famousdiabetics

Each month we will feature 1 famous person who has been diagnosed
with Diabetes.

This Month we are Featuring Wilford Brimley.

Wilford Brimley is often called "the most recognizable grandpa in
America." He began his acting career in the 1960's as a cowboy stunt
man. He has appeared in TV shows such as "Gunsmoke" but it was not
until the 1980's when he had finally achieved star status in the movies;
"The Thing" and "Hotel". He has been in such movies as "Cocoon", "My
Fellow Americans", "In & Out","The Firm", and "Absence of Malice". He
also starred in a television show called "Our House" In addition to his film
and television work, Brimley worked for a time as the spokesperson for
the Quaker Oats Company and Liberty Life. Despite having type 2
diabetes, Mr. Brimley has had the determination and strength to make
himself a successful actor.

Mr. Brimley was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1934.
The following paragraphs are in his own words. (obtained via the web
from an interview) Within this article it distinctly highlights the type of
person he is, inspiring so many, and encouraging those with Diabetes
(Type II, as well as others) that they too can be successful.

"Everybody's got something, and my struggle has been with the adult
onset type of diabetes," says Mr. Brimley. "In my case, it started back
around 1980, when I put on a little weight and noticed that I was feeling
tired and cranky all the time.

"I went and complained to the doc, and about the first thing he did was to
check my blood sugar," he says. "Once the diagnosis came clear, I could
begin managing my disease."

For Mr. Brimley, that means checking his blood-sugar levels at least
three times a day. He must also take insulin regularly, unlike many
people with type 2 diabetes.

"Diabetes is no fun, but the good news is that you can manage it
successfully, if you work at it. That's what I've been doing all these years,
and it hasn't really slowed me down much at all ... even if I did stop
roping steers in rodeos when I turned age 65!" "The key to managing
diabetes is checking your sugar, and checking it often," says Mr. Brimley.

"Like most diabetics, I've found over the years that I need to
check my blood-sugar level at least three times a day, usually
before meals," he says. "That's extremely important, because if you know
that you're having problems controlling the amount of sugar in your
blood, you and your doctor can do something about it."

Mr. Brimley recommends several basic steps for those who have or might
have diabetes:

1 - If you do have symptoms that suggest diabetes, see your doctor
immediately for testing and diagnosis.
~The signs include frequent urination, chronic fatigue and weakness,
blurred vision and impaired sexual function, among others.

2 - Work with your doctor to set up the right diabetes regimen for you.
That should include changes in diet and exercise, weight loss (if needed)
for those with type 2 diabetes and regular blood sugar testing.
Medications that cut the amount of glucose in your blood and insulin
injections may be needed.

3 - Exercise regularly. Frequent exercise will help lower your blood sugar.
A brisk, 30-minute daily walk is the simplest answer.

4 - Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
dairy products and protein, but avoid excess
carbohydrates. A dietitian can help you plan a healthy diet.

"I've learned over many years that you can manage your diabetes, and
that you can enjoy a normal, active life as a result," he says. "This
disease doesn't have to beat you -- and it won't, if you just set your mind
to taking care of yourself day in and day out."

The reasons I have included so much of these words from Mr. Brimley is
because I believe strongly that they are very true and wise words to live
by. I truly hope that you take these words from a success story like Mr.
Brimley's seriously, along with other stories reflecting some of the stars
who have struggled AND still succeeded greatly in their lives, in the
coming newsletters.