Posts Tagged ‘Getting help’

How to Save Your Own Life: Part I

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Street where Kitty Genovese was murdered
Street where Kitty Genovese was murdered

By Madeleine Kolb

 

Imagine this

“You’re spending a summer afternoon at a music concert in the park. As the concert ends and people begin leaving, you notice a slight numbness in one arm but dismiss it as nothing to be alarmed about. Yet, while moving with the crowd to the distant parking areas, you feel the numbness spreading down to your hand and up one side of your face. Feeling disoriented, you decide to sit against a tree for a moment to rest. 

“Soon you realize that something is dramatically wrong. Sitting down has not helped; in fact, the control and coordination of your muscles has worsened to the point that you are starting to have difficulty moving your mouth and tongue to speak.You try to get up but can’t. A terrifying thought slashes to mind: “Oh, God, I’m having a stroke!  (more…)

How to Get Help When You Need It

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
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Photo courtesy of meagain

 By Madeleine Kolb

The first time my friend Jen invited my BF and me to have Thanksgiving dinner with her and her BF, I didn’t hesitate.  “Sure,” I said, “that would be great. What would you like me to bring?” Jen was seldom at a loss for words, but she seemed hesitant, apologetic. 

After quite a long pause, she said, “Well, uhh, I know, uhh, you have diabetes, but, uhh—do you think—could you, uhh, maybe bring desert?” She looked relieved. She’d done it.  She’d told me how I could help. 

“Glad to,” I said. “And how about cranberry sauce? I’ll make some of that too.” I brought my absolutely fabulous sour-cream apple pie —made with Splenda instead of sugar and no-fat yogurt instead of sour cream—and cranberry sauce made with Splenda. 

This was a win-win solution. Jen and her BF got help from me with Thanksgiving dinner. I got to help my friend, while preparing a desert that even my BF and I could eat without worrying too much about sky-rocketing blood-glucose levels.  And of course, all four of us got to eat a fabulous meal, drink a little holiday wine, and enjoy each other’s company.  

So what was the problem?  (more…)