By Juanita McDermott
sugar monsters attacking my pancreas, painting on whiteboard by Desmond McDermott, photograph by Juanita McDermott, © 2007, all rights reserved
Cure Diabetes, photograph by Juanita McDermott,
with assistance from Dezy McDermott, © 2007,
all rights reserved
Reflection Of My World, photograph by Juanita McDermott, © 2007,
all rights reserved
Prickly Little Fingers, photograph by Juanita McDermott, © 2007,
all rights reserved
About Photography: I’ve been taking photographs for about a year. I only recently discovered what a passion I had for it after someone showed me how to use flickr to drag and drop photos into my work blog. flickr is like an adult MySpace; it allows you to share your photos with people all over the globe. Now my work blog is extinct, replaced by my photography and flickr.
Since my six-year-old son is Type 1 diabetic (he was diagnosed at the age of two), I decided to start shooting photos of diabetes related topics. I formed a group on flickr called Diabetes Art for people to express what it’s like living with Type 1 diabetes and its complications. Type 1 diabetes is serious in and of itself, but it can lead to other serious health issues.
My goal was to create art pieces with used diabetes supplies –syringes, test strips, insulin vials, infusion sets, finger prickers, etc. These supplies were such a part of my son’s life and my life -I wanted to create something out of them other than what they really stood for. I was amazed to see that many people quickly joined the diabetes art group on flickr and began creating art pieces of their own to shoot and post. I was soon interacting with people all over the world and learned how diabetes is treated and managed in developing countries.
My son, Dezy, got very excited about the new group and created a few pieces of his own. He loves helping me when I’m working on my pieces. When I was ready for a new one, I gave Dezy my first digital camera, a Canon Powershot S30. I upgraded to a Sony DSC-H5 camera, which my husband researched and purchased. There’s a lot I don’t yet know about the features on this camera, but that’s OK. I’m having a lot of fun as it is.
Dezy was invited to represent the state of New Mexico in Washington, DC, for Children’s Congress on June 17th-20th. My family and I are completely dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes, and my son dreams of a day when he is free of this disease. We’re looking forward to sharing with all the US senators and congressional representatives what Dezy’s life is like living with Type 1 diabetes. Dezy and I will take plenty of photos and share them with all of you on my flickr account.
a few members of my family have diabetes. I really like these photos
Good job
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Hello Juanita from Ottawa!
Who’d of thunk it? Art from
diabetic supplies! I love
‘Stuck In The Middle’!
Dezy and family are going to Washington!?
Wow! That is So Amazing!
Millions of US citizens have
Diabetes. Canadians, too.
We gotta stick together!
Best to you and yours, dear!
Keep up the good work!
Cheers!
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What drew me to your artwork, Juanita, was how you transformed this reality of diabetes into art. How you decided to look at it all – even if for only the moments in which you created the pieces – differently. And how it involves all your family, especially Dezy.
Love that line, Mike: We gotta stick together!
I’m curious as to what became of the physical pieces.
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Juanita: your work is very powerful. I’m struck by how you have taken something life-threatening and difficult and transformed it with the practice of your art. Not only that, but you have inspired a community following of other families looking for support:
I was amazed to see that many people quickly joined the diabetes art group on flickr and began creating art pieces of their own to shoot and post. I was soon interacting with people all over the world and learned how diabetes is treated and managed in developing countries.
A great gift. It seems to me your son is a brave warrior. You mentioned that he has created a few art pieces. And helps you with your work. What a healing process for both of you.
I think many take good health for granted. And it is good you are bringing attention to the impact on families. My brother has been through two liver transplants. It was amazing how our family rallied around him and pulled together to support him (and each other) during those times.
What he has gone through changed all of us. It can be really healing to find community in this way – whether family or fellow artists and photographers.
One last thing, I saw some of your other work on flickr and you have a great eye for photography. And you’ve only been shooting a year? Keep going! Your work will take you far.
Keep us posted on your June visit to Washington with Dezy. Maybe you can come back and give us an update. Thanks for joining us here.
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I am impressed. At the time of his death, my father showed signs of (type 2?) diabetes. Did this accerate his condition? Hard to say, but it made me and my younger sister aware of the disease. My sister is dedicated to the Tour de Cure, a bike-a-thon where all proceeds go towards finding a cure to the disease. She participates every year. If a cyclist asks you to pledge for this year´s event, please do so.
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You have a great eye for form and the creative use of non-artistic, or rather, non-traditional forms for expression.
Better said, in a 1000 years I would not have placed syringes in such a pattern, photographed it, utilized the colors that you have, and so on. Which is what an artist does. Have a wonderful trip and post your and your son’s experiences for all of us.
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mimbresman, I have a friend who just returned from the Tour de Cure bike-a-thon and she has sent me some photos which I will post on flickr soon. We also donated to this event as well.
ybonesy, I normally take apart the art pieces and then create more pieces with them. I’m also thinking of making a few art pieces for Dezy’s doctors or mini-med educators (the makers of the insulin pump).
Thanks all of your for comments.
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I was just now looking at the photos again and I realized how much anxiety I have when it comes to needles. The art pieces don’t necessarily counter that anxiety, yet they do something to it. I’m not sure what it is. I just know that when I look at the needles in the first photo (Stuck in the Middle), I feel that familiar faintness. But when I pull back and look at it, it goes away.
I just have to say, not having ever met Dezy I have a feeling he’s just an incredible child and human.
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I am already Juanita and Dezy’s biggest fan. And I am the biggest diabetaphobic in my corner of the earth.
It’s a journey of deep passions and anxieties that Juanita’s pictures take me through. I can’t create anything with the depth that her pictures that tell the story of the fight with ‘sugar monsters’ depict. She has the personal edge that focuses her determination, and that’s what makes her pictures super-special.
We all pray for a cure for all serious diseases and Diabetes Mellitus (both Types 1 & 2) is THE most widespread, dangerous and rapidly increasing disease there is.
Juanita is waging her art of love against DM not just for her son, but for every Type One DM patient.
Compassion and respect are due to Juanita !!!
With sincerest friendly support – h.
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Well said, Heather.
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Heather,
Thanks so much for commenting. Also, thank you for all your hard work and the time you give to help other people manage their diabetes in your country.
Take care
-Juanita
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Juanita–I love your diabetis artwork. I hadn’t seen it before on Flickr. It is beautiful and meaningful. Its also great to hear how Dezy participates and creates some of his own. This must be a transformative experience for him. (The diabetis art and process of creating it would make a great documentary short, btw)
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Juanita, i totally love your art work. I must have missed these posts and i’m sorry that i did. i’m glad that you started the flickr group. i can’t believe how many great connections around the world i’ve made via fun groups on flickr. so glad to know you and can’t wait to meet both you and Dezy sometime soon.
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Juanita –
I really enjoyed this piece. The picture that struck me most was Prickly Little Fingers. While the needles invoke a visceral reaction from most people they do not have that impact on me. The used test strips represent to me the impact of the disease has on your life because you end up living your life by these numbers.
I have been taking prednisone for over 25 years, the last 14 as in part of my immunosuppressant therapy for the two liver transplants I have had. A result of this long term use causes me to have drug induced diabetes. I am currently able to control my diabetes through diet and prescription medications but for a few years was insulin dependent. I didn’t mind taking the insulin but taking multiple blood glucose level tests took its toll on my fingers and forearms. My blood glucose levels had a direct impact on what I could and couldn’t do. For example if I wanted to take a long hike or do some heavy work in the yard, I needed to take the impact on my “sugar levels” into account. If I wanted to eat out with my family or go to a family gathering, I had to adjust my insulin based on how much I thought I would eat. These are the things the most people don’t realize unless they have direct contact with the disease, either as a diabetic or being close to a diabetic. These are also the things I think people should learn about the disease and its impact on the individual and their family.
One of the things I have learned from having a chronic disease is that, for me, I had to decide if I would allow the disease to control me or if I would control the disease. After my first liver transplant, with a daughter who was 1 1/2 years old and a son yet to be born, my mother was concerned about me and suggested that I might want to consider not kissing my daughter good night because kissing her could increase my chances of getting sick. I decided to continue to kiss her goodnight because we both found comfort in that routine and I was determined to live life on my terms. That choice enlarged the bubble I would live in and set the groundwork for future decisions about what I could and couldn’t do. By taking control of my life and adjusting my activities to the limitations this disease brings I have been able to do almost anything I wanted and reduced the artificial barriers that were implied by having a chronic disease. Have I gone too far at times and paid the price? Yes! Would I want to change those times? Never!
My advice to someone with a chronic disease would be to become knowledgeable about the disease. Learn as much as you can so you can make intelligent decisions, then use that knowledge to prepare for those times you may go beyond your limitations. Don’t place artificial limitations on yourself because you have a disease, try things that interest you but in a way where you are prepared for anything. Learn what your limitations are first hand. For example, when I was taking insulin and would go out with friends hiking, along with my normal pack I would take my test kit, insulin, needles, fruit, candy bars, glucose tablets, etc. I would make my friends aware of the symptoms I might exhibit if my blood glucose level was low and would plan breaks into the hike to check my levels and to have a snack. As I did this more and more I started to become more attuned to my body and could better prepare for the impact my activities would have on me.
This is how I have lived my life and this approach has allowed me to live a rather full life. I don’t allow artificial limitations to be set for me. I got out and live life and adjust my activities to what I know my body can handle. I hope your son can do the same.
I am so happy that you and your son seem to be embracing the challenges his diabetes is presenting him and your family. It is good to see that you are taking such a positive and somewhat playful approach to letting others know what diabetes is and how it impacts diabetics. Keep exploring and learning, you seem to be on a good path.
-Louis
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Kelli and Deanna,
Thanks for you comments and encouragment to continue creating diabetes art.
-Juanita
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Louis,
Thank you for sharing your story with me and for not letting your illness get in your way of living your life the way you want to. You have given me good examples to approach life differently when faced with all the challenges of having a child with diabetes.
Best wishes to you and your family.
-Juanita
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Juanita,
You’ve turned something difficult and demanding (your son’s diabetes) into something beautiful and rewarding. The work you and many others are doing is really impressive, and I’m sure it will continue to affect the way we see and think about this serious health problem.
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As a fellow photocompulsive (hope that doesn’t insult you, Juanita), I am wowed by the creativity and uniqueness–not to mention beauty–of your work. Hope liberating it must be for both you and Desmond to transform the implements of fear and anxiety into art, the universal language, which for me is always life-giving, hopeful, and spiritually enriching. I applaud you for your art and also for mothering such a sweet, brilliant and beautiful son. Fondly, eris
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Juanita,
I just saw all of your beautiful work. Thank you for sharing it with me. I just want you to know what a special person you are and how greatful I am to be considered your friend. You Dez and Bob and our angels are always in my prayers.
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Juanita,
I found your work on the recommendation of my daughter. Congratulations on a most interesting approach. Cure Diabetes immediately caught my eye. I find it a simple (the best kind), powerful work of art as it is. However, I can easily envision Cure Diabetes as a large piece of architecturally related sculpture.
Also, I am especially taken by your son’s piece, “sugar monsters attacking my pancreas.” The work appeals to me artistically and personally as well as on several other levels.
Ironically, my father drew for me a similar picture several years ago. It was his description of how his throat felt during the final stages of cancer. It was the last drawing he ever did.
I look forward to seeing more of your individual and collaborative works.
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The idea of Cure Diabetes as a large sculpture is a good one. I also found the 3-D pieces were worthy of exhibit as such. And, Dezy’s whiteboard drawing is beautiful and dreamy and haunting all at once.
Juanita is on the road right now. She sent an email today saying she snapped photos of a huge tornado and managed to get them placed on her flickr site. Check it out if you get a chance.
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Woody, thanks for the sharing your father’s story about his drawing. It really touched my my heart.
We will be in Washington, DC next week and when I return I plan to pick up on the diabete arts pieces to post and share with others.
Take care
-Juanita
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[…] The Art Of Love by Juanita McDermott […]
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auntie i want to cry about the picture dezy drew, i just decided to google him, and this popped up. idk how often you check this. i love you guys
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I just stumbled upon this wonderful artwork and narrative today. I was truly overjoyed and amazed at the power and beauty of the photos and the writings you and Dezy created. My love and blessings to you both.(P.S. I think this work should form an ensemble piece for your kitchen wall. )Grandma aka Charlene
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