Sgt. 1st Class Mark Thompson and Sgt. Maj. Scott Buhar on a Blackhawk during Thompson's deployment to Iraq. U.S. Army Photo
Posted on 01/18/2006 3:36:47 PM PST by SandRat
TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, Jan. 17, 2006) – The American Diabetes Association has created a teddy bear in honor of a diabetic patient who fought to deploy to Iraq after being medically excused.
After Sgt. 1st Class Mark Thompson discovered that he had type one diabetes in 2000, he had to begin a strenuous health regimen.
“I’m on an insulin infusion pump, with a catheter that goes through my stomach and gives me insulin shots every nine minutes through the day and every six minutes during the night,” said Thompson. “I have to change the catheter out every three days.”
Stationed in Germany with the 1st Infantry Division, Thompson was originally slated to be part of the rear detachment when the division was called up for duty in Iraq.
“I wanted to go and they said no,” said Thompson. “I didn’t like that answer and I told (my supervisor) that.”
Thompson said he needed to gain approval from the division surgeon before he could be considered for deployment because insulin can only be effective if it stays below 86 degrees.
“I found out that I could slip my pump inside of special coolant pouches and that would keep it safe in temperatures up to 110 degrees,” he said.
Thompson got his wish and was able to deploy after a long process in front of medical boards, and dealing with his chain-of-command and the surgeon.
“I took an eight month supply of everything with me: catheters, lancet and testers,” said Thompson. “So along with everything else included in normal battle rattle, I was carrying a duffel bag full of medical supplies.”
The career counselor did have to activate his contingency plans during his deployment because his pump broke. As a result, he had to switch back to using needles, which was crushed underneath his interceptor body armor.
Even with his complications, Thompson said he can’t imagine having been a part of the Army and not going into combat because, “it would be like being on a basketball team and sitting on the bench the whole time.”
The teddy bear created in his name wears a battle dress uniform and has an insulin pump. The inscription on the bear reads: I am Staff Sgt. Thompson, I am serving my country and I am a type one diabetic. Since then Thompson has been promoted.
“I could have easily gotten out of the Army, but I always wanted to be a Soldier,” Thompson said. “People assume that a diabetic or a person with a medical condition can’t deploy. But I did, and I was there, and it was worth it. From that I get a sense of pride and accomplishment.”
One DETERMINED WARRIOR!
WOW! I honor his determination.
bump
As a diabetic (Type 1), he is not only a determined warrior, he is my super hero!
Type 1 solidarity!
amazing guy.
“I have to change the catheter out every three days.”
My 14-year-old (Type1) says oh yeah!!
BTTT
a "Type I ain't gonna slow me down" BUMP! awesome.
I like that "Type 1 Solidarity"!
Yeah, we Type 1s never get the press. All the coverage is about the Type 2 epidemic. We have to remember--we are the elites of the diabetic world, and we don't need no stinkin' islets of langerhans!
Yeah, but I question his common sense; it's not just about him: him going low at a bad time could get somebody killed.
Type 1 solidarity - YEAH!
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