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Trying to find common ground
I blew it. One sentence would have throttled the full-strength hatred of some frighteningly hostile folks who deal daily with society’s skewed stereotype of Type 1 ‘Juvenile Diabetes”. My wrongdoing: I foolishly omitted this sentence: “This article refers to Type 2 diabetics.”
My recent article regarding imprudent efforts to educate and stem the proliferation of Type 2 diabetes, created quite a stir. Some responders attempted to trample my integrity. My Face Book page was hacked with insulting comments. My e-mailbox filled up with scores of defensive assaults.
This experience reminds me of an article in the Chicago Tribune (Nov. 2010), which exposed a Type 1’s vs. Type 2 civil war. Type 1’s vein-pop into defensiveness when people suggest they’d cure themselves if they ate less sugar and exercised more.
Most everyone knew I was referring to type 2, but I should have set the two apart. Adults and children with type 1 don’t want to be compared to a type 2. For the record, five percent of diabetics are Type 1.
Despite a few negative responses to my column, I still stand against the insensitive offering of ice cream to a diabetic child; reinforcing that it’s okay to have a little. Kids don’t ‘get’ moderation. A recent New York Times scientific expose reveals that sugar is toxic. It causes obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and weakens the immune system. Fresh fruit would be an infinitely better means to raise glucose levels.
Common sense says caloric sugar and ice cream- over time- can exhaust the pancreas.
In my opinion, no one should use ice cream in the same context with diabetes education.
Insulin levels, in one way or another, are affected by sugar and dairy which also increases cholesterol and weight gain, aka, Diabesity.
Recently, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine announced that kids who aren’t exposed to cow’s milk, (ice cream and milk) during infancy may have a 60 percent lower risk for Type 1 diabetes.
Mayo Clinic findings say genetics and exposure to certain viruses may also trigger auto immune centered Type 1.
Outnumbered and overshadowed by Type 2, those who live with Type 1 diabetes fight for recognition, resources, and a new name.
Those who chose to spew hatefully at me after my column printed- reacting rather than responding- tend to diminish credibility.
According to the CDC, if current eating trends do not significantly change in this country, 15 percent of Americans (more than 37 million Americans) will live with Diabesity.
As long as society trusts outdated science, approve carbs but shun plant foods and clean protein, there will be no positive changes.
Loyal readers who’ve followed me through my career know me to be a compassionate, yet aggressive seeker of hidden truths. When it comes to Holy Temple dietary stewardship, I am a passionate, serious and knowledgeable guy.
Hoping to empower readers to practice prevention, not nurture disease with old failed science, I’ve written professionally for 15 years with nary a disparaging word as I expose truths many don’t wish to hear.
I tell anyone who has diabetes to stop beating themselves up: “It’s not your fault! All you’ve done is fall in love with and consume what you were told by those you trust. “
After that statement, I offer the most up-to-date science and sources. But clearly, when people hear what they don’t want to hear, they sometimes go way past negative.
We are all in the same boat together. We all hope for the same result a happier, healthier America.
7 Responses to “Trying to find common ground”
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1July 31st, 2011 at 9:03 am
Nice! You have deleted all of the comments here to.
2August 1st, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Why delete the facts and leave the lies? What kind of newspaper is the Southside Times? There are alot of us out there and I can assure you, we won’t be going away.
3August 1st, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Mr. Wendell I’m surprised that all of the comments were deleted from your post.
A blog is usually handled as a conversation. That implies there’s an amount of give and take. While some of the comments may have been overly critical of your opinions and how you stated them, you have to realize that we live with this disease 24x7x365. In my case for over 14,000 days. So we have strong feelings and opinions about this disease.
I sincerely hope that you will take an opportunity to contact some diabetes experts and learn more about all the various types this terrible disease, type 1, type 2, LADA and gestational diabetes.
4August 6th, 2011 at 8:30 am
[...] go back and comment on the articles. You can find the first article here and the half baked apology here. I have copied all the email addresses listed on the contact page of their site. Last but not [...]
5August 6th, 2011 at 8:34 am
[...] only regret? I went shopping before I read Wendell Fowler’s so called apology that you can read here. Had I read that, I would have bought some of the half baked ice cream because that is what his [...]
6August 19th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
If you’re going to remove comments, delete the whole insulting, misinformed article, just like you did with the “Pandering” screed.
Deleting the comments and leaving the article is lying. You imply that there weren’t dozens of people who told you what was wrong with the things Fowler is saying.
Put it all back or remove it all.
I can’t believe anyone thinks this is a responsible way to practice journalism.
7May 10th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
after admitting you didnt differentiate between type 1 and type 2, you then make the same mistake again!!
ive lived with type 1 diabetes for 15 years i can say sugar does not ‘exhaust our pancreas’ my immune system did that. i never drank cows milk before i was diagnosed i didn’t eat a lot of sugar my diet was full of fresh foods i have no history of autoimmune conditions in my family yet i still got type 1 diabetes. sometimes chance plays a part
compassionate? doesn’t seem like it from your article… do you know why we get so angry over stuff like this? we as t1 ,and parents of type 1 have to watch their young children , receive discrimination because of the myths surrounding type 1 diabetes that people like you are perpetuating
as for saying kids don’t get moderation, that is a lie i did. we are brought up having a good diet with the occasional ‘treat’. maybe you should get up to date with the treatments we now match our insulin to our food so we can eat ice cream (in moderation). also why use an article which was based on a ice cream social for type 1 kids (which by the way i’d love to do…) turn into a discrimination against type 2….