What is that on your belt?
What is that on your belt?
I’ve been asked this question a kazillion times in SL & RL, and you know what? I’m very happy to respond to what is on my belt.
It’s an insulin pump. I am a diabetic. I’ve had type 1 diabetes for over 20 years now and by choice, I have been on an insulin pump for almost seven years. To keep it short, the pump provides a much better lifestyle in terms of flexibility and managing this disease easier. Plus, I rather stick one needle in my body once every three or four days, than two or three needles a day! However, let me say, it’s not 100% awesome. Living with a machine stuck on ya 24/7 is no treat! Getting the tube bunched in my undies is not pleasant, and it’s no fun when the pump gets wrapped around my dog while we are asleep at night!
Anyhoo, I wanted to share this itty bit of knowledge with the SL community about the insulin pump. The pump I wear in-world is created for free by Noelyci Ingmann of Ingmann Design Group. There is a cool feature that comes with this pump, it reminds me every 90 minutes to check my sugars, which is good, cause sometimes you just loose track of time while designing/chatting/blogging/shopping etc…
Noelyci has provided a notecard, that comes with the pump, that further explains why it was created in-world. “….The idea behind this Insulin Pump is to educate you and those around you to a small portion of what it means to be diabetic. The pump is a visible symbol of being diabetic and may prompt questions. This is a teaching opportunity… To learn more, or to support the search for a cure please visit: http://www.jdrf.org “
January 9, 2009 at 3:09 am
Thanks for blogging this! I am glad you like it and it’s been helpful. Let me know if you need anything!
August 24, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Thank you for posting this. My 5 year old daughter has diabetes and is afraid to get the pump. We have a constellation this week though and I hope that it enhances her life. This isn’t an easy disease to live with, but I’m so happy that it’s manageable. Seeing people with the pump is beginning to comfort her. Sure would beat three shots a day! Best wishes in health! Aimy
August 25, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I’ve been a pumper for 7 years now, previous to that, I did shots for 14 years. Let me say, life is super easier on the pump for me! It’s not easy being a child with this disease, nor will it be easy to be on a pump at that age. However the long-term benefits will outweigh the possible downfall of adaption to it. My toughest problem was trying to get dressed with a pump or even managing going to the washroom. That tube gets in the way and somehow wraps around your clothing in the weirdest ways
I wish your family, especially your daughter the best of luck. Let her know that the pump comes in some funky colours and that she can take on a new name like the ‘bionic pump girl’…