Tag Archives: Diabetes Advocacy

#78: Dr. Clayton McCook | Diabetes Doesn’t Care Who You Voted For

By Amber Clour on Jan 28, 2020

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Dr. Clayton McCook is back and shares what’s new in his diabetes advocacy game. He’s not pointing fingers, but using his voice and grassroots efforts to make a difference. Everyone has a voice and he uses his kind demeanor to help others find theirs. Not only does he share tech advancements and grassroots efforts, he entertains my ridiculous questions about diabetes management for pets.

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#77: Monica Storozyszyn | Knowing the Difference Between a Constant and a Pest

By Amber Clour on Dec 30, 2019

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I am wrapping up this decade with one last long episode, but I promise, it is worth listening to the very end and entertaining if nothing else. The theme of this episode is knowing the difference between being a constant, and being a pest. Monica backs this motto by providing actionable items and tips to help us relinquish fear and get involved. Her demeanor is calm and her voice is soft, but her words are powerful and changing lives for all people living with diabetes. (more…)



A Look Back at What I Learned and/or Overcame in 2018

By Amber Clour on Jan 5, 2019

It has been over a year since I last shared a post, but with two snow days I had plenty of time to reflect on what the past year has taught me. 2018 was full of new challenges, many of which were diabetes related. After 35+ years of living with T1D, you would think I’ve dealt with it all, but that is not the case. Below are a few highlights, lessons learned and things to ponder.

    • I became a Dexcom Warrior and had the privilege of trying the new G6 before it was released to the public.
    • I shared my T1D story, per the request of the Oklahoma Diabetes Legislative Caucus, to insurance providers in an effort to change future coverage for people living with the disease. It worked. Report to follow in a future post with my testimony.

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#56: Carri Hicks, T1D Parent & OK State Senator | The Race Is On

By The Grind on Jun 13, 2018

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Oklahoma is thankful to have an upcoming state senate candidate who in not only a second generation educator, but the parent of a child recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. In this episode we touch on her son’s diagnosis, insulin affordability & accessibility, and Carri’s day to day life on the campaign trail with three kids. Please note – this is not a political plug, but just an opportunity to have someone in her shoes share life with managing the real world and a child with Type 1 diabetes. (more…)



#49: Amber & Ryan | Who Are We Again, #3? (Honesty Shines Through)

By The Grind on Oct 20, 2017

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With such busy lives these days it has been almost two months since team DDG crafted time to catch up. As everyone in the diabetes community knows, we all need our T1D bestie time chatting about life with the disease SO… after a long day at work we penciled in this episode to review life, recap breaking diabetes news, and discuss listener questions. We talk allergies, food choices, fight or flight response, T2D compassion, defense mechanisms, T1D anxiety and an honest conversation about how our diabetes management is constantly changing.

If you’re one for free-flowing conversation, sit on back with a beverage of choice (if not driving) and enjoy.

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#35: Elizabeth Rowley, T1International Founder | Everyone Deserves to Chase Their Dreams

By The Grind on Dec 13, 2016

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Diabetes is rough right? Even with a CGM and around the clock basal insulin from a pump, most days are still a grind! But staggeringly, across the globe insulin prices are accounting for up to 40% of monthly expenses, and people are walking 100 miles to get a prescription.  Elizabeth Rowley, founder of T1International, is digging deep to gain awareness to the disparities in care and often inadequate access to standards in daily management, like strips and insulin. They campaign for systemic change that not only meets daily needs, but aims to solve the underlying issues in healthcare. If you’d ever like more information on the subject of diabetes across the globe, they are the knowledge hub.

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MasterLab Advocacy Everywhere Conference – Stay Tuned

By The Grind on Jul 6, 2016

Masterlab

For the first time in DDG history – we’re taking a quick break from content. Before you start cursing us and wonder what you’re going to read this week, please note = Ryan started his first day/third year of medical school (YAY Ryan) and Amber is attending the Friends For Life conference in Orlando, Florida. We can’t wait to share future posts as to what’s going down in the diabetes advocacy world. We’ve linked a few sites to check out as a sneak peak into what’s down the pipe line.

Here are a few stellar folks, sites and organizations you need to check out:

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#18: Paul from Camp Blue Hawk | Exploring the Empowering Nature of Diabetes Camp

By The Grind on Mar 22, 2016

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The DDG team is honored to be advisory board members for OU Harold Hamm Diabetes Center’s Camp Blue Hawk, a 5-day residential camp for children with type 1 diabetes that focuses on improving camper’s quality of life. In this podcast we chatted with high school student, twin, cello/bass playing and volleyball champion, Paul and his mother. He shares his honest reflection on what camp was like with stories of clean latrines, good food and forgetting he had diabetes. (more…)



#15: LIVE from the Connect+Cure Gala | Asking The Questions We’ve Always Wanted To Ask To People Who Actually Know The Answers

By The Grind on Feb 5, 2016

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In the midst of a VIP cocktail hour LIVE from the Connect+Cure Gala in Oklahoma City, leaders on the diabetes research and treatment frontier were kind enough to converse with us. We didn’t focus on run of the mill research questions. We got to the heart of their individual diabetes motivations. We covered the importance of a physician’s own A1C, the equal importance of cowboy boots, favorite Toby Keith (he played a full concert that night) songs, and why both Amber and Ryan haven’t been dropped as patients for non-compliance… yet. As the night’s feature ceremony, the Hamm Prize–$250,000 for research advances toward a cure–was awarded to Dr. Ronald Kahn, and he joined us to share his enlightening perspectives (that’s not hyperbole, it’s truth).

After we wrapped up our interviews, we were honored to join 900+ people who support the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center’s (HHODC) future and groundbreaking strides toward eradicating diabetes. As Oklahomans, where 1 out of every 3 people is affected by diabetes, it was a meaningful night filled with promise. We are so grateful for the opportunity provided by the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center and appreciative of our guests to supply insights for all of us with diabetes. Thank you everyone!  (more…)