National Diabetes Awareness Month
by EDR board member, Holly Wessels
“Do you want the good news first, or the bad news?” This was the question the doctor asked Holly’s mom. Holly was only 12 years old and had been sick for several weeks with what they thought was the flu, losing weight and not able to get out of bed. When she almost passed out at home, her mom decided it was time to take her to the doctor.
Blood tests were done, and it didn’t take long to get the diagnosis. That’s when the doctor entered the exam room and asked the question. Good news or bad news first? Her mom asked for the good news. He shared that what Holly had was controllable. Bad news? There was no cure, and she would have it for the rest of her life. The diagnosis was type 1 diabetes.
There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is typically diagnosed in childhood and is a result of the pancreas not making any insulin. Type 2 is usually diagnosed in later adulthood and is the result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body not using the insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. Too much or too little can cause symptoms such as shakiness, blurred vision, nausea, fatigue or in severe cases, coma.
Holly spent a week in the hospital, learning a new way of life. Testing her blood sugar, giving herself multiple shots daily and counting carbohydrates in everything she ate. The changes didn’t affect just her, but her whole family as well. After coming home from the hospital, everyone had to adjust to the new normal. No more sugar soda in the house, a strict meal schedule, and constant vigilance with Holly’s medical care. School also posed challenges with educating teachers and students about what to do in an emergency. Holly also felt like an outsider because she was allowed to eat in class and couldn’t participate in some of the gym activities.
Back then, type 1 diabetes wasn’t a death sentence, but it came with warnings about possible complications. Holly grew up thinking she might not be able to have children, may lose her eyesight or need to go on dialysis. Thankfully, by the time she was of childbearing age the insulin pump had been invented which allowed her to manage her disease well enough to have two children. She has so far avoided any major complications and continues to closely manage the disease with all the tools available today.
However, the disease still touches many aspects of everyday life and Holly is constantly reminded that she has a disability. Everyday activities such as housework or playing with her kids may result in low blood sugar and cause her to need to stop and eat something to raise her blood sugar. Eating out in restaurants is troublesome because it’s hard to gauge how many carbohydrates are in a meal, which usually leads to either under or overdosing of insulin. Stress and illness also impact blood sugar levels and require strict monitoring.
In the workplace, it has caused disruption and delays in her performing her job duties. She may need to step away from a meeting or arrive late due to fluctuations in her blood sugar. Thankfully, her employer is accommodating and supportive, allowing her extra breaks and the flexibility needed to attend to her blood sugar needs. These experiences have inspired her to be an advocate for all individuals with disabilities and led her to her current job as a Disability Specialist with Sanford Health Human Resources. In her role she assists employees with obtaining accommodations they need to be successful.
Although managing diabetes can be exhausting, Holly feels that in the end it has been a blessing in disguise. It requires her to take care of herself, eat better, exercise, see her healthcare provider regularly and continue hoping for a cure.
If you or someone you know has any of the following common symptoms of diabetes, you should discuss them with a healthcare provider.
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry, even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
- Weight loss even though you are eating more
Source: www.diabetes.org
Low Cost, High Impact
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) sent surveys to 26,028 employers who contacted them between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2024. This report draws from the 5,406 employer responses JAN received to the survey. Those who completed the survey represent a wide array of industry sectors (e.g., manufacturing, service, and wholesale/retail sales) and vary in size (from small businesses to global Fortune 500 companies). Surveyed employers include those who had previously contacted JAN seeking information about workplace accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or both. Approximately eight weeks after their initial contact, these employers were asked a series of questions about the situation they had discussed with JAN, the quality of JAN’s services, and the outcome of any accommodations the employer had subsequently implemented.
Of the survey participants, 1,425 (26%) provided information related to the cost of accommodations they had implemented. More than half (61%) of these respondents reported that the accommodations they made cost nothing to implement (e.g., modifying an employee’s work schedule, changing a company policy); 33% reported that their accommodations incurred a one-time expense, with a median cost of $300 (e.g., providing the employee with screen-reading software, installing an automatic door opener); and 6% said their accommodations resulted in ongoing costs, with a median annual cost of $2,400 (e.g., providing a sign language interpreter during meetings).
Surveyed employers who made workplace accommodations reported that the benefits far outweighed any associated costs. Such benefits included:
- Retaining valuable employees;
- Improving productivity and morale; and
- Reducing workers’ compensation and training costs.
Employers also reported that JAN understood and met their needs. In addition, 100% of employers stated they would use JAN’s services again for assistance with workplace accommodations.
Overall, the survey found that contacting JAN to obtain information on workplace accommodations—a free service—typically results in modifications that have a low cost and a high, positive impact for the employer.
Contact JAN at www.askjan.org.
Employment Disability Resources is proud to offer the Disability Inclusion Partner program!
In partnership with the Sioux Falls Disability Awareness and Accessibility Review Board (DAARB), we give local businesses who employ one or more people with disabilities an award to acknowledge and celebrate their diverse, inclusive workplace culture. Watch for the “Disability Inclusion Partner” sticker on the doors of local businesses.
Businesses that recently received a Disability Inclusion Partner award:
- Grille 26
- Wheelchair Dynamics
For more information about employing individuals with disabilities, please contact:
Vicki Stewart, Executive Director
Employment Disability Resources
2900 W. 11th Street, Suite 101, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-215-1760 or [email protected]