar Added® Poetry page on TuDiabetes, and read what others have shared there as well! 

Be nice my first go at this :)

 
Your diagnosis type 1 diabetes

I had no idea
no idea why you were so sick
we went to the doctors
not once
......twice!

 
They kept saying you had a bad cold
you would get better soon


you were drinking alot
throwing up
breathing funny

we went to the emergency room
I thought dehydrated...
I thought we will be home soon..

I promised you I would not leave your side
I promised the Dr's would make you feel better
I promised we would be home soon
I promised I WOULD NOT LEAVE YOURSIDE!

You went with strange faces
In a helicopter
To a better hospital

I lied..you had to go alone
I lied.. you were stuck with many needles
.....you didn't feel better soon....
I Lied... we didn't go right home
I Lied...Your diagnosis type 1 diabetes


you now will know what
insulin is
this is your lifeline

You will know know what
finger pricks 
needles
carb counting
highs &
lows are....
Your diagnosis type 1 diabetes


and
what misconceptions are
people not knowing what type 1 is


The questions you are asked
why did you get that?
how did you get that?
did you eat to much sugar?
does that hurt?
will you grow out of it?

the list can go on and on...
yet you continue to smile
you continue to be brave


always so strong
so brave
you got this
diabetes doesn't have you
its just your diagnosis


You are

MY HERO ♥

D Blog Week - Day 1 Change the World

 

 

Let's kick off Diabetes Blog Week by talking about the diabetes causes and issues that really get us fired up. Are you passionate about 504 plans and school safety? Do diabetes misconceptions irk you? Do you fight for CGM coverage for Medicare patients, SDP funding, or test strip accuracy? Do you work hard at creating diabetes connections and bringing support? Whether or not you “formally” advocate for any cause, share the issues that are important to you

D.a.d's

After diagnosis I scoured the Internet for anything. Anything that would make life better. And so began my journey for a diabetic alert dog.

I did research.. I actually did alot of it but, when we began our search the amount of info out on d.a.d's was limited because they were new. TOO new, I should have waited another year or 2 and boy O boy would I have went down another road.

But here the thing, I believe I was meant to go through this journey I was meant to get scammed. I was meant to not have a working dog.. So I can be a voice for new families looking for a d.a.d. For families beginning their own search for a 4 legged life saver.

Hopefully one day they come across my story on the big world wide web... stop, think, and do maybe a little more research about that organization that sounds so good. I have learned if it sounds to good to be true.. IT IS :) !!
Also, not always is the most expensive way the best way.

I also like to include in most if not all of my posts here or on Facebook that my family is paid in full. We have paid all 20k and have a dog that could care less if my sons blood sugar is high or low.