“What if…”

November 25, 2008

I often ponder the ‘what if’s’ in my life and not to say that it’s a stage of regret or hindsight but rather – choices. Doors that may lead to different places or events in time.

I just received word this morning that a distant relative passed away from diabetic related complications that began with his feet. It began with neuropathy, minor foot wounds, then amputations ~ all over a period of a few years.

I remember being told about his diabetic condition and health over a year ago. To me, it was an easy ‘fix’ by merely educating family members about the importance of daily foot checks and proper footwear to AVOID the inevitable. I spent a considerable amount of time, offered personal ‘one-on-one’ education, sent literature, strongly encouraged talking to his doctor. The information was not given directly but sent along secondhand. I hadn’t spoken to Richard since I was a child, so I didn’t feel it was my place. Nevertheless, it was in good hands and delivered. I was told the information went unheeded, as did my offers for more direct education through a phone call.

When I was informed this morning of his ill-fate, the next sentence was “we offered the information, but they didn’t listen.” What if he had listened? What if he had taken just a few minutes each morning for his daily foot inspection — could the amputations have been avoided once neuropathy had set in? Could pain, suffering and ultimately his life been saved had he listened? I believe, yes.

My father, my grandmother and so many others I have known, all died of the same preventable diabetes related foot complications. At that time, we didn’t have the education or resources. But these times are different, we have the education, we have the information ~ How many lives can be saved if people just listened?

Each day I strive to educate people around the world on the importance of diabetic foot care. An article will soon be published in an international industry footwear magazine where I reach out to the industry, shedding light on our responsibility as retailers, manufacturers, distributors, to not only focus on sales, but to help educate consumers of the importance of good foot health and foot care in a time where diabetes is an epidemic.

Yet, maybe people don’t want to know so they close their ears to the strong messages with the mindframe, “that couldn’t happen to me”. But it does — it can happen to you, to your loved ones, friends, family…nobody is exempt from the ill-fate of diabetes and the great health concerns and complications it brings.

So, I sit here and try to find ways to reach more people through press releases, blog entries and reaching out to friends and family — what if people listened?

Richard, we will miss you. Your family will miss you and in your name I will share this with others so they will never have to say ‘what if…’

Maribeth Bunch, Founder – www.walk2bfit.com