MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Newly crowned Miss Idaho Sierra Sandison became a symbol for the Type I diabetes community after the beauty queen was seen on stage during the pageant sporting an insulin pump on her hip.
Sandison, who was diagnosed in 2012, called the decision to wear her insulin pump openly during the swimsuit competition a scary one, a sentiment shared by many who praised her on Twitter and other social media sites.
The gesture and her win have sparked an outpouring of support from around the world, with Type I diabetics of all ages sharing photos online with the hashtag #showmeyourpump.
The movement has spawned thousands of tweets and a raft of articles as more patients snapped photos showing off their insulin pumps and shared stories about how they overcame their self-consciousness about wearing the device.
The hashtag was launched by Sandison herself, but it has gotten the attention of at least one major pump-maker. The Twitter account for medtech titan Medtronic’s (NYSE:MDT) diabetes division offered its own photos:
#showmeyourpump. Our fabulous HCP's showing their support in Victoria today! pic.twitter.com/4t4kjnQI1F
— MDT Diabetes ANZ (@DiabetesANZ) July 20, 2014
#showmeyourpump at the Diabetes NSW Jelly Bean Picnic. Join in the fun and show us yours! pic.twitter.com/iDiP0nfoki
— MDT Diabetes ANZ (@DiabetesANZ) July 19, 2014
At least one other diabetes devices company also shared support for the movement:
Way to go! @Sierra_anne93 wears her #tslim pump with pride! #showmeyourpump #pumpselfie http://t.co/kIk98SiCoA http://t.co/f1foQNO0ay
— Tandem Diabetes Care (@tandemdiabetes) July 17, 2014
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