Yesterday I had the honor to be apart of the annual Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes here in Kansas City. The walk started out in the park across from the Nelson Atkins art museum and we walked along brush creek to the country club plaza then back to the park. All in all it was about 2.5 miles in some of the nicest weather, along some gorgeous scenery. I walked with the team from my mom’s work North Kansas City Hospital and my brother in law and his kids walked for Team Subway (he owns several Subway restaurants)
Team North Kansas City
Team Leaders
My family me, my mom Georgieanna, my sister Angela, my nephew Drake, and my niece Hailey.
my brother in law Jeremy and niece Cloe
As a health care professional I know all to well the horrible side effects that diabetes can have on the human body. Amputations of toes and feet is common a long with diabetic neuropathy (loss of sensation in feet and hands). Often times I have to teach people how to compensate for loss of sensation so they can still live as independently as possible. We use our hands so much and never stop to think things like “How would I know my bathwater was too hot if I couldn’t feel it with my fingers?” and I have to teach people to use a thermometer since their hands can’t feel. Or teach them how to do skin checks on feet and hands since any cut or sore can lead to disastrous consequences up to and including amputation. Then I have to help rehab them to get them (hopefully) back to where they can live independently as possible. Often times they can’t and wind up either living with family or in long term care.
This is why I walked yesterday…for all my past and future patients affected by this disease.
Everyone who came out
Long line of walkers
Waterfall along the walk
One day I hope we can cure diseases like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s….this is my dream!
Tomorrow back to my regularly scheduled pinning post! Have a good day!
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