February 15, 2007
David Nanalook
David Nanalook is a traveler. He likes to get out and about where he's hunting, fishing, translating, and meeting with the people. He says he used to be shy, but that's hard to believe when you talk to him. As pastor of the Moravian Church, he's a born leader and just maybe he'll use his convincing skills to teach you a thing or two about what it's like to be diabetic.
Medications are tricky; they can be very good and they can be bad. Most of the time, people with diabetes take medication to help their body process the sugars as best it can. For David, taking the medications wasn't always good. He felt funny; he had buzzing; he just didn't like it. So he didn't take them.
Luckily, his provider listened to his concerns and was able to change the medication to better suit him. Oftentimes, it works that way--try something and then change it to best fit you. Well, after the change, David got it into his head, "You are master of your meds."
David's a popular guy. With his fun, uplifting energy, he gets invited to many potlucks and around here potlucks always mean lots of food, tasty food. He's learned to accept some offers and say "no thank you" to others. But it's been really hard, especially when it's something he loves, like akutaq.
Changes David has made
• Learning to say "no" when offered foods
• Learning how do you deal with foods you love to eat but know they can affect your diabetes
• Including more activity in your life
Hardest thing about having diabetes
Food changes, more walking, remembering to take medications, and not running out of medications.
His message about diabetes
• [Eating too much sugar is] "like putting gasoline in your food"
• People don't connect what we put into our bodies with what happens to us.