Experts Urge Parents to Read "The Challenge of Childhood Diabetes”

"There is a death due to diabetes every 10 seconds, and an amputation due to diabetes every 30 seconds. We are dealing with the biggest epidemic in world history," Martin Silink, International Diabetes Foundation, pushing for a U.N. resolution to make governments encourage more active lifestyles and better diets. November 13, 2006 (Reuters)

MARBLEHEAD, MA (November 17, 2006) Parents of children with diabetes need comfort, support and clear, easy strategies to strengthen their children’s health. The Challenge of Childhood Diabetes: Family Strategies for Raising a Healthy Child, www.challengeofdiabetes.com by Laura Plunkett and Linda Weltner is the most important new book on diabetes this year. The book chronicles how three generations of a loving family cope with the ups, downs, and life long challenges they face upon seven-year-old Danny's diagnosis. Now is the time to set up your interview to cover this growing childhood disease as viewed by the people who are living it.

The Challenge of Childhood Diabetes is an informative, easy-to-read family journey that has been hailed by book reviewers, medical professionals, and diabetes organizations as an important reference to families coping with childhood diabetes. Diabetes Positive characterized Danny's near-normal blood sugar levels as “something that is rare in pediatric endocrinology.” Renewal Magazine called The Challenge of Childhood Diabetes, "…. a gem of a book…inviting and comforting.” Tulsa Kids Magazine described the book as “…an honest personal account, offering support and helpful advice.”

The Plunkett's revel in their extraordinary “new normal” in which the family is healthier, happier, and closer than when Danny was first diagnosed. By using a team approach and switching to a whole-grain, complex-carbohydrate diet, Laura has inspired her family’s co-operation. As a family, they have learned the value of exercise, the importance of building their skills to cope with anxiety, guilt and hyper-vigilance, and the need to build a caring community.

Sadly, a large percentage of parents suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after their child is diagnosed with childhood diabetes. 22% of mothers meet full diagnostic criteria and almost half showed some symptoms. (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) These parents need The Challenge of Childhood Diabetes for help with the day-to-day management of diabetes, as well as for support, reassurance, and to guide them through the emotional land mines of caretaking. This groundbreaking book can make the difference between success and failure in helping children with diabetes avoid long-term complications. Laura Plunkett’s insights are invaluable to the distraught families caught up in the epidemic.

To set up your interview or for more information on the Plunkett family including photos, excerpts, additional endorsements, table of contents, the introduction, and author biographies, please visit www.challengeofdiabetes.com. Electronic or hard copies are available via e-mail by contacting vanessa@challengeofdiabetes.com or by calling 617.838.9456.


REVIEWS

“This book is a gem. It will most assuredly help patients, their family members and their friends as they meet the many challenges ahead including the compelling emotional issues largely ignored in the doctor’s office.”

Will Cross is the first person with Type 1 diabetes to summit Mt. Everest. He has reached both the North and South Poles and all seven of the highest continental mountain peaks.


“An extremely moving, personal and amazing journey told in a clear, honest and inspiring manner. This book will definitely help not only patients, their family members and friends, but also health care professionals.”
Eric S. Freedland, MD
Diabetes researcher and columnist, diabetesincontrol.com

“Laura Plunkett shares a detailed account of her family's journey from learning her son Danny has type 1 diabetes to assembling a team of clinicians to help the family meet their goals. Her story will help other families of children who have diabetes learn that they, too, are not alone in what sometimes seems an overwhelming task to manage their child's diabetes.”
Maryanne Quinn, MD
Endocrinologist, Children’s Hospital Boston

“This book is must reading for families with a diabetic child.”
Richard K. Bernstein, MD, FACE, FACN, CWS, author of Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution