[Diabetes-Talk] Can't believe what almost happened this morning.

[jamielgurganus at gmail.com]

Boy, what in the world did she think was on your arm?  A leech?  Good thing
you had a quick, ear-piercing response!

I can't say I've ever had someone do anything that bold.  When my kids were
younger, I took them to the neighborhood pool.  I would get in the water or
sit on the side of the pool and often had my infusion set on my thigh or
arm.  The Spirit pump sets have a blue coloring, and I never had anyone ever
question what was on my arm, let alone try to rip it off of me!  

Here's a funny story to make you laugh, Veronica.  By the way, I now have a
job.  I am a host home provider and mentor for a young woman with
intellectual disabilities.  One of the local agencies cclosed its group
homes, and they were scrambling to find placements for the clients.  My
friend knew that I was looking for a job and asked if I thought I would be
interested in becoming a host home for her friend's daughter.  My kids and I
met the young woman who is almost 21 and thought it would be a good
opportunity for all of us.  I am paid to provide her 24-7 supervision and
work on her goals every day.  I also get paid rent.  They have been so
desperate to find homes that they even waived the good old  requirement that
I have a driver's license.  Her mom really went to bat for that one, since
she wants her daughter to learn how to get around using public
transportation and the Para-transit system.  Within two weeks of agreeing to
do this, I had to complete an application, two interviews, a home study, an
in-person training, my mentee's staffing and complete 12 online trainings.
She moved in July 18.  Things are going well at this point.  

Anyway, my funny story...

At the in-person training, the young woman asked if I could see the training
manual that she spread open between us.  "No", I said.  I'll need you to
send the manual electronically to me if you can.  Her next question really
took me by surprise.  "Can you read lips then?".  I smiled at her and very
nicely said "I'm blind, not deaf" while in my head I was thinking other
things.  Oh, she says and we continue with the training.  That was a new one
on me.
Take care
				Jamie


				Jamie
  

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica
Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2019 2:07 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Can't believe what almost happened this morning.

Oh my word! I can't believe what almost happened to me this morning. My
guide dog and I were happily walking through my neighborhood. It's a warm
day, for us anyway, and I was wearing my Occidental College tea shirt. All
of a sudden I heard this woman approach me from behind. Insert that voice
here. That female voice that sounds kind of hesitant and whiny which tells
us that trouble is about to strike big time. It's accompanied by that
petting that's almost finger nail petting, like she can't quite make up her
mind as to how fragile I might be. "Honey, honey. Wait a minute, Honey. I
have to help you. You have something stuck to your arm." Well, she was
right. I did have something stuck to the back of my arm. At that point she
reached up and almost started to tug. I wish there was a way to spell the
sound that came out of my mouth at that point. You see, what was on the back
of my arm is the pod. It's part of my insulin pump, the part that holds 200
units of insulin and actually injects it into my body. Had she succeeded,
man, I'm sure the ensuing alarms would have scared the pants off of her. But
I did point out to her that this was assault which would have resulted in
great bodily harm. I then really built up the story of how type 1 diabetics
will die when there's no insulin being injected into the body. I didn't tell
her how long it might take us to die, of course. And you know that response
you get, back to that voice again, I didn't mean, I didn't mean..." Stammer
stutter, pause. Yes you did, was my reply Then she disappeared. But I bet
she won't do that again. Unreal! Glad nothing happened but it just never
occurred to me that someone would actually come up and do that. Have fun,
those of you wearing the Libre. <grin.> Welcome to summer!

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407




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