Manneken-Pis, the famous Brussels landmark of a naked little boy urinating into a basin today joined the World Diabetes Day campaign. The famous bronze statue dressed up in the World Diabetes Day logo and let fly a steady flow of blue-tinted urine to draw attention to one of the more obvious warning signs of diabetes.

There are several competing legends that explain the statue. The most famous claims that the troops of a two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen. The infant lord was hoisted aloft in a basket to encourage his troops in the coming battle. From his position of advantage, he urinated on the enemy troops and in doing so helped bring about their defeat. Another suggests that Brussels was one time under siege by a foreign power. The attackers planned to lay explosives at the city walls and breach its defenses. A local boy saw what they were trying to achieve. Quick to bring the nearest means to hand, he extinguished the burning fuse and saved the city.

Whatever the real story, on this day November 14, 2008, Manneken-Pis serves as a reminder that diabetes affects children of all ages and that teachers, doctors, school nurses, parents and indeed anyone involved in the care of a child should know the diabetes warning signs.

Posted on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 18:47