My initial thought when reading this prompt was to create a list of links to organizations that promote diabetes awareness and raise funds for diabetes-related research. Then I thought maybe I should share a few links to previous posts I've written., You know, our diagnosis story; how I dealt with with my son's diagnosis; how and why I started advocating myself, stuff like that.
But then I really thought about it; about what I would want to know if our diagnosis was today...and the answer was obvious. I would want to know that I wasn't alone. And that I would never ever be alone with diabetes. Because a diabetes diagnosis comes with an open-armed and open-ended invitation to one of the coolest, most welcoming, supportive, and totally awesome communities out there. The DOC really does have all the answers. Have a question? Post a status update on Facebook. Feeling overwhelmed? Send out a tweet. Need a virtual hug? Simply ask, and the response will amaze you.
Diabetes sucks no matter how you tilt your head, but being able to share frustrations, concerns, and day to day dilemmas with others who understand what you're going through is invaluable.
Oh, and if you are looking for links to previous posts, check out:
And visit the websites of your national and regional diabetes organizations. See the "Resources" tab above for a few links to start.
I am not a diabetic, I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta. I never knew anyone else with it until I got online, and it is just comforting to know you are not alone with something even if you just bask in knowing that instead of advocating.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you probably get plenty of people with diabetes who come by your blog via Google and receive comfort without commenting, and that is powerful medicine.
My husband has type 1 diabetes and works at a camp during the summer for young people with diabetes (Camp Carolina Trails) and I know it is one of his favorite weeks out of the entire year because he finds so much comfort in being around others who are going through the same experience and where it is completely normal to count carbs and pull out an insulin pump after meals! I have multiple chronic illnesses and while we can sympathize with each other on many levels about what it is like to live with an illness day in and day out, I know that it is still important to connect with others that can totally get you.
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