In last night’s episode of the coroner crime drama Body of Proof, the character of the daughter of the lead was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was done very well.
Life is going on and nobody seems to see anything coming. Grandma is at home with the teen while mom is at a business function. The teen is rushed to the hospital but nobody is sure why. Test show it is DKA associated with T1D.
Later we see mom and daughter in a hospital room. The girl has a bunch of IV tubes hanging. She is scared. Mom is scared. The girl doesn’t understand how she can have diabetes if she isn’t over weight diabetes.
Mom tells her that is type two and it is acquired but her diabetes is different.
The girl knows diabetes is incurable. She is afraid she will loose her legs or go blind.
Mom says, “You forget everything you have ever heard about diabetes. Okay? Those are misconceptions. It is a completely manageable condition... and I am going to be with you every step of the way. Okay.”
So many things right here:
- Diabetes sneaks up on you - you don’t see it coming.
- It is scary, for everyone in the family.
- There are different types of diabetes.
- Type 2 and type 1 are not the same thing.
- There is no cure.
- Forget the misconceptions.
- I am going to be there with you every step of the way.
There was more.
After the broadcast ABC ran a little PSA with the actresses Dana Delany and Mary Mouser on the set. They mention JDRF and speak of the kids and adults diagnosed by type 1 everyday, “like me” says the teen actress.
Wait! kid and adults... like me!
Yes. Mary Mouser, teen actress has T1D.
On the her twitter feed @MaryMMouser she wrote her goal “was to prove that Diabetes stops nothing! :)”
As the father of an aspiring young actor who also happens to be T1D the message that diabetes stops nothing is particularly poignant.
Thanks ABC.
Thank Body of Proof.
Mostly, thanks Mary.
Diabetes stops nothing!
(You can watch the episode here: http://abc.go.com/watch/body-of-proof/SH5580165/VD55179081/identity. The scene with the mom and daughter is at the end time at 40:30. Sadly the Public service announcement at the end of the broadcast is not included.)
Update: Scott posted a link the PSA in the comments, thanks Scott, here it is:
Wow. I've never watched this show, but it's good to see this issue covered so honestly and accurately. It's also nice to see a celebrity "come out" and reveal her T1. Is this the first time she's announced this?
ReplyDeleteI found the PSA here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3p310MzE6Q, if anyone wants to see it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Scott.
ReplyDeleteI agree mostly, however they should have shown her feeling sick for a couple days before. Diagnosis with DKA doesn't just pop on you in one day. Most people feel sick with no usual explanation preceeding the final Daibetes diagnosis
ReplyDeleteYes Dana that is a detailed choice they could have made still I think if I were to list the top thinks to get right they hit them all.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to watch it on On-Demand tonight! I feel asleep last night and didn't get the chance to watch it!
ReplyDeletePer Dana, there was some implication, including when she brings the picture to her mom's office, that she wasn't feeling well for some reason.
ReplyDeleteexcellent excellent episode. the cast empowered people with this diagnosis and the parents who fight for them everyday. well done. as a caretaker of so many with this diagnosis I applaud the diligence, care, and love that this episode clearly delivered :)
ReplyDeleteI always miss everything. Dang it! Sounds awesome!
ReplyDeletePart of the misconception is that all T2's are fat lazy no-goods that bring it all on theirselves. Bah!
ReplyDeleteWe just have lazy cells is what I tell everyone. But I am glad to see it out there They did a good job with it.
ReplyDeleteKaren.
ReplyDeleteI am a non obese type 2. myself. I respect the fact that this program addresses diabetes myths. I fact stay forget everything you have heard is a side story.
WOW! This is so cool! Thanks for letting me know!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying following Mary on Twitter now. I wonder if Children with Diabetes has reached out to her at all for a future conference.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear a tv drama finally gets it right! Will check it out.
ReplyDeleteThe newest episode 5:10-5:51 (Mind Games shown on 4/10, I'm watching on Hulu) shows Lacey (her mom is helping) inserting her new infusion set (Medtronic pump, pink just like my daughter's).
ReplyDeleteNice to know this storyline is being worked in and that the actress does have T1.
I think this is Great that that used a really T1D for the show. I just started watch it the last few weeks so I have some catching up to do.
ReplyDeleteI tried to watch you link but guess us Canadian can watch it.
I am in love with Mary Mouser.
ReplyDelete