I'm getting some balance between the kids having a good summer holiday and me doing a little writing/ researching/ plotting. The first week we all tore my hair out :) But the kids settled into the idea of relaxing and we've had a bunch of playdates to absorb some of that excess energy. My garden is looking GOOD!

Dh is going to be impressed when he gets back. Seven out of nine flowerbeds look fab, and the other two are controlled disasters where I spread some wildflower seed and then realized I don't know what is weed and what is flower. Ah well.

The mozzies are bad, but getting a little better. I have a friend who is a molecular researcher who works on mozzies. I keep asking him why he hasn't solved the whole mosquito biting thing yet. He says give him $10 million and he'll make it go away. $10 million doesn't sound so much if you ask me... Donations taken here...

And one of the saddest things I've been doing is researching diabetes. I'm reading a fantastic book called 'Cheating Destiny' by James Hirsch. Well written, informative and emotive. I have to admit to being in the dumb majority who assume diabetes is almost cured with insulin whereas now I realize it is only managed. I hadn't even realized type-1 was an autoimmune disease until I read this book. The book outlines research advances and frustrations, gives insights into the medical industry, looks at scientists as individuals, and outlines where funding policies gets in the way of doing actual research. It also talks about people living with the disease--adults and children--and their strengths and personal demons. I can't imagine what parents go through when they first learn about the disease, to take on all the information in one big swallow, while dealing with the reality of glucose monitoring and insulin injections (and whose kid likes needles?) and calculating every little thing their child eats, and weighing it against how active the kids are being and trying to balance that with the changing needs of a growing body. Throw in childhood illness, school, puberty. The pressures must be enormous.

Just thought I'd mention it.

The rates of diabetes (1 & 2) are skyrocketing. Information and support and high-fives for a job well done should be the norm. Don't contribute to the myth that the patients themselves are to blame for getting the disease. Type-2 has contributing factors, but again, information, support and encouragement are needed to help people control this disease. And let's work for a cure.



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