Dear Stephanie

Lots of people with diabetes, particularly the Type 1 crowd, pass along comments and, more often, criticism of incorrect or misleading information when they come across it. It can be exhausting to keep up with educating the world one misinformed (or sometimes, lazy) reporter at a time.

Others of us have a soapbox known as  "The Blog." Allow me to call your  attention to a badly written article posted today on the DaytonTribune.com, by an, I assume, young lady named Stephanie.

First, the headline: Diabetes supplies - do diabetics need to choose between dangerous drugs? Huh? Supplies are not drugs and drugs are not supplies. And, the rest of the piece doesn't back up this headline. (In all fairness, the writer may not have penned that clunker).

Second: Stephanie refers to the problems inherent in rushing "potential cures" out the door before they are properly tested.

True, but she uses Avandia as an example. Stephanie, a diabetes drug is not a cure. It is simply a treatment. And, apparently you haven't heard, but there is no cure for diabetes at this point in time. Maybe some day. But not today, probably not tomorrow either.

Third: "Insulin pens replace the need to inject insulin with needles." While I suppose technically the pens replace syringes, the pens themselves deliver the insulin via...a needle. And, while I have enjoyed the convenience of the pens in the past, the dosing has often been somewhat inaccurate. Oh, and the needle is sharp, no matter where it comes from.

Fourth: "Now technology has come up with battery power state of the art insulin pumps that when used in conjunction with glucose monitoring device can greatly improve the freedom a diabetic can now enjoy."

A little behind the 8-ball, here, Steph. Insulin pumps have been around for quite some time now and yes, they get better all the time. Glucose monitoring devices are not commonplace, though. And, quoting a study funded by a pump manufacturer, no matter how reputable, is kind of questionable. Of course, they are going to say their product is fantastic. It's called PR.

A little homework next time, please.

Theresa Flaherty