Monday, March 5, 2012

A Banting Moment

Nicola, Brianna, Daniela, and I on Banting's Bed.
When I realized that there were type 1 diabetics out there, that have never met another diabetic, I knew that I had to show them what is out there.  I was lucky, I was instantly introduced to diabetics when I was diagnosed and I hardly ever felt alone in my disease - in fact I don't really recall ever feeling like that.  I started a unofficial group for type 1 diabetics in London that allows those that felt alone in their disease to connect with one another and just feel 'normal' for at least a few hours.

Tonight we all took over Banting House in London, Ontario.   A total of fifteen diabetics entered the house in which Sir Fredrick Banting discovered insulin.   Our tour guide, Erika, who is also apart of our unofficial group, took us through the rooms and gave us all of the information alongside Grant, the curator of the Banting House.   

Giving Banting some credit! 
I think we all took away something very similar from the house as we saw the bed he had been sleeping on when he awoke with the idea of insulin, and as we saw the first ever insulin pump (not appealing) and as we heard about Banting's background and learned how he was such a multifaceted person. We realized that had it not been for Banting, we wouldn't have been standing in his bedroom, in fact we would have not been standing at all. 

Life before insulin was cruel and short.  Children died because of diabetes and now children can thrive, enjoy life and have the cake and eat it too!   Diabetes may be a life sentence in some sense, but the point is that we can now live our lives with diabetes.  We can be athletes, teachers, nurses, doctors, radio announcers, financial advisors, Olympic rowers, and students.   There is nothing stopping the diabetics of today - but something can stop diabetes.

The Flame of Hope
In our minds I am sure we were all begging for a cure as we toured the house.  We all felt a sense of hope, knowing that this man, Banting, saved our lives, now who was going to stop diabetes from taking over our lives.   We all want that cure so badly, we want to ditch the insulin pumps, throw away the needles (safely) and never have to see the blood come from ours fingers ever again.

As we left the Banting house, after taking a few pictures - we stood outside in front of the Flame of Hope.  This flame represents diabetes, and when a cure is found the flame will be no longer.  We crowded around to get a group picture, all hoping that the next time we take a picture in front of the flame, it will be no longer.


Kayla




3 comments:

  1. I was never ever told about Banting, about the flame of hope, the history of diabetes - I was just told i'm diabetic - done.

    I live in England and after reading this page i've already asked my diabetic friends if they wanna take a holiday to see the Banting house in a few years time when they've finished uni.

    I can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well if you do! I am from London, Ontario! So come by for a visit with me as well!

    Kayla

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm from Florida in the USA and have been a T1 for 26 years. Our 9y/o daughter is doing her scientist project on Sir Frederick Banting and tonight for the first time, I learned about the Flame Of Hope!! I hope to visit it soon =)

    ReplyDelete