Has the ADA abandoned us?
It was support group time. “How many of you belong to the American Diabetes Association?” I asked.
No hands were raised.
Huh.
“How many of you use to belong?”
Every hand in the room went up, including mine.
All the ADA does in my state is have diabetes walks to raise money. At the clinic we can’t even get their help with education materials.
Maybe it’s time for a new organization to represent us.
No hands were raised.
Huh.
“How many of you use to belong?”
Every hand in the room went up, including mine.
All the ADA does in my state is have diabetes walks to raise money. At the clinic we can’t even get their help with education materials.
Maybe it’s time for a new organization to represent us.
posted by Wil | 6:32 AM
7 Comments:
I showed up about 45 minutes after my local walk ended and the only reminder that it had even occurred was one lonely red balloon. Yeah, I think they have abandoned us.
The ADA hired a Texas telemarketing firm which has been calling me several time a day, and been very nasty when told to stop calling.
I looked them up. The State of Washington list of charities reveals that this telemarketer keep s66% of all the money they raise.
They seem to have gotten my phone number from the ADA since I contributed a while ago.
SHAME!!!
Plus, of course, the way the ADA has lobbied for years against lowering blood sugar targets and their toxic recommendation, still, of the HIGH CARB diet for people with diabetes.
Definitely
I did receive some good materials regarding schools, students and discrimination. Now let's see whether they will provide an attorney...
First and foremost, the ADA is not now and never has been a patient organization (no matter what they claim) it has always been a doctors' organization, and one whose loyalty to the diabetes community seems questionable. Its a shame, but as others have noted, the ADA seems willing to partner with almost anyone (why, for example, does the ADA logo appear on Log Cabin Syrup?) rather than being selective about the partnerships they form. For that reason, many patients have abandoned them.
I also received some telemarketing calls from the ADA, and I told them that I would help, and promptly threw the stuff they sent me in the trash. Sorry, my fundraising is for JDRF only.
When I was diagnosed with type 1 almost four years ago, my mother immediately signed up for one of the automatic monthly donation plans to the ADA, and she was signed up for some sort of e-mail newsletter in the process. After only about a couple of months of the newsletter, she was disgusted by the organization (mostly by the endorsements, I think) and called to cancel the donation plan. (She switched over to a monthly donation to JDRF.) THEN the ADA kept heckling her with phone calls to start donating again! Needless to say, she didn't give them any more money.
Sara, oh dear, that is so depressing! I completely agree with everyone else's statements. ADA seems more focused on just taking care of type 2 diabetics than helping type 1 diabetics or finding a cure. I understand that's also important, but they shouldn't fundraise for a cure if they money won't go there! I tell almost everyone family with diabetes to get involved with JDRF. While it isn't perfect, it's a hell of a lot more focused on its priorities!
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