Noah's Publications & Manuscripts

Testing 1-2-3

(DESA Challenge article, Summer 2007)

Money, money, everywhere and not a slot would clink. The slot machines at Boomtown Casino in Reno reminded me of a needy baby that will someday mature and reward the parents for countless love donations…just like yours truly. The Nevada Diabetes Association was a clever organization, hosting their diabetes camp in a sea of bright, blinking diversions to probe my dedication to diabetes.

A generous donation from Lifescan flew me to the Robert R. Banks Family Camp, to conduct play and workshops for the diabetic children, their siblings and families hailing from surrounding counties. I spent the morning of the event with a room full of eager artists and over 100 spherical canvases. Knee-high, white socks and used tennis balls wrapped in hockey tape were thoroughly decorated and personalized before being juggled and swung.

The substantial quantity of women’s socks that garnered odd looks when purchased, were transformed into poi by inserting a juggling ball into the end of every sock. My supply of used, plastic grocery bags threw off the shackles of a load-bearing identity, and boasted superiority to their paper counterparts by floating to the ground. This defiance of gravity allowed slow-moving juggling patterns to build muscle memory more easily than three painted spheres. After exhaustive research, empirical evidence suggested there was no wrong way to play with any of the toys.

The playshop was followed by a motivational performance with a diabetic slant. Parallel messages between juggling and diabetes touched on learning from failure, balancing intense exercise and diet, multitasking with myriad variables, and focusing on the present moment for successful self-management. After the clowning and dialogue, the kids were noticeably more apt to developing technical proficiency in the props. It’s unlikely that their juggling will develop into a full-blown psychosis as in my case, but if I can introduce anyone to an outlet for exercise, fun and coordination, I’ll take the chance.

When I later entered the banquet room for my presentation to the parents, my youth audience was noticeably displeased with my drab new costume that included a tucked-in shirt. The comprehensive 45-minute presentation on the mechanics of traveling with diabetes included a handout listing supplies and ideas to facilitate foreign adventures. I was blessed with an audience that spanned every age bracket of diabetic, most of which were unconcerned with my attire.

After the onslaught of information, the slideshow survivors received the first screening of the Instruments Of The Now’s new promotional video. I always preach about the athletics involved in my profession as a fire dancer, but hearsay offers limited credibility. When my brother Zan, launched me into a flaming back flip to start our duo’s video, the blaze lit the children’s eyes. Under the same fiery gaze of legal guardians, I followed with the mandatory dental disclaimer about fire eating complications and the danger inherent in playing with combustible fuels…evident by my discolored arm.

Our troupe’s previous diabetic audience at the ADA’s Family Connections Day, was the test batch for a show that touched on the family dynamics involved with non-diabetic siblings. Although Zan did not venture to Reno on the perilous test mission, I radioed him at headquarters in Boulder, CO, to report on its’ success. With the results in, Tour Now & Then was jettisoned into reality.