If you know me, you know that I believe in a strong, varied, inclusive Diabetes Online Community. No one of us has a monopoly on all the good ideas or good stories. And while I have benefitted from many in the community who have been strong, varied, and inclusive to me, I want to be the same in return.
My quick post today begins with two examples of people who have been just wonderful to me. It then finishes with two gleaming examples of people who bravely tell their stories and should be recognized for the contributions they also bring to the DOC.
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I’ve actually been asked a couple of times about Kerri Morrone Sparling… what’s she really like, they’ll ask me. The answer is she’s exactly like she seems online, only even nicer. She’s an awesome writer, and I’m grateful she remains an important part of our online community. Today, she’s allowed me to guest post on her blog, Six Until Me. I talk about making a new friend in my doctor’s office who was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. It’s a story similar to ones that I’ve read from others over the years, but this was the first time I had the same experience and tried to help someone not feel so alone in those early days with diabetes. I probably couldn’t have handled it without reading those previous examples. I hope my new friend is doing well. Read the story here.
Kerri, it was an honor and a privelege guest posting.
Daniele Hargenrader is known in our community as the Diabetes Dominator. She is very active, both literally and figuratively. She’s a workout machine, and her personal story is well worth a read. Like Kerri, she’s written a book, and coming soon to the Diabetes By The Numbers podcast, I hope to talk to her about it. Back in February, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Daniele, and it was a wonderful conversation. You can catch it right here.
Thanks Daniele… I’m looking forward to our upcoming podcast interview.
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Okay… now, because it shouldn’t be all about me (though that would make a cool T-shirt), here are two blog posts that are well worth reading:
See Jen Dance is a fun read, because Jen has a number of interests, and she writes about them and her diabetes on her terrific blog. She’s a really good ballroom dancer (and a Champion Athletes With Diabetes medal winner). A few days ago, while dancing socially, her BGs tanked and she was down to 54 mg/dL. She writes here about the nuances of when to stop and treat that low, and how frustrating it all is when it hits you in the middle of a dance. Check it out.
Naomi Kingery Ruperto writes at the blog The Diabetic Diva. She attended her first Diabetes UnConference in Las Vegas just two weeks ago, and her description of it here nearly brought me to tears. She writes: “…in this atmosphere, having so many people that are willing to come and hug you and say ‘I get it’ is incomparable.”. Go and read her super recap now.
Enjoy your weekend… talk to you next week!
Comments
Thanks for the shout out!
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Stephen it is rare I find a new blog to read, but tonight you pointed one out to me. Many thanks !!
Needless to say but I will I loved your blog and I referred it to the TUDiabetes blog page for the week of March 21, 2016.
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Thank you so much for guest posting, and for sharing the link. 🙂 (And you don’t tell people I keep radishes tucked into my armpits all day long? Would they think that was weird?)
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Well I like radishes, so I guess I forgot:)
Thank you.
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I’m so glad to have discovered your blog through your guest post today in SUM! I loved the story you shared, and am happy to find another wonderful diabetes blog and connection in the DOC. I’m about to celebrate (?) 40 years living with type 1, and have a blog where I irregularly post about it. I can’t link to it through my avatar for some reason, so it’s here: http://luciaslifewithdiabetes.com in case you’re interested.
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So true: “Diabetes is very scary. Not in a “I-can’t-do-this” kind of way, but there is a harsh reality that things can go wrong. And not just with complications, that can come outside of our control, but with the quiet whispers of insecurity and sometimes feeling like you’re going to break. ”
And this is the reason to go to gatherings with other sweet people: ” having so many people that are willing to come and hug you and say “I get it” is incomparable.”
This hits so close to home, I can imagine it almost brought you to tears!
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Great links, as always!! Thanks!!
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