Not So Sweet: Living with Diabetes

Because the treatments for diabetes have become so sophisticated, many people forget that it is still a serious, life-threatening medical condition. People diagnosed with diabetes who choose to ignore it ("I feel fine") do so at their own peril as this tape shows: untreated, the disease can cause blindness, amputation, kidney failure and, ultimately, death. On the other hand, many diabetics also find that other people do not take their condition seriously, even though every day of their lives is a careful dance of blood checks, special diet, regimented exercise, and insulin injections. This Canadian production examines holistic treatments available at Canada's Aboriginal Wellness Center, visits the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, and touches on the higher incidence of diabetes in Native American, African-American and Hispanic communities. The only caveat for U.S. viewers is that medical costs and insurance never concern Canadians because they have government-sponsored health care, while a "pre-existing" condition like diabetes can literally be a kiss of death for Americans who change jobs and insurers. An excellent production for those libraries that can afford it. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)