Daniel, now 14, is stable, but the
condition still flares up now and
then. He remains under the supervi-
sion of a hematologist.
Daniel was home-schooled for
most of the fifth grade and missed
two months of school in the sixth
grade. He studied for his bar mitzvah
with a rabbi who came to the house.
Daniel has no choice; he needs to
treat his disease wherever he goes.
The good news is that he no longer
gives himself insulin shots; he's on an
insulin pump, a small gadget about
the size of a pager. Inside, the pump
has a container for insulin and a small
microchip that tells it how much
insulin to pump into his body
through a thin piece of tubing to a
tiny needle inserted under the skin.
"We wanted Daniel to take responsi-
bility for himself and pleaded with the
doctors so that Daniel could be put on
the insulin pump," says Levenson.
"We wanted him to have some flexi-
bility and to be able to choose what he
wanted to eat and be able to enjoy
being a kid. We knew he could do it
with our support, but he had to learn
how to program the pump. At that
time, at the age of 12, he was the
youngest child to be on an insulin
pump.
"He has been an outstanding role
model for all of us," says Levenson.
"He has his moments, but, for the
most part, his outlook is positive.
More importantly, he makes himself
available to help others, volunteering
at Temple Emanu-El, helping seniors
get started with computers, or chang-
ing a light bulb for a neighbor. He's
grown up beyond his years."
Daniel understands that insulin is
not a cure for diabetes. "When I first
understood what was wrong with me,
and what I would need to do just to
make it through a day, I was very
angry," says Daniel. "Then I said to
myself, 'That's not going to do any
good. Better I should help find a cure
for diabetes.'"
The Levensons, their family and
friends, are major participants in the
September Walk to Cure Diabetes
sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes
Foundation Metropolitan Detroit
Chapter. The walk takes place on
Sunday, Sept. 17, at the General
Motors Tech Center in Warren and in
Ann Arbor at Domino's Farms.
Daniel is captain of the Levenson
Team. He designed the team T-shirt
and helped collect pledges.
❑
To join the Levenson Team or to
make a pledge, e-mail your name,
address, phone number and e-
mail address to Daniel at tvn-
erd2001@aol.com , or call the
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation,
(248) 569-6171.
Warning Signs
Diabetes can be accompanied by
unusual thirst, frequent urination,
abnormal hunger or fatigue, sudden
weight loss, blurred vision, unexpect-
ed weakness, feeling edgy and having
mood changes, feeling sick to your
stomach and vomiting.
Diabetes Facts
There are an estimated 800,000 peo-
ple with type 1 diabetes in the U.S.
today.
The risk of developing type 1 dia-
betes is higher than all other severe
chronic diseases of childhood.
Peak incidence occurs during
puberty, around 10-12 years of age in
girls and 12-14 years of age in boys.
The symptoms can mimic the flu
in children.
Type 1 diabetes tends to run in
families. Brothers and sisters of chil-
dren with type 1 diabetes have about
a 10 percent chance of developing the
disease by age 50.
Notes
The Alliance for the Mentally Ill of
Oakland County will meet 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 28, at Beaumont
Hospital, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road,
Royal Oak.
Dr. Daren Gregg Kest of West
Bloomfield was awarded a fellowship
for head and neck micro-vascular free
flap surgery under the auspices of Dr.
Ronald Haymaker at the Methodist
Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind. Dr.
Kest is a graduate of the Michigan
State University College of
Osteopathic Medicine. He completed
a residency in general surgery, oto-
laryngology and facial plastic surgery
at POH Medical Center in Pontiac.
The Division of Podiatric Medicine and
Surgery at Pontiac Osteopathic
Hospital and Medical Center has hon-
ored Dr. Sheldon Jay Goldstein. He
was recognized for his 15 years of
achievements and contributions as
chairman of the division. An associate
of Drs. Michael Salter and Stacy B.
Moss at various locations, he also is
clinical director of the POH podiatric
medical and surgical residency program.
Dr. Jeffrey Zaks of
Farmington Hills
has been appointed
to the position of
vice president of
medical affairs at
Southfield-based
Providence Hospital
and Medical Centers. He will act as
chief medical officer.
wheelchair accessible and has an auto-
matic-door button. Transportation to
meetings will be provided when nec-
essary.
For information, call Kari Provizer,
(248) 661-5700.
Cancer Support
At Adat Shalom
A faith-based spiritual support group
for Jewish cancer patients, survivors
and their families will begin a 10-
week session 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday,
Sept. 12, at Adat Shalom Synagogue
in Farmington Hills.
The free weekly program is held in
conjunction with the Karmanos
Cancer Institute and Rabbi Herbert
Yoskowitz. Topics will include build-
ing spirit, helpful tools within
Judaism, prayer and coping mecha-
nisms. Group leaders are therapist
Brenda Beron and social worker
Patricia Milner Sachs.
To register, call (800)-Karmanos.
Sports
To have an event included in the
Notes column, send all informa-
tion at least two weeks in advance
to Alan Hitsky, Detroit Jewish
News, 27676 Franklin Road,
Southfield, MI 48034.
Life Center
Support Group
The Physically Challenged F.U.N.
(Flourish, Unite and Nurture) Group
will meet at Temple Israel this fall.
The group focuses on social, support
and educational topics for those who
are physically challenged. Barbara
Bockoff and Anita Haenick will facili-
tate the group.
Meetings are planned from 7-9 p.m.
on Thursdays. The dates left in 2000
are: Sept. 21; Oct. 5, 19; Nov. 2, 16,
30; Dec. 7, 21. The Nov. 16 meeting is
the only one not at the temple.
The temple's Pitt Reception Area is
.
13'nai Writh
Bowling Scores
Morgenthau L'Chayim/Zeiger-Gross
Aug. 28
Mike Diskin 243; Larry Schlussel
234/603; Carl Berlin 222; Mike
Rosenfeld 215; Don Rosenberg 213;
Bob Franklin 211; Sandy Freeman
211; Milt Burg 204; Allen Klegon
203; Marty Rosenberg 203; Jon
Firsht 200.
B'nai B'rith Windsor Aug. 27
Joe Shanbaum 258-200-233/691;
Jack Blaine 238-202/624; David
Lazarus 246-220/617; Dave
Shanbaum 210-223.
The B'nai B'rith Bowling Leagues are
looking for bowlers, any average. If
you are interested, contact Ross
Benchik at (248) 557-3808 or
Rbenchik@aol.com
9/8
2001
10