Diabetes Blog – Happy-Medium.net

Since I’m back from vacation, and I finally have wi-fi access for the first time in almost a week, I should probably talk about the DSMA Live and DSMA Twitter chat that happened last Wednesday night in Philadelphia. I have never been in a room with even half as many adults with diabetes as I was that night. It was a pretty incredible experience.

At some point, I guess I’ll probably get used to being in rooms with other adults with diabetes. I haven’t gotten to that point yet. It’s weird because I’m almost never in a room with other PWDs. When I am, it’s wonderful because it’s empowering and uplifting and informative all at the same time. So it’s weird and wonderful.

That kind of environment is a by-product of what Cherise Shockley and Scott Johnson bring to the table with their efforts to bring people together and share how important it is to engage in discussions with others like ourselves. It’s the kind of quality that’s not easily defined, but is special and necessary at events like this. Sort of a “you know it when you see it” kind of thing.

I got a chance to meet a few people I hadn’t met before, and a few that I had met before. It was very nice seeing Molly McElwee Malloy, research coordinator at University of Virginia’s Center for Diabetes Technology. She’s also a Certified Diabetes Educator and an RN. She’s a Type 1 too, so it’s interesting to talk to someone who knows so much and lives with diabetes like I do. She made some great points during the podcast. I loved hearing Allison Nimlos talk about the Paleo diet, and I got a couple of great ideas for starter books. I’m not thinking of going totally Paleo, but I’d like to try it out, at least, because it really does appeal to me. And most diets don’t. Kelly Kunik was very kind and gracious, and we talked briefly about her talented niece, who is doing great. I didn’t get a chance to tell her that my nephew has done fantastic since living with us for a couple of years, and our niece is growing every day since moving in with us two years ago. I got to meet Colleen Gray, who is very nice and seems to have a great sense of humor. There was also Maria Qadri and Penny too, both of whom are great to follow on Twitter because they’re very witty and smart. And I got to meet Brea, a Best of the ‘Betes Blogs winner from last month who has a great story to tell, and tells it greatly.

You know, I didn’t think I had met too many people Wednesday until I read what I just wrote. But it appears that I did. It’s always great to put a face with a name, or vice versa. Mostly, it was great hearing the diversity of voices in the room.

How was it being in the room while DSMA Live and the Twitter chat were occurring at the same time? Honestly, it was a little hard to concentrate on one without losing track of the other. But after a while, I was able to handle it, I think. And honestly, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I vote for Cherise and Scott to do this every week in front of hundreds or thousands. How cool would that be?

I’m so grateful to Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation and Roche for hosting this special happening close enough that I could attend. This also brought home to me the idea that I really need to find a way to do a live meetup of my own locally. Don’t know if I can pull it off yet, but this event definitely put it at the forefront of my mind again. And I have to admit: Even though it will be just a virtual meetup, I’m looking forward to this Wednesday too.
 
 
P.S. If you missed the original podcast, you can listen to it now by going to blogtalkradio.com and searching for DSMA Live, or by clicking here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/diabetessocmed/2013/08/08/dsma-live-in-philly