reviews

We will be profiling your book in the next edition of

the Australian Diabetes Educator.

Jayne Lehmann RN CDE

Managing Editor

Australian Diabetes Educator

Book Review

Lyn Wiegmans believes that living with diabetes for more than 50 years makes her an authority on the topic. After reading her book, I would have to say that she certainly taught me a thing or two about what it is like for someone to have type 1 diabetes for such a long time.

Semi-biographical, the book fulfilled a dream Lyn has had for many years, to write a book about living with diabetes. She wanted to increase awareness and highlight the role her family has played in the care of her diabetes. Written in a very easy to read style, it makes for a compelling read.

Lyn’s story gives an insight into the emotional and life impact of diabetes. Poignantly recalling the pain and exhilaration of her journey to motherhood, Lyn illustrates the personal toll diabetes can play on an individual.

This is a very personal story that Lyn has chosen to share with us all. It will provide diabetes educators without diabetes with insights they may not have previously had and people with diabetes confirmation that they are not the only one facing life’s challenges with the shadow of their diabetes constantly present.

Lyn Wiegmans book on her struggle with Diabetes brought home to me the daily

battle she has with this debilitating disease. Lyn tells her story of her life-long fight with this disease with honesty and clarity sprinkled with her great sense of humour.

Her tragedy at not being able to have the children she so desperately wanted, the daily fight to keep her sugar levels at their optimum level and her regular hypos gives us a glimpse into her private world of teetering on the edge. The travel list tips for diabetics are a great self-help tool too.

This book is a helpful tool to understand this illness and offers information and education on this subject to non-suffers, and suffers alike.

Lyn, I congratulate you on your achievement at writing about your life story and being the great and inspiring person you are.

Ricky Hunter, author of the book Point Last Seen.

Hope this letter finds you well. I was impressed with how well your book was written Lyn and how beautifully it communicated the trials and successes of living with diabetes. You are a born author and should write more.

Margaret Geideman, Nurse, Tennessee, U.S.A.

I finished reading your book a couple of weeks ago. Thank you for allowing us to read your book . I found it inspiring and I wish you all the best for future publications. It is clear to see you are a courageous woman prepared to take up the challenge each and every day of your life.

Nicole Braidwood – ID4U Designs - Brisbane

I had the opportunity to read your book over the last week and I was amazed at how much I do not understand Diabetes and what emotional effect, as well as the physical, this disease has on you. Your book has given me an insight into what is happening to my daughter and I thought you were a very brave lady to tell it all.

Lee-Anne Kerr – ID4U Designs – Brisbane www.ID4U Designs.com.au

It is great and funny and I recognize some parts of it as well. It must be a hard job to write all of your memories down and make a book of it as well. Elly and I are very proud of you. You are so positive and capped your sense of humour off in all ways with the threat of your disease always present.

Elly and Frans Wiegmans – Holland

Lyn’s warmth and strength is inspirational. After reading

“Life By The Clock” I felt I had at last met a friend who really understood the battle.

Diana Lambley – Type 1 Diabetic for over 45 years

What I notice from your book was the fact that you had a lovely mother. She stood behind you all the time and supported you. Having a person like your mother and then later a husband as Cass who have helped you so much is the most important thing. Just as important is the fact that you are a very optimistic person. You have had such a life to write a book as so many things have happened to you but you still kept going on. You didn’t give up and your son and later Cass were so important for you that with everything that had happened you never gave up the fight with your personal goals or your illness.

You have a very humorous way of putting words down which makes your book so easy and enjoyable to read. I am positive that a lot of people who have diabetes will find a lot of support with your book and hope that they will persevere as you have done and know that you can still live with diabetes.

Theresa Stephenson – Holland

What a journey writing and publishing your book is taking you on….

A personal memoir just for your family, which grew to be a book which is being distributed all around the world…. Bringing you in contact with people from all over the world who have or know someone with Diabetes…. Having to overcome your qualms about public speaking, in order to address students and groups interested in your journey…. Being thrown into the public eye via the Media- television, radio, newspapers and magazines…. And coping with all this pressure and change with your usual good humour and optimistic outlook.

Congratulations, and I look forward to seeing your development in the future, and can only guess at where the journey might take you next!

With love, enormous admiration, and all the best wishes,

Carol and Maxxi – Brisbane – Australia

I read your book the day I brought it home, finding it not only an entertaining and sometimes funny read, but also it gave me an insight into how diabetes had affected the lives of my nephew and niece, especially in her struggle to have her gorgeous little girl.

I think most of us understand what diabetes is, but few realize the impact it has on people’s lives, not only the person who has it but also those close to them.

Yvonne Terechow – Brisbane, Queensland

Diabetes Dynamic Intent newsletter Dec 07

For the last road-test of the year, Adam Dart was given the chance to read Lyn Wiegmans’ book "Life by the Clock – Living with Diabetes." Here are his thoughts:

I thought the book was very dramatic with poor Lyn having to go through so many life changing situations. She showed great courage and determination with persistence to continually keep her health on track. I would recommend this book to anyone as it is very inspirational and shows that people can overcome tough hurdles throughout their lives. There was one thing that confused me a little and that is when Lyn was stressed she said her sugar levels would go down and I have always been under the impression that stress increased sugar levels? I believe that living with diabetes is very much trial and error and as the title of Lyn’s book "Life by the clock" your constantly checking and re checking sugar levels and what you are putting into your body. Understanding the way emotions and exercise can impact on your sugar levels, its all about timing. I would like to congratulate Lyn on a great book that can educate people with diabetes and their family members and close friends to better understand the disease.

Adam Dart, Southport

Lyn your book is a revelation of what and how you have survived,

especially during the trauma with your pregnancies, and the

insensitivity of the nurses to your situation. How does the profession

treat Mum's that have losses today? Are they also left in rooms with

other mothers or do they go home sooner now?

Your Mum was a great inspiration in your life. Your medical team,

friends, family and of course, your husband Cass is a hero.

Medical treatment sure has changed from those days, but is still a

mystery as to who or why people suffer from this condition, and all

need to be assessed independently for their own well being.

Best wishes to all for Christmas and the New Year.

Love from Shirley & Bill Blake, Melbourne, Australia

Dear Lyn,

Thank you for the opportunity of reading your book. I started it Sunday afternoon and read it in one sitting. Just couldn’t put it down. Had me in tears of what you have been through. Can’t wait to catch up with you again and chat some more.

Tracey Tainsh – Queensland – Type 1 diabetic for over 27 years

Thank you very much for sharing many of your life experiences with us in your book. It was very instructive for me since I did not know much about diabetes before, and it made me think about so many other things (human and social realities) and I knew so little and what was so important and determinant for the affected people. I admire your enthusiasm and positive messages despite your struggle. I am also happy for you and Cass to have the kind of life you always look forward to, and I am happy that Adrian has beautiful parents like you two.

All the best for all your family, friends and cats!!!!

Dr. Gabi Kramer

I cried and cried for the first 22 pages. I couldn’t put the book down. I read on and I cried some more, and laughed. You are a remarkable woman and what a remarkable story. And Cass – what a lovely man – I knew he was going to be the fellow at the door (p.74) – a real knight in shining armour. It’s a real heartfelt story with a fairytale ending.

What an accomplishment. You should be very proud of yourself and what you have achieved in your lifetime.

Faith Newman, Cairns, Queensland Australia