Time magazine asks — ‘Her diabetes: Will it be a handicap?’

An excerpt:

The nominee’s chronic condition is worth noting, since it puts her at increased risk of several serious medical conditions, including heart disease, kidney problems, blindness and nerve damage — and an increased risk of early death. Studies show that adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely than non-diabetics to die of heart disease. But when treated correctly, say doctors, Type 1 diabetes patients are able to lead relatively healthy lives. The latest data suggest that patients can successfully manage the disease for four or five decades with no serious health complications.

Diabetes and the Supreme Court Nominee — Associated Press

An excerpt:

As part of its vetting process, White House officials talked with Sotomayor about her diabetes and consulted her doctors and others before concluding she’s in good health and can serve for many years.

Praise for Sotomayor from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (press release): Sotomayor nomination is good news, say advocates for people with mental disabilities

An excerpt:

“Her opinions demonstrate that Judge Sotomayor understands the language and the purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights laws,” said Robert Bernstein, the Center’s executive director.

“Her empathy is evident, as is her understanding that judges’ decisions interpreting these federal laws have real-life consequences for people with disabilities and their opportunity to participate in American life,” Bernstein added.

The Bazelon Center offers a review and analysis of selected district court and Second Circuit decisions by Judge Sotomayor here.

See also:

• Sotomayor’s Type 1 diabetes a ‘non-issue,’ say docs — Wall Street Journal health blog
• Diabetes groups hail Obama court pick — Agence France-Presse

Earlier posts start here.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 4:33 pm and is filed under NOT2BEMISSED, Obama administration, diabetes, law, politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.