NY Times Today, "childhood diabetes"

[Sarah Maddie's Mom]

New York Times published today an article by Sarah Kershaw p.14 Week in Review section titled, " Don't Even Think of Touching That Cupcake". The piece discussed, in part, how schools cope with sweet treats in the classroom in this current environment of health consciousness. However, the author states, and I quote,

"While the merits of banning goodie bags filled with Reese's and Skittles seem obvious - especially at a time when the risk of childhood diabetes () is high for American children - many parents draw the line at cupcakes."

Please consider joining me in writing to the Times to alert them to this sloppy error by thier journalist. This is not the first such error by the Times but it is one of the most flagrant.

[Deannas mom]

The article is very mis-leading..if she were talking directly about type 1 diabetes..but as well all know..most people do not realize that there are two different diseases..
Her quote is correct as far as the incress of children being diagnosed with early onset adult diabetes. The rate of children developing type 2 has become very evident over the past few years. Actually thats what Deanna's Dr first thought Deanna had because she was overweight for her age. thas was until her blood work came back and a morning BG of 455 was taken after eating just a small bowl of cheeroos. Its really sad that the general public lumps all children being diagnosed with diabetes as one in the same disease. Thats why its so important to get our message out to anyone who will listen ( and to the ones who wont) that our children did nothing to get this monster, no mater how many cupcakes they ate.

[Julie]

GOSH yes this is irritating!!

I've already explained a thousand times, YES he can have that, NO he didn't get it from too much sugared cereal...*sighs*

The sad part is, the media could do so much good for the cause if they would only be more educated about the facts.

[Isabelle's Mom]

I've sent Ms. Kershaw an email. This happens so often, I should just save a formletter in MS Word and send it whenever there is an article like this!

[3js]

That bugs me. There is so much misinformation out there, people can hardly help being ignorant.

I asked about the carbs in the snowcone syrup at the fair, explaining that my son is diabetic. She didn`t want to sell me a snowcone after that, but did in the end.

[momofsingingdiabetic]

I emailed her also. Why does there seem to be an abundance of these articles lately?

[Sarah Maddie's Mom]

Thanks for they comment - It's great to be able to connect with other parents and not have to be this mad alone -

[yeswe'rebothD]

I emailed her too. I'm so tired of this crap!

[deafmack]

Originally Posted by Sarah Maddie's Mom

New York Times published today an article by Sarah Kershaw p.14 Week in Review section titled, " Don't Even Think of Touching That Cupcake". The piece discussed, in part, how schools cope with sweet treats in the classroom in this current environment of health consciousness. However, the author states, and I quote,

"While the merits of banning goodie bags filled with Reese's and Skittles seem obvious - especially at a time when the risk of childhood diabetes () is high for American children - many parents draw the line at cupcakes."

Please consider joining me in writing to the Times to alert them to this sloppy error by thier journalist. This is not the first such error by the Times but it is one of the most flagrant.

Well I did have to give them some credit as they do have a link online that explains the difference between the two types of diabetes albeit in a round about way. and they do need to say that Type 1 is an autoimmune disease and saying that you can't get type 2 from eating sugar either. I just wish they would get the facts straight. Sugar does not cause diabetes. If it did no one would be eating anything with it included.

[Isabelle's Mom]

Here's my message to the author of the article and her reply:

"Hi there, thanks for writing. I hear your concerns about using diabetes as a catchall term for both diseases. i would obviously have explained if the piece were about that, but i will check with the editors on whether we can do a clarification.

if you are in touch with other parents, as i received several emails like this, please pass that on. The paper takes diabetes in both forms very seriously and has written extensively on the subject, where there is the opportunity to explain the differences. thanks again --

Sarah Kershaw"

"Dear Ms. Kershaw, I was deeply disturbed and saddened when I read your article. My daughter has Type I Diabetes. I assure you, it has nothing to do with overeating. You are confusing it with Type II Diabetes. Type I, or Juvenile Diabetes, is purely an autoimmune disease. My daughter was diagnosed at 17 months, after eating a very healthy diet, and having never touched a cupcake. This confusion between Type I and Type II diabetes is common, and it causes all Type I diabetics and their families great distress to be blamed for their diabetes. It is not their fault! Can you imagine growing up with this stigma? Please, I implore you, research diabetes thoroughly and print a correction. Please don't propagate this misconception."