Posting another one of Phillip’s videos. He’s done a very good job showing us how he changes his infusion set, from beginning to end. The pump he has looks like it’s from Medtronics/Minimed. Although my first pump experience is with Animas, personally, I understand that many people use Medtronic products, but I can’t stand their infusion sets. I only know this because I got my hands on a couple of samples. I could not easily remove or insert the connector to the infusion (the device with the cannula); I am in no way suggesting that Medtronic is a bad company, their infusion sets are just not for me. To each his or her own. I’m not putting his video under type 1 yet, because I don’t remember hearing him confirm what type he is. You can never be sure how someone will react to questions like that, however, I’ll try to message him later and see if I get an answer.

UPDATE:
I’m happy to inform you guy’s that Phillip has responded to my email this morning. He is indeed type 1. I don’t think I need to tell you guys how thrilled I was only because (like I’ve always said), People of color are bombarded with all kinds of stereotypes, which can be overwhelming for many to deal with, therefore, many African Americans stay quiet (both type 1&2 actually). In his email, he said that he was first diagnosed as type 2 in 1995; then later on his pancreas pooped out (no longer producing insulin), and as of 2007 he became type 1. He said in the future, he thinks he will do a video on it; and I will definitely encourage him to do so. I am looking forward to seeing it. He has a lot of great videos and 99% of them are mostly philosophies about various things he has experienced in his life. I’ve watched a number of his videos, and I think that many of the things he’s talked about can be easily applied to diabetes. Check out his youtube channel.

I really do wish that all of these horrible stereotypes about diabetes did not exist. But trust me, they exist because too many hide. Don’t under ANY circumstance allow someone to make you feel ashamed because of your diabetes. There are literally thousands of people like Phillip, Ginger, Bill, myself, who are open with our diabetes so that you can learn; it is the only way we squash the misconceptions that continue to run RAMPED!

-Yogi

I’m not really in to watching sports, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Simmons’s video. I can relate to a lot of what he said, ESPECIALLY his experience with temporary blindness when his sugars were off the charts; being in the hospital, and not knowing who is who. He also talked about the stigmas and prejudice we all face. His video does have a lot of positive energy, and he goes in to detail of how he’s overcome a lot of his challenges. He answered a lot of audience questions from his personal experience. He even talked about struggles young children of diabetes face. I recommend that every African American person see this video. He was so spot on, on a lot of things. I’m sorry that I just found this video. Enjoy