“The already roiling political outcry from the American Roman Catholic Church (ARCC) over a new federal regulation that will force religious organizations to provide their employees with health insureance plans that cover contraception is expected to become even more turbulent this wekend – with prelates from across the country, including Worcester [Massachusetts] Bishop Robert J. McManus, asking their flocks to lobby Congress to overtur4n the controversial directive by the Obama administration. 

“The brouhaa erupted in several quarters of the church January 20 [2012] after Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced that the new federal health care law will require that insurance plans at many religious institutions, including colleges, hospitals, and social service agencies such as Catholic Charities, to cover birth control without co-payments from employees.

“Several Catholic organizations including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the national Knights of Columbus, expressed outrage, saying the mandate forces Catholics to violate their religious beliefs and teachings.

“In one of the more strongly worded reactions, Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh wrote that Ms. Sebelius, a Catholic and Mr. Obama’s administration have said, “‘To hell with your religious beliefs.  To hell with your religious liberty. To hell with your freedom of conscience.’”

“This weekend, many bishops, including Bishop McManus, are asking their congregants to express their displeasure by writing to their congressman. 

“‘In a letter that will be read from pulpits or published in church bulletins, Bishop McManus charged that the mandate “‘strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith.’” 

“In so ruling, the administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics and people of other faiths our nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, the free exercise of religion,’” wrote the bishop.  “‘As a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences or to drop health care coverage for our employees and suffer the penalities for doing so.’”

“Bishop McManus said that ‘”we cannot and will not comply with ths unjust law.’”

“Federal officials are giving church organizations one year to provide the coverage and employers who do not could be fined $2,000 per employee per year.

“The White House, in a statement issued Wednesday [past] by Cecelia Munoz, the director of the Domestic Policy Council, stressed that churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship are exempt and that health care providers with moral objections will not be forced to prescribe contraception.

“She added that abortion services are not include in the mandate. 

“Meanwhile, local Catholic institutions said they are evaluating the directive and are expecting that it will be challenged in court.

“‘We think that this is an unreasonable decision by the government,” said Dennis L. Irish, spokesman for St. Vincent Hospital [Worcester, Massachusetts].  “‘The regulation strikes at religious beliefs.  It is clearly troubling to us.’” 

“St. Vincent, which employs about 2,200 full and part-time workers is owned by Vanguard Health Systems Inc. of Nashville.

“The for profit Vanguard agreed to abide by Catholic doctrine and social teachings when it acquired the hospital, which was owned at one time by the Diocese of Worcester [Massachusetts].  The bishop sits on the hospital’s board.

“Meanwhile, officials at the College of the HolyCross [located in Worcester, Massachusetts] said they are still examining the mandate’s implications with affiliated organizations such as the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.”

And so dear readers, I once again welcome comments/feedback.  Truly… A. K. Buckroth.

“There’s another walk for a cancer, and I say enough is enough.  In 1913, a society was formed to study cancer, and to discover the possible causes.  During this period, cancer was blamed for everything that the doctor had no answer for.

“In 1934, women joined in the fight.  One of the things accomplished was changing the name to what we have today, the American Cancer Society (ACS).  Let’s now go to 1971.  Richard Nixon was our president, and one of the major objectives outlined in hs State of the Union address was for Congress to approve additional funding for his “War on Cancer.”  Still no cure.

“Here we are, 90 years after the  ACS was formed, and still no cure.  Cancer touches every family worldwide and yet we still walk or run for a cure with no questions.  It’s time to demand a cure.  We are quick to voice our objections to our government every day and hold politicians accountable.  Isn’t it time to hold the ACS accountable?  Demand a cure and demand that the cuurrent 15 cents on every dollar for research be increased.  Let the head of ACS and the top administrative staff take pay cuts, with no bonus money paid until we have a cure.

“Personally, I believe there’s a cure, but think about the job losses and the effect on this economy.  Let’s all hold the ACS accountable for a cure now, not later.  It’s long overdue.”

My note: Now, as diabetes runs rampant alongside cancer with Parkinsons Disease and Multiple Sclerosis close, along with too-oo-oo many other diseases, each and every money-raising-disease organization needs to read this.  15 cents from every dollar raised is ludicrous.  As I’ve written before, coontributions to research are a bottomless pit.  I know first hand – I’ve been raising money for St. Jude’s, JDRF (Joslin Diabetes Research Foundation), the ADA (American Diabetes Association), and so so many others for 45 years now!  Cure something, release the cures, darn it.  THIS DECADE!  Yes, they are long overdue! 

Truly,  A. K. Buckroth, author “My Diabetics Soul – An Autobiography.”

“Christmas in Poland retains much of its story book fascination.

“This holiday is preceded by a period of four weeks during which fast is observed on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Strict fast is observed throughout the day before Christmas, and in the evening, the Wilia Supper is served.  It is the most solemnly celebrated occasion and is so closely connected with family life, that members of the family who are away feel very deeply their absence from home.  Polish housewives prepare for days in advance the traditional foods, beverages and decorations.

“When the first star appears in the Eastern skies, the family gathers at the table for the Wilia Supper, a feast to commemorate the birth of the God Child.  In farm homes, sheaves of grain, tied with colored ribbons, are placed in the corners of the room with a silent prayer for a good harvest in the next season.  There is always a thin layer of hay under the white tablecloth in memory of the God Child in the manger.  In every house in Poland, all members of the household, before sitting down to the table, break the traditional wafer, Oplatek, and exchange good wishes.  The Oplatek is a thin unleavened wafer like the altar bread in the church, stamped with the figures of the God Child, the Blessed Mary, and the Holy Angels.  It is known as the Bread of Love.  The wafers are sent by mail to the absent members of the family.

“The Supper itself differs from other evening meals in that the number of courses is fixed at seven, nine or eleven; and in no case must there be an odd number of people at the table.  Otherwise, some of the feasters would not live to see another Christmas!  A lighted candle in the window symbolizes the hope that the God Child, in the form of a stranger, may come to share the Wilia Supper, and an extra place is set at the table for the expectant guest.  This belief stems from the ancient Polish adage, ‘Guest in the home is God in the home.”

“The Wilia seems very long to the children who are impatient for the lighted Christmas tree.  Christmas trees are very popular in Poland.  In the large houses in the cities, they are placed on the floor or the table; in the villages, they are hung from the ceiling, all decorated with apples, nuts, candies and many small toys made out of blown eggs, colored paper and straw.   It is supposed that the gifts were brought by an angel, since their St. Nicholas had visited the children on December sixth.  An old Christmas carol is sung and then the gifts are opened.  More carols follow and there is great joy and merriment.

“Polish carols, Kolendy, are very numerous and beautiful.  They are sung at Midnight Mass, the Pasterka, (Shepherds’ Watch), and it is a popular belief in the villages that while the congregation is praying, peace descends on the snow-clad sleeping earth, and that during this holy night, the humble companions of men, the domestic animals, assume voices; but only the innocent of them may hear them.

“Christmas Day is spent in rest, prayer and visits to various member of the family.

“From Christmas Eve until Twelfth Night, boys trudge from village to village with an illuminated star and a ranting King Herod among them, to sing carols.  Sometimes they penetrate the towns in expectation of more generous gifts.  In some districts, the boys carry puppet shows called szopki.  These are built like a little house with two towers, open in the front where a small crib is set and before which marionettes sing their dialogue.  During the Christmas season, the theaters give special Christmas performances.

“On the feast of Epiphany, the priest and the organist visit the homes, bless them and write over the doors the initials of the Three Wise Men (KMB) in the belief that this will spare them misfortune. 

“”The Christmas season closes on February second, Candlemas Day.  On that day, people carry candles to church and have them blessed for use in their homes during storms, sickness and death.

“Among the Poles, wherever they are, the most beloved and beautiful of all their traditional festivities is that of Christmas Eve.  In the words of their forefathers, who called the Christmas Days Gody, it is to them a time of good will, love, harmony, forgiveness, and peace.”

“SUGGESTED CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPERS”

“Seven Course

“Herring and pickled mushrooms; Clear barszcz and mushrooms usczka; Pike with horseradish sauce; Baked sauerkraut with yellow peas; Fried fish with lemon rings; Dried fruit composte; Pastries, coffee, nuts and candies.

“Nine Course

“Pickled herring and boiled potatoes; Mushroom soup; Pierogi; Baked lake trout; Baked sauerkraut with yellow peas; Fish in aspic and potato salad; Rice ring with creamed shrimp; Jellied compote; Pastries, coffee, nuts and candlies.

“Eleven Course

“Appetizers: Pickled herring, individual salads, pierozki with mushrooms and browned butter; Creamed fish soup with dumplings; Pike fillet baked with cream; Baked sauerkraut and mushrooms; Pike in sauce; Cauliflower with crumb and butter topping; Fried fresh salmon and potatoes with tomato sauce; Prune compote; Poppy seed cake; Nut pudding; Pastries, coffee, nuts and candies.”

IN CONCLUSION

“For a long time, members of Polanie Club have felt the need for preserving in America some of the best Polish recipes.  While there were Poles in the Jamestown colony, the Polish immigration movement did not reach its peak until after the participation of Poland in the nineteenth century.  This migration lasted until the restricting laws were passed in 1915.  Therefore, the Poles belong to the later immigrants and as a result many good cooks who have come from Poland are still among us.  On the shelves of the libraries are Polish cook books, yellowing with age, sent to the United States when exchange of thought between Poland and other countries was free.

“TREASURED POLISH RECIPES for Americans is the result of research into these old precious cook books, invaluable help from good Polish cooks and the contribution of cherished recipes and cooperative help of all our members. 

“We have chosen recipes for foods available everywhere in America, yet we have been tested.  We found many that derected the use of  ‘enough flour to make a still dough’ or ‘enough milk to make a pouring batter.’  Such recipes were carefully tried and the ‘unmeasured’ ingredient was carefully measured and made part of the recipe in standard of measures common in America.

“We are sincerely grateful to all who helpd us assemble this book.

“We hope the book will give our American cooks a new experience in preparing Polish foods and much pleasure and a real joy in eating them.

“POLANIE CLUB, Irene Jasinski, Marie Sokolowski, Editor.”

Sokolowski, Marie.  Editor, Polanie Club, Polanie Publishing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Copyright 1948, 11th Printing 1967.

… “La víspera de Navidad era más que una celebración de la Navidad en nuestra casa. Como una familia, celebramos la Cena del Neris. Este día de fiesta, seguido de un período de cuatro semanas, durante el cual se observa el ayuno Wenesdays, viernes y sábados. el ayuno es observado durante todo el día antes de Navidad, y la cena es obsrvied Neris. se trata de una fiesta que conmemora el nacimiento de un hijo de Dios.

“La cena es diferente de otras cenas en el número de cursos se fija siete, nueve u once años,. Y bajo ninguna circunstancia debe haber un número impar de personas en la mesa una vela encendida en la ventana de símbolo de la esperanza de que los hijos de Dios, como un extraño, puede llegar a compartir la Cena de Neris, y espacio adicional en una mesa esperando a los invitados. Esta creencia los resultados del antiguo proverbio polaco “, un invitado en la casa de Dios en el hogar. “(Sololowski, Marie, y Jasinski, Irene”. Preciadas recetas de Polonia para los estadounidenses, “los derechos de autor 1948.)

… “Wigilia była bardziej niż święto Bożego Narodzenia w naszym domu. Jako rodzina, będziemy obchodzili Wieczerzę Wilii. Ten wakacyjny, następuje przez okres czterech tygodni, podczas których obserwuje się na czczo Wenesdays, piątki i soboty . głodówki jest obserwowany przez cały dzień przed Bożym Narodzeniem, a wieczorem kolacja Wilia jest obsrvied. jest to święto upamiętniające narodziny dziecka Bożego.

“Wieczerza różni się od innych kolacje w tym liczby kursów jest stała siedem, dziewięć, może jedenaście;. Iw żadnym wypadku nie musi tam być nieparzysta liczba osób przy stole zapaloną świecę w oknie symbolizuje nadzieję że dzieci Boże, w postaci obcego, może dojść do akcji Wieczerzy Wilia, i dodatkowe miejsce jest przy stole dla gości oczekujących. przekonanie to wynika z antycznym powiedzeniem polskim, “gość w dom Bóg w domu. “(Sololowski, Marie i Jasiński, Irene”. Treasured Polska Przepisy dla Amerykanów “copyright 1948 roku.)
 
“Jeśli chodzi o post dla mnie chodzi, I został zwolniony z powodu mojej cukrzycy. Bez względu na wakacje lub okazji było, nie miałem na” szybko “. Moja matka i ja poszedł do plebanii parafii, wyjaśnia ksiądz uzasadnienie tego wniosku. To było przyznane przed moja Pierwsza Komunia Święta w 1965.

Growing up in Massachusetts, this state is one small part of  repetitious glorious autumns.  Cooler temperatures and windy weather invite all tree leaves to shed from their boughs and branches.  Shaded and vivid colors of yellow from the oak trees, red from the maple trees with splotches of purple and varying shades of the primary color palette take over the living earth at this place, my New England, every year.

There is a certain passion among the colors as they fly through the air, placing themselves on every street and territory disguised as leaves.  A majestic arrogance.  So much so that tourists continually arrive year after year to see the spectacular foliage that peaks in mid-October while enjoying New England hospitality.  The joy of this seasonal change is exaggerated with the celebration of Halloween.  Anxious excitement and creative preparations with decorations are seen everywhere.  This is a happy celebration that marks the end of summer, the harvest of deliciousness, the beginning of winter, and to respectfully commemorate the passing of the dead.  This is when the past is recognized as such, never forgotten.

As I am one of five siblings, preparations for the Halloween Event were the most fun for our trick-or-treating.  Our mother was greatly creative, encouraging, and patient with this endeavor.  All of us were allowd to go through her things – all her things including drawers, clothes closets, jewelry, hats, make-up, and anything else we kids could find – in order to ‘dress up’ and purposefully disguise ourselves.  Oh, there were limits of course, but just being allowed to rummage through her things was magnificent in itself!

Imagine a family of four or five children (Judy wasn’t old enough yet), costumed to the nines, knocking on your door with empty sacks and bags (pillowcases were the best) outstretched toward you and hollering “trick or treat!”  It was hilarious!  Because of mothers’ encouragement, I still look forward to this “holiday” every year.  But now I am on the other side of the door, serving the tricks and treats.    

The best cosutme I recall was my brother, Charles, being a mummy.  He got the idea from the infamous 1960′s movie entitled “The Mummy.”  He gathered all the ace bandages he could muster.  Mom kept them for her sore, tired legs.  Imagine a 10-year old boy wrapped in ace bandages from head to foot.  It was marvelous and the funniest thing I ever did see!  Toward the end of this particular trick-or-treating event, his bandages started coming off, actually making him look more eerie.  I remember laughing and laughing, trying to help him tuck one end of a bandage in to where it had loosened, only to have another one pop out.  It was hilarious!  I fell on the ground laughing with tears streaming down my cheeks.  He was upset.  I could tell he was getting frustrated.  The only thing he wore under all the Ace bandages was a pair of BVDs.  Tired and cold with the prospect of school homework looming, I had to get him home.

Once inside our house, he ripped those things off as soon as he could, swearing he’d never do that again, and continued to enjoy his candy collection.

I wasn’t shy when it came to eating some of that stuff.  On no.  My siblings did not witness this sneaky cheating.  Otherwise I would have been chastised to the mountains and grounded and probably banned from any further Halloween trick-or-treating participation for the rest of my life!  My siblings policed me studiously! 

However, my manipulations caused my older sister to walk ahead with the younger kids while I carried the rear, purposely.  While dusk turned to dark, I gluttonously indulged in many a forbidden sweet.  I almost hate to admit it but my favorite chocolate bars became Almond Joy and Butterfingers, the little ones, so it didn’t seem so bad.  But, when I ate too many as is prone to happen with any child, I became ill.  It wasn’t so much the stomach ache, but my blood sugar was on top of the moon!  I could feel it.

As there were no such mechanisms as ”glucometers” invented as yet, I depended on “Clinitest Tablets” used to check a urine sample for glucose content in my blood.  Silly as that seems now, that is what was available back in the early days of coping with diabetes.  So, through my candy binging, I didn’t need to take a urine test to know that I messed up.  Bloated with extended stomach, sleepy with lethargy, I needed insulin.  I took it.  I knew how.  I first learned how to give myself an insulin shot at the age of six.  Using only the clear, “Regular” kind because it was “fast-acting,” it still took a few hours until I felt better, was better.  No one in the house was any wiser or aware of my actions.  

In the meantime, the “Sugar-Free Halloween Fairy” came to visit our house while we were out.  My mother placed a special purchase of sugar-free goodies under a pillow or atop the bureau chiding me to see if I found anything unusually special.

Gosh, that was gloriously thoughtful.  That type of heartfelt kindness is rekindled to this day, forty years later.   And the “Halloween Fairy” along with the “Valentine’s Fairy,” the “Easter Bunny,” and whatever character was implicated during certain and specific times of each year was an implication that there existed diabetic characters of each holiday genre.  There were some that were just plain sugar-free, like me, and they know where I lived and left me treats.  Oh, Happy Happy Halloween - good treating of your friends and family!  

A. K. Buckroth, “My Diabetic Soul – An Autobiography” available at mydiabeticsoul.com.

A book or two awaits me in my briefcase, my car, my pocket-book, my back-pack.  If I have a moment to read one paragraph – or better yet, a full page – I will not hesitate to do so.  The trend of electronic reading gives me pause if only because I would be able to upload 3,500 books into one unit.  That’s unfathomable!  It this is true, it is too exciting for me to acknowledge.  No, I’ll remain with my paper copies and read, read, read.

When asked what is my favorite book or whom is my favorite author,  I reply that I have many.   I cannot pinpoint a specific author or book because of this fact.   Authors Fyodor Dostoevsky, Phillippa Gregory, Anne Rice, Leo Tolstoy come to my mind immediately as greatly enjoyable classic authors.  And the abundance of new authors and their works has recently appeased my appetite.   

Thinking I should share this personal and joyful experience with other humans, I became involved with two book clubs.  One of these clubs I actually began and facilitate at an Assisted Living Center.  Gosh, what a blessing these clubs have been!  Not only do I get to read chosen books, but the follow-up with an intellectual discussion is exhilerating!  At least to me.  Heck, such comaraderie got me away from “the office,’ away from the doldrums of tedious duties, and seriously reminded me that I can share my empowered and progressive mind.   Ahh.

With all that written, I would like to share this years’ past reads with you.   Yes, I am one of those people that read many books at one time.  This helps to attain my sense of accomplishment.  Perhaps one, two, or more of these books will wet your appetite!

1. “Wesley the Owl” by Stacey O’Brien; 
2. “The Guensey Literary and Potato Peel Society” by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows; 
3. “Codename: Snake, The Evil We Kill” by M. M. Rumberg;”  
4. “My Diabetic Soul – An Autobiography” by A. K. Buckroth; 
5. “Pearls My Mother Wore” by Terry Sue Harris;
6.  ”Dear Cara: Letters from Otto Frank” by Cara Weiss Wilson;
7. “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay;
8. “Post Mistress” by Sarah Blake;
9. “After” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor;
10. “A History of South Africa” by Leonard Thompson;
11. “Memoirs of a Navy Brat” by Beverly Moglich;
12. “Earn It – Empower Yourself for Love” by Bob Quinlan;
13. “Point Hope” by Bryson Kilmer;
14. “My Flight to Freedom” by Gisela Butler;
15. “Ponies For My Father” by Charles Beaver;
16. “Taking Control Of Your Diabetes” by Steven V. Edelman, MD;
17. “Sting Of The Geisha” by M. M Rumberg;
18. “Dying for a Date” by Cindy Sample;
19. “The Spire of Kylet” by Connie Walker;
20. “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson;
21. “Wind to Water” by David Hamershock;
22. “Lord John And The Private Matter” by Diana Gabaldon;
23. “Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade” by Diana Gabaldon;
24. “Lord John and the Hand of Devils” by Diana Gabaldon;
25. “A Cure for Emma” by Julie Colvin.

I also look forward to reading “Absolute Power” by David Balducci;  ”Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself” by Alan Alda; “A Green Jouney” by Jon Hassler; and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot for the second time.

Without further ado, it is time to get some laundry done – washed, folded and put away!  I’ll read during my lunch break…Enjoy yourself, enjoy learning!

Truly, A. K. Buckroth, www.mydiabeticsoul.com

“What is this?” you ask.  “I’ve been seeing such symbols in so many places recently.  Magazines, newspapers, even on a City bus!”

In answer, the letters “QR” stand for “Quick Response.”  To read such a symbol, you need a QR reader on your smartphone.  I went to my ‘Iphone App Store’ and downloaded one for free.  There were several symbols to choose from and I do not know if one is better than another, but the one I chose works well.  By googling www.Kimtag.com, you will be able to learn more and choose one for yourself.

Linking my QR code, above, to my web page, you can link it to any social media site or webpage.  You can even have a list of places and the user will choose what they want to look at.  The Kimtag website was easy to use and follow along. 

Once you have the app (application) on your iPhone/SmartPhone, you will be able to focus on any such symbol, press your app, and the website for that business will instantly appear.  This is the easiest way I can explain it.  It is easy, quick, and quite innovative.

Sincerely…A. K. Buckroth.

“347M people are diabetic No [number] doubled in 30 years… 

“London – The number of adults worldwide with diabetes has more than doubled in three decades, jumping to an estimated 347 million, a new study says.

“Much of that increase is because of aging populations – since diabetes typically hits in middle age – and population growth, but part of it has also been fueled by rising obesity rates.

“With numbers climbing almost everywhere, experts said the disease is no longer limited to rich countries and is now a global problem.  Countries in which the numbers rose fastest include Cape Verde, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea and the United States.

“Diabetes may well become the defining issue of global health for the next decade,” said Majid Ezzati, chairman of global environmental health at Imperial College, London, one of the study authors.  http://mydiabeticsoul.com/a-larger-history-on-diabetes/

“He noted the figures don’t reflect the generations of over-weight children and young adults who have yet to reach middle age.  That could create a massive burden on health systems.

“We are not at the peak of this wave yet,” he said.  “And unlike high blood pressure and cholesterol, we still don’t have great treatments for diabetes.”

“Still, in Britain and elsewhere in Western Europe, despite growing waistlines, there was only a slight rise in diabetes.  Experts weren’t sure why and said there could be several reasons, including worse detection of the disease, genetic differences or perhaps the Europeans were better at getting heavy people to reduce their chances of developing diabetes.

“Women in Singapore, France, Italy and Switzerland remained relatively slim and had virtually no change in their diabetes rates.  Numbers also stayed flat in sub-saharan Africa, central Latin America and rich Asian countries.

“Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes and is often tied to obesity.  It develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to break down glucose, inflating blood sugar levels.  The disease can be managed with diet, exercise and medication but chronically high blood sugar levels causes nerve damange, which can result in kidney desease, blindness and amputation. 

“For their estimate, Ezzati and colleagues examined more than 150 national health surveys and studies that tracked Type 2 diabetes in adults older than 25 in 190 countries and territories.  They used modeling to estimate cases for another 92 countries.

“They calculated there were 347 million people worldwide with diabetes.  Their figures come with a big margin of error, ranging from 314 million to 382 million.  A previous study using different methods estimated there were 285 million people with diabetes in 2010.

“The new study was paid for my the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization.  It was published Saturday [approximatley July, 2011] in the Journal Lancet. 

“Doctors warned the higher susceptibility of certain groups like Asians, blacks and Hispanics to diabetes could dramatically boost future ratios.  “Other ethnicities don’t have to be as obese as people of European descent to get diabetes,” siad Dr. Aaron Cypress, a staff physician at Joslin Diabetes Center.  He was not linked to the Lancet study.

“It may be, for example, that Indians and Chinese store their fat in more dangerous places, like a pot belly,” he said, theorizing that kind of abdominal fat can send out hormones to speed up diabetes.

“But Cypress was optimistic the trend might be reversed, citing first lady Michelle Obama’s fight against childhood obesity in the U. S. as an encouraging sign.  “We need to sound the alarm that people can prevent a slowdown of adult diabetes by making sure their kids aren’t at risk,” he said.”

To conclude, be afraid – be very afraid!  I would like to thank author Maria Cheng for her insight and incite.  One of my personal missions is diabetes awareness.  Ms. Cheng and the other organizations aforementioned have inspired me to inspire you.  Having lived with this disease for 52 years as of August, 2011, I have been aware of it being a “massive burden on health systems” for decades now!  Listen and Learn - Now!

Final note: The use of brackets,  bolded and italicized texts in this blog are of my choosing.  It’s in black and white in “My Daibetic Soul – An Autobiography.”

Sincerely, A. K. Buckroth.  “AK is OK. ” See www.Buckroth.Wordpress.com for further research postings and articles.  Thank you.

Originally known as “The Clara Barton Birthplace Camp,” the history behind this particular camp is short but succinct, beginning in 1932.  “Clara Barton, a well-acknowledged Civil War nurse, was born at the camps’ present site in 1821 in North Oxford, Massachusetts.  Ms. Barton’s claim to fame was her founding the American Red Cross organization through her compassionate humanitarianism.  Being a Universalist by faith, her Church purchased the 96 acres of land for use for inner-city youths.  With Dr. Elliott P. Joslin’s dedication to diabetic children as far back as 1921, these combined efforts and knowledge led to the creation of “The Clara Barton Birthplace Camp,” now known as “The Center for Diabetes Education (CDE).”  Sonneborn, Liz.  Clara Barton Founder, American Red Cross copyright 1992.

The Center for Diabetes Education (www.bartoncenter.org) is a long running and long-standing  non-profit organization.   I know first hand.

I fell in love with this summer camp for girls as a child many years ago at the age of six.  Having been diagnosed with diabetes at the age of two, a diabetologist doctor (Charles A. Graham) at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts, highly suggested my camp attendance.  My mother did not have to hear this twice.  She trusted the word of Dr. Graham.  I did as well.

So, it was agreed.  Off to camp I went for my first  two weeks.  Never did I think that I would be able to go back every summer for the next nine summers!  I remained elated every year and robustly looked forward to the adventure!

Since the CDE’s founding, many summer camps across the United States have followed suit for the care of children with diabetes.   At this writing, I am saddened to have not been able to locate such an organization among other countries.   CDE is known internationally, giving me the opportunity to meet diabetic children from other countries.

Through my experiences at CDE those many years past, I thoroughly encourage the caregivers – parents, grandparents, guardians, family members and friends – of diabetic children to allow them to go to such a specific camp.  Their learning experiences will not only be delightful, but their social skills with diabetes, their learning how to take care of themselves is and will be priceless!

My high appraisal of CDE may be read in my book.

To date, partial proceeds from the sale of my book go toward CDE: its operations and maintenance, its infirmary medical supplies, sports equipment for the children, sleeping bags and camping necessities, etc. Their ‘wish list’ never changes!  This can be found at their website as noted.

In retrospect, when purchasing a copy whether it be as an E-book, a Paperback, or an Audio Book, consider the purchase as a tax write-off!  This is something to keep in mind with all of your purchases, especially if you consider yourself an entrepreneur or a small business owner.

To briefly conclude, this is one way you can help educate youngsters effected and affected with and by diabetes.  This is a family disease.  Therefore, you will be assisting families with their constant learning efforts regarding the bafflement and confusion of diabetes.  Your help is appreciated.

As it is easier for me to come to you,  I look forward to making your acquaintance.  This event is a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon – book a tour of the grounds and visit the historical home of Clara Barton!

Truly…A. K. Buckroth

mydiabeticsoul.com, SimplieIndie.com, Amazon.com, Tradebit.com