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'American Idol' Elliott Yamin's diabetic scare: 'I'm fine' [Updated]
Last Saturday, former "American Idol" contestant Elliott Yamin found himself in the middle of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Chile. Soon afterward, his tweets captured the world's attention. But while he described the horror of the quake, he soon realized that he, himself, was in trouble.
"SOS," Yamin reached out via Twitter to media on Monday, March 1. "Can I fly back home with you!!...I am runnin' out of insulin!!"
Yamin, a Type 1 diabetic, had only packed enough insulin to get him through his planned trip through last Sunday. Local airports were closed for passenger flights, so that they can be used to deliver supplies and other earthquake relief to the area.
Now, Yamin reports he's doing OK on supplies.
"I am fine," Yamin tweeted this morning. "No need to worry about my meds! I have insulin. I will live!!"
ABC News reports that Yamin was able to get supplies from the U.S. Embassy and the manufacturer of his pump that should last him until he gets a flight out.
On Monday, Yamin said on "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest's radio show that he was able to get a flight out of Chile for today, Wed. March 3. There are no reports as to whether that flight came through for him.
Yamin's representatives have not returned Zap2it's request for confirmation that he was able to fly out today.
We hope he gets the flight and we're sending our best thoughts to the quake victims in Chile.
[Update 6:39 PM ET Yamin's rep, Mark Gorlick at The Collective, tells Zap2it that Yamin was unable to fly out of Chile on his scheduled flight today. There is no information as to the next possible flight out of the country. Gorlick says Yamin wants to fly out "as soon as possible." Now in Santiago, Chile, the "Idol" star has better access to insulin and medical services, so he continues to be fine when it comes to his diabetic medication.]
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Don't mean to poke fun at the situation, as I feel for the Chleans, and Elliott in this predicament....but I'm intrigued how Elliott's story has grown into a viral "Save Ferris" campaign. Equally intriguing is the role of Twitter in creating a news story.....versus newsrooms creating a twitter dialogue. The other thing that is interesting is seeing how twitter is realtime....and the newsrooms are really delayed. Elliott has been saying for a couple of days that his insulin supply is ok now, despite further delays in his flights....yet new news stories are popping up today expressing concern for Elliott.
I'm a type 1 diabetic myself, and I always bring extra insulin. I can't imagine taking a trip with only enough to last me through the trip. I try to bring at least enough for an extra week.
i'm curious why he was there
i hope you get a plain out very soon.good luck, love your music, keep up the good work.
some one should have told him that there are doctors in Chile and diabetic medications there. It's not like he was way out at sea, so not understanding why he didn't try the docs there first before trying to get out of the country ASAP and making it seem like Chile has never met up with a diabetic.
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Let's keep this simple. I'm STILL not going to buy your album Elliot. Can we say PUBLICITY STUNT? I'm not saying he planned the quake, but took advantage of it over twitter, over and over. It's not like there are no doctors, pharmacies, other people at all. I'm sure he had to do some digging to figure out exactly how to get the meds, but I KNEW almost for sure he was going to get them. Yet he was turning this into this "tragedy", and just after clumsily slamming the Chile people. Only to back peddle hours later. However, I give you A for creative effort...
I am an American who has lived in Chile for 2 years. I also happen to be a type 1 diabetic like Elliott. While all of you are correct, that Chile has superior health care to the US, I understand what Elliott is going through. The earthquake we experienced was dreadful...and although I'm familiar with the country, and speak Spanish fluently, my concerns immediately turned to my supply of insulin....after first expressing gratitude that my loved ones and me survived the initial quake. We have no choice but to get back to normal here....but even us Chileans are still nervous with ever aftershock, and I am concerned about supplies drying up because transportation is still an issue. At least, I have the comfort of being in a familiar place. I can understand Elliott's concern. Being type 1 diabetic is an every day, every minute concern in the best of times. Good luck Elliott....oh and by the way, the Chilean people LOVED you at the festival!
I have personally met Elliott Yamin on a few occassions and I can tell you he is every bit as caring and generous as he appears to be. The media is famous for blowing things up to make news! I think we need to put ourselves in his situation before we judge...Elliott we are praying for you a safe trip home..soon!
I am chilean and I know people are travelling out of the country so either he had a ticket for another date (you cannot change it now)or he is using this for publicity... He was in Santigo shortly after the quake and there everything is working normally since monday...