I will be doing giveaways each week, but I want them to have more meaning than just giving stuff away, so I've decided to tie each giveaway with charitable causes I support. Each post will contain a blog button for the charitable cause of that week. When you click on this button you will be able to donate to these wonderful causes. You don't have to donate to be entered to win the giveaways, but each donation (large or small) will go a long way to helping these causes.
So now for this week's giveaway...Let's talk diabetes for a minute.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to produce or unable to properly use and store glucose (a form of sugar). Glucose backs up in the bloodstream — causing one’s blood glucose or "sugar" to rise too high.
Several of my loved ones are living with diabetes, and I had my own scare early this year at a routine checkup. There are different types of diabetes with different challenges, but the bottom line is, we need a cure.
I'm doing my part by offering a portion of proceeds from the sale of items from my shop to the American Diabetes Association, and I hope that you will also join me in supporting this cause.
Here are my offerings this week:
One lucky winner will receive their choice of THREE of my African Tribal Bangles. Ladies- how can you resist??
- Follow/Join QuellyRue Designs blog (click button on top left-hand side of this page)
- Leave a comment. I'd especially love to hear of any experiences with diabetes, so if you have one, share it.
- Contest ends Monday, November 7, 2011
at 11:50pm Eastern time and the winner will be chosen at random.
I gotta say – this giveaway is very close to my heart and I can’t wait to read your comments. Good luck everyone!
Smiles
QuellyRue
Greetings Sis,
ReplyDeleteDiabetes has taken the life of one of my family members and others are managing the disease.The Lord has been dealing with me on taking care of my temple and I have been sharing with my generation the importance of taking care of yourself such as healthy eating habits and exercising. It seems as if taking care of the body is the last thing on some people mind bc they will dress the outside of the body from hed to toe in designer brands but their inside are totally unhealthy. In order for us to have a better future and to see the future we have to be aware of the things we put into our bodies. The Lord says that "My people parish for a lack of knowledge" and it is time for us to get knowledge wisdom and understanding so we will not have any more premature deaths. Also if have been diagnosed with Diabetes, please follow doctor orders! I know some people who have Diabetes and are eating/drinking foods they should not. Love yourself enough to take care of yourself that is my motto!
Chenequa "Nicky" Cash-Johnson
butterflysoul8@yahoo.com
I agree with the above comment from Butterfly Soul. We should pay more attention to caring for what goes on inside our bodies than what we look like on the outside.
ReplyDelete2 of my family members have diabetes.
During my studying days, I got to shadow a GP who saw patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and during this time I learnt that support is the key to managing chronic conditions like diabetes (effective communication with medical professionals and social support from friends and family). The hospital had organised an expert patient group whereby people with diabetes who were successfully managing their condition were used as role models to help others who were not coping so well with their condition to improve their self management. It seemed to work really well because the role models had a unique insight and understanding of the difficulties faced after being diagnosed with diabetes and so they were able to relate and empathise in a way that medical professionals or even family members may not have been able to.
The groups also took into account the psychological effects of being diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as depression. Sometimes it can be hard for people to come to terms with the lifestyle changes they will have to make and this can cause depression, which can be misunderstood or mistaken for apathy or a lack of care for oneself.
This is why I think it's important for family members and friends to learn as much as they can about the illness so they can gain a better understanding and maybe offer more effective support to their loved one during times when they need it most. By learning about the illness, you can also look out for the warning signs of the more serious complications related to diabetes.
Another diabetes-related story I have:
While working as a researcher, I once encountered a young man (late teens) who had developed medication induced diabetes. He had been given olanzapine (a.k.a zyprexa), which is known to cause patients to gain weight, and as a result within about 3-6 months he developed diabetes. I found this to be so upsetting because he entered hospital at the peak of physical condition (six pack and muscles, though mentally very unwell), and he left hospital very overweight with a chronic illness that will affect him for the rest of his life. I just found this really distressing.
For those who are interested, you can also find out lots of information through Diabetes UK at diabetes.org.uk
Love your designs. I'm African and was attracted to it when I saw them just now on Facebook. And good job for bringing diabetes to the spotlight. I know family members who have dealt with it and it being so close to home has made me decide to eat right or at least THINK BEFORE I EAT.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design work QuellyRue! I think you're using your artistic soul to not only highlight material beauty, but obviously bring awareness to other beauty in this world, like better health and loving support.
ReplyDeleteI have known many with diabetes, and I can only imagine how scary this must be to live with. I have had my own health scares in the past and like A.Haroun said, I now pay particular attention to what I eat and how I live my life.
My advice to anyone who wants to take it (or not), is that happiness is key to perfect health. You cannot be at your best, even if you eat well and stay active and seem perfect in the medical world, if you are not in harmony within yourself.
Let yourself shine inside and out and what will follow is your best life. So doing what you love, being what you love, will ultimately love you back!
Keep chasing your passion.
Health & Peace.
I recognized the true impact of diabetes when my Grandfather came to live with us a few years ago before he passed. During his first doctors visit I learned about his diabetes and just how bad it had gotten. I never recognized how much we don't think about our health in relation to diabetes and we don't ask the questions we need to. We have the power to impact certain illnesses we are afflicted with later in life. Yet, we ignore the messages told to us. We have to do better to educate ourselves and those around us. We are responsible for ourselves and our communities and ensuring that less and less children are afflicted by diabetes and less and less of our family members are dying from it.
ReplyDeleteI'm African as well and I love your designs. I see these patterns regularly in clothing, but they are really amazing as bangles, bows, and your other accessories.
ReplyDeleteI had a childhood friend who had diabetes. When ever she had to check her blood sugar during school, I would go with her, and watch her prick her finger and read the meter with her. At first it was a little scary knowing my best friend was sick, because at that time I wasn't really aware of what diabetes was exactly. But as time went on, I got used to it and she told me what having diabetes was about. I'm glad I could go with her to check her sugar level so that she didn't feel alone.
We became distant and now I, fortunately, do not have any family or friends who have diabetes. But I am glad for that experience as a child because I think I would be able to be helpful to someone with diabetes.