A quick note from Gary…No Place for Judgment

As Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (and basal testing) comes to a close, I find myself marveling at how great my blood sugars have been for the past 24-hours.  It was my first “no hitter” in quite some time:  not a single CGM data point above or below my target range.  Of course, I haven’t eaten a thing for 24 hours.  Nor have I exercised.  And stress was nonexistent.  Certainly, a far cry from the topsy-turvy days I’m used to, with blood sugars that reflect the peaks and valleys of the days’ events.  So I probably should not read too much into how well I’m managing my own diabetes based on just the past day.

Since this was a day for atoning one’s sins and (hopefully) being inscribed into the “Book of Life” for another year, the word “judgment” comes up a lot.  Year-round, it is my job to evaluate others’ diabetes management and offer insight for helping them reach their personal goals.  Along the way, I know I’ve acted in a judgmental manner – accusing patients of not doing their best or failing to follow through on recommended courses of action.  For this, I apologize.  Unless you are an official “judge” (or the Almighty), there simply is no place for being judgmental.  We all have our reasons for doing what we do, and none of us is perfect, least of all me.  If I have ever treated you in a judgmental way, please forgive me.

We try really hard to make Integrated Diabetes Services a “judgment-free zone”.  Having clinicians who live with diabetes personally goes a long way towards achieving that goal, but it also comes from the down-to-earth personalities of our team members.  We have more than our share of “quirks” when it comes to our own diabetes self-management, and we appreciate that you have yours as well.  In fact, we wouldn’t want it any other way!

No matter what religion you follow, no matter your race, gender, nationality or football team loyalty, I wish you a happy and healthy year ahead.  As always, I hope you enjoy this edition of Diabetes Bites.  Please reach out if there is anything we can do to assist you or someone you care about.  Together, there is nothing we can’t accomplish!

– Gary

Gary Scheiner MS, CDE
Owner & Clinical Director