Judge Sotomayor has type-1 diabetes

[berni_mccoy]

For those who live with this chronic disease, you know what this means from a Supreme Court pick.

For those who don't know what it's like, I can assure you, it means a great deal from a Health Care perspective. There ARE going to be cases against the government, insurance companies and doctors as we take steps toward Universal and potentially a Single Payer healthcare system. She, like many who suffer from type-1, have a keen perspective on what exactly is wrong with the system and a deep understanding for why stem-cell research is important.

I am extremely proud and relieved to have her as a Supreme Court nominee.

[xchrom]

1. having an illness -- i'm sure many of the post 60 crowd on the bench can relate--

doesn't mean they will AT ALL see eye to eye with you.

their health care is taken care of.

[berni_mccoy]

4. Type-1 Diabetes is far from a post-60 health issue... it's a life-long battle that starts as a child

I can assure you, she has a different perspective.

[xchrom]

5. r-i-g-h-t -- the age, the sex the whatever confirms a special significance

to the beareer of said disease -- then i a m Queen of the Universe -- and you need to kiss my pahtootie.

[Aloha Spirit]

6. why the sarcasm...it's like you don't even want to debate, just act superior.

There's a difference between having age related medical conditions and having lifelong medical conditions that require you to pay extra and do more to maintain health.
It's not the age, sex, condition that is significant but the life of experience that it confers.
Having type one diabetes, ... I'm interested in the argument that this doesn't confer unique perspective and experience.

[xchrom]

11. so the experince of a man at fifty having

a difficulty with say prostate cancer doesn't make him as qualified as someone younger?

i think that would surprise a good many people who suffer from chronic disease later in life.

[berni_mccoy]

12. It's ok. You don't get it. And it not showing any understanding for those with chronic illness

you probably expect it when people show no interest in caring about your issues.

[xchrom]

17. right -- i don't get what it's like to have a chronic illness.

stupidest thing YET any one here at DU has accused me of.

[Honeycombe8]

19. Prostate cancer isn't a chronic condition requiring daily injections, is it?

It might be. But I don't think so. It's an acute illness that is either cured...or not.

Diabetes, Parkinson's, and other illnesses in that vein (no pun intended), are serious medical conditions requiring daily medications and vigilence in lifestyle, doctor visits, etc.

[Honeycombe8]

18. Well, but it's similar to Type II, which usu. is diagnosed during middle age.

Isn't that correct? Except that Type I is not caused by lifestyle and is usually diagnosed during childhood (but not always).

[berni_mccoy]

20. Not really. Type II can be treated with drugs and is predominately a metabolic issue

where the body is unable to keep up with the amount of carbs consumed. The risk is very different. A type II wont' die within hours if they don't get insulin. A type-1 will. A type II won't die within minutes if they get too much insulin. A type I can. Insulin is basically a life support mechanism that requires constant monitoring.

[Jennicut]

10. I am diabetic and i'm 33. Many have it for years and years. And I pay copays constantly

as well as for medication, needles, insulin, test strips, etc.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. I am also relieved that she has been nominated!

[rvablue]

3. And her mother was a nurse. More added perspective. n/t

[NC_Nurse]

7. I agree. She has had this since childhood, when she was a kid from the projects

with a single mom. She is not someone who got an illness once they were successful and had health coverage.
I think that could be very valuable experience to bring to the bench.

[Parker CA]

8. This is a great thing. Hopefully when presented with cases focused on chronic diseases, she will be...

influential among the other members of the court

[Cha]

9. Like Martin Garbus says in his article..

<snip>

"Sonia Sotomayor brings to the Court the possibility, perhaps even only a remote possibility, of emulating these four great judges. That is more than enough reason to rejoice and to hope that Obama's choice will dramatically affect the lives of every American in the most wonderful possible way."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8433595

[AnnieBW]

13. One Justice with cancer, one with Type I Diabetes

The next time that there's a medical-related case before the court, this could get VERY interesting.

[elleng]

16. And I'm sure there are more, among the others;

these we happen to know about.

[opihimoimoi]

14. She is gonna get the nom...she is that good...D or not..The disease does not affect brains

[democracy1st]

15. this woman is brilliant maybe she'll share some of her health care tips and save lives :)