Medtronic Paradigm Link BD Meter Update

If you are a user of the Medtronic Paradigm Insulin pump model 512/712 and use the paradigm link BD meter, there is a newer version of the meter software available. If your meter and pump were purchased before April 21, 2004, you can receive a new upgraded meter. Contact BD at 1-800-281-4717 to see if your meter needs to be upgraded. You can check the serial number on the back of the meter and if the number after the dash(-) begins with a 3, your meter can be upgraded.

Great Information Sources

I am often asked where I go to get diabetes information. Some of the sources are obvious. I read the local papers, subscribe to several diabetes magazines, and go online for up to the minute information. But the best information comes from the people I talk to. Parents, Diabetes professionals, ADA and JDRF representatives, and anyone else who can help make our lives easier. This is the reason why we are starting the support group up again. I know each of us feels the pressure to solve all of our diabetes problems ourselves. But we don’t have to. There is no need for each of us to keep reinventing the wheel at each bump in the road. If we can share the wealth of information each of has gained either through experience or research everyone benefits. Please contact me if you’re having problems with your child’s Diabetes care, or if you think you can help someone who may be. I can post your Diabetes tips for others to see, or help connect you to someone who may have the answers your looking for. The Support Group and this website are both committed to helping local Diabetes families make better lives for our kids. Below are several sources of information you may find helpful. The magazine subscriptions to ADA and JDRF are included in your membership when you pay to join.

1. The Children with Diabetes website sends a weekly e-mail newsletter called What's New in Children with Diabetes for visitors to ChildrenWithDiabetes.com. If you would like to subscribe, point your browser to

2. The American Diabetes Association has a monthly magazine called “Diabetes Forecast”. If you would like to subscribe, contact 1-800-806-7801. The member dues are 28$ per year.

3. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has a quarterly magazine called “Countdown” and "Countdown for Kids". If you would like to subscribe, contact 1-800-533-CURE (2873).

4. Diabetes Health is another wonderful magazine to read. If you would like to subscribe, call 1-800-488-8468 or visit the website A yearly subscription cost 19.95$.

Other Breaking News in Getting a CURE!

1. Science is one step closer to an artificial Pancreas!! Researchers are working on closing the Close loop system. Entelos & Diabetech Collaborate on Next-Generation Virtual-Loop
Technology for Type 1 Diabetes.

2. Researcher grows new insulin-secreting beta cells from pancreatic
tissue. Medical News

Stem Cell Update

The Texas legislation has chosen to delay voting on several bills regarding stem cell research in Texas. The State Affairs Committee has not rescheduled a voting time yet. If you are interested in voicing your opinion on this topic I urge you to contact the following member of the State Affairs Committee now. You are also urged to contact, the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House to let them know where you stand on stem cell research in Texas. If you want to learn more about the bills or even stem cell research in general you can visit the following website:
1. The Boston Globe has an online section devoted to the stem cell research debate.

2. TAMR (Texas Advancement for Medical Research) is a Texas agency working to further medical research in Texas


You can send letters or faxes to the following:

To write to State Representatives (this is the address for all Representatives):
The Honorable (full name)Texas House of Representatives
P. O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910

The State Affairs Committee members:

Chair: David Swinford (Republican: Dumas/Amarillo)
Phone: 512.463.0470
Fax: 512.463.8003

VChair: Sid Miller (Republican: Stephenville)
Phone: 512.463.0628
Fax: 512.463.3644

Dan Gattis (Republican: Georgetown)
Phone: 512.463.0309
Fax: 512.499.8354

Jessica Farrar (Democrat: Houston)
Phone: 512.463.0620
Fax: 512.463.0894

Jim Keffer (Republican: Eastland)
Phone: 512.463.0656, 800.586.4515
Fax: 512.478.8805

Martha Wong (Republican: Houston)
Phone: 512.463.0389
Fax: 512.463.5896

Mike Villarreal (Democrat: San Antonio)
Phone: 512.463.0532
Fax: 512.463.7675

Trey Martinez Fisher (Democrat: San Antonio)
Phone: 512.463.0616
Fax: 512.463.4873

Byron Cook (Republican: Corsicana)
Phone: 512.463.0730
Fax: 512.463.2506

The Governor, Lt Governor and Speaker of the House:

Honorable Rick Perry
P.O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711
Salutation: Dear Governor Perry,

Honorable David Dewhurst
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711
Salutation: Dear Lt. Governor Dewhurst,

The Honorable Tom Craddick, Speaker of the House
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
Salutation: Dear Speaker of the House Craddick,

Recall Alert!

ONETOUCH
If you are a user of the OneTouch: Ultra(R), OneTouch(R) FastTake(R), InDuo(R), EuroFlash(R), SmartScan(R), and PocketScan(R) Meters you need to be aware of an urgent medical device correction update. (April 12th 2005) This notice is in regards to the meter’s glucose units of measurement. Please visit their website to learn more or you can contact them at Lifescan #866-461-0124 or website

ANIMAS
The animas Corporation is issuing a recall notice on their insulin pump model IR1250. The recall involves the food database software program. If you are currently using this pump please contact Aniams #866-423-4087 or visit their website for instructions.

Dr. Ponder to Receive Award from ADA

Congratulations Dr. Ponder!! On June 4th 2005 the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association will honor Dr. Stephen Ponder with the Cure Care Commitment Award during their annual “Wishing for a Cure” Spring Gala Fund Raiser. Comedian Richard Jeni will perform this year’s event that includes a reception, dinner, a raffle and a live auction. If you would like to attend this fun filled evening Contact the ADA office @850-8778 to buy tickets

Summer Camps

Summer is just around the corner and now is the time to start thinking about a Diabetes camp to attend.
Camp Sandcastle is the local Day camp put on by the ADA. If you are interested in attending, contact Janie Bell at the local ADA office # 850-8778 ext. 1709. The camp will be held at the Texas A&M CC Early Childhood Center Building during the week of June 6th. They are already taking applications.
The Texas Lions also hold a week long sleep away camp in Kerrville. The campers must be at least 8yrs old to attend. You can contact any of the local Lion's Chapters to get information, or contact Dr. Ponders office for Applications. This camp will be held during 1 of 2 sessions at the end of July.(July 24-30th or July 31- Aug 6th) You can contact the Camp directly at #830-896-8500.

Both camp require you fill out an application to reserve your place and both require a medical form to be filled out in advance. So make sure you drop the applications off at Dr. Ponder's office before you mail them.
Feel free to contact if you have any questions.

Stem Cell Research Update

Caller Times Article
In the CC Caller Times Monday April 11th newspaper today, there was a wonderful forum article by our own local Rick Haley about stem cell research. It was perfect timming, because the Texas State Legislation met today to discuss several bills related to stem cell research. We will keep you updated on the results of these hearings. If you are interested in helping lobby for bills related to diabetes please let me know and I will send you the information.

First Blog

Welcome Corpus Christi Parents!!
This blog will serve as a place to share information related to diabetes events happening in Corpus Christi, Texas. It will also serve as a place to share any informaton relating to Diabetes and the care of our children. I hope you will find this site helpful and informative. The Parents Dealing with Diabetes Support group was develped several years ago and was active for about 2 years before the demands of running the support group became to great and I was unable to continue. The need of having a local support group never went away, so the staff at Driscoll's Endoncrinology Department convinced me to restart the Support Group. I agreed but with a twist. I am going to run the support group through this website. Many families do not have the time to attend a monthly meeting, but still would like to be kept informed of new information and local events. I believe this website will serve that need. We will still have quaterly meetings with the first occuring in June. We will have the meeting during the Camp Sandcastle summercamp to kick of the rekindling of the PDD support group. I am looking for parents who are willing to participate in the planning, organization, and running of the support group meetings to volunteer to be on the PDD Board. Any local Parents that would like to help form the PDD Support Group Board to please contact me by email or through Driscoll Endocrinology dept. Please feel free to contact me or send comments to the website if you have any questions. Also, this is a new experience for me. I have never run a blog before, so be patient as I learn the ropes.