[IPp] One Soldier's Diabetes Battle in Iraq
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070228/nyw088.html?.v=92
One Soldier's Diabetes Battle in Iraq
Wednesday February 28, 10:30 am ET
Incredible story of one soldier's dedication and determination on dLifeTV
WESTPORT, Conn., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine trying to manage diabetes,
insulin and diet under the stress of surprise artillery fire. When U.S. Army
Sergeant First Class Mark Thompson signed on to serve his country, he not
only ended up in the battle of war, he ended up in the battle of his life.
After his career reached its height as a combat arms commander he had to
reassess his military career because he was diagnosed with diabetes. He was
told that being deployed to Iraq with his unit was an impossibility. Soldier
Thompson had other ideas. The full incredible story of dedication and
perseverance will be shown this Sunday on dLifeTV on CNBC (Sundays at 7:00pm
ET). dLife is the only diabetes media and education network.
When told he would not be allowed to serve in Iraq because of his diabetes,
Thompson found that answer "unacceptable". He began his quest to serve his
country as he had been trained and that was to be on the battle field.
"Diabetes was not going to stop me from being who I wanted to be" Thompson
states in the segment of the show. His extensive due diligence, included
laying out his complete back up plan to deal with his diabetes in the heat
and sand of Iraq, convinced the Army to allow him to serve with his unit
under he strict guidelines that he could be sent home at any given moment if
need be. He was tested almost as soon as he arrived as his body armor
containing over 50 pounds of supplies including ammunition for his M-16
crushed his insulin pump destroying his automatic insulin delivery system.
Knowing that it would take more than a month for the mail to arrive with his
new pump, Thompson began a tight regiment of up to 14 shots a day and an
abnormal amount of blood testing, "in order to make sure that I wasn't going
to be a causality of diabetes to where I was going to take someone out of
the fight." Thompson ended up serving his entire 12 month duty in Iraq and
was also awarded the Bronze Star given for heroic or meritorious achievement
of service.
dLife Creator Howard Steinberg said, "I have a new hero. Plain and simply
put, the story of Army Sergeant Mark Thompson is one of the most
inspirational stories I have ever heard. This was not only a good story for
the dLifeTV; it was an honor to present. He is a Diabetes American Hero."
This Sunday, catch a new episode dLife TV, the weekly show which inspires,
informs and connects the diabetes community with stories about real people,
celebrities, cooking segments and information from top diabetes experts.
--
Rachel - email @ redacted
She was Soooooooooooooooooooo Blonde... She studied for a blood test.
.
----------------------------------------------------------
for HELP or to subscribe/unsubscribe/change list versions,
contact: HELP@insulin-pumpers.org
