I have to admit, it’s been quite a year.
Full of meetings and partings, full of new issues, and always full of interesting twists and turns, 2016 was eventful indeed.
I didn’t get a chance to participate in clinical trials this year, but I did get to do what feels like my first meaningful work for People With Diabetes by facilitating at the Diabetes UnConference, and representing DPAC at Friends for Life. There were fewer blog posts than in recent years, but I’m kinda seeing that from everyone these days.
We are up to 80 plus Champion Athletes With Diabetes medals awarded all time, thanks to some amazing athletes who shared their inspirational stories of perseverance this year.
There were some great podcast interviews, and though they are pretty infrequent, I’m still getting a kick out of interviewing my guests. Every conversation is different and very interesting. More interviews to come in 2017.
I haven’t done this for a couple of years, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to tell my year in photos. Check out the captions for specifics. Here goes:
2016 was the year I finally settled on a new insulin pump: the Animas Vibe.
Loved participating in Diabetes Podcast Week. Can’t wait until 2017’s edition!
At the JDRF Type One Nation research summit in March, I finally met diabetes (and RA) blogger from Baltimore, Molly Schreiber.
The Diabetes UnConference Las Vegas 2016 Alumni. I’m somewhere in the back. I facilitated for the first time. A meaningful event made even more meaningful.
(image courtesy of The Diabetes Collective, Inc.)
The Children With Diabetes organization came back to the D.C. area for Friends For Life in Falls Church, Virginia in April. Their website says they’re coming back in 2017.
April was a busy month that included the Medtronic Diabetes Advocates Forum in Los Angeles. Great to spend time with more awesome advocates. I’m somewhere in the back.
Thank you Karen Graffeo for years of Diabetes Blog Weeks. 2016’s week was superb, and I discovered more new blogs!
Coming back from knee surgery last year, I was able to run my neighborhood 5k in July. I’ll be back next year, and I have definite plans for at least one bike ride.
I was proud to represent Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition at the big enchilada, the Friends for Life gathering in Orlando in July. I was also extremely fortunate to spend time with great people, including Karen and Pete Graffeo, and one of my favorite writers, Cara Richardson.
Encouraged by a few people I met in July at Friends for Life, I applied for and received my 25 year Journey medal from Lilly Diabetes.
The Diabetes UnConference made its way to Atlantic City in September. I’m wearing my Lilly 25 year medal on this day, sitting with the other facilitators in the front row.
(image courtesy of The Diabetes Collective, Inc.)
Cherise Shockley started with a goal of 12 hours of diabetes Twitter Chat on World Diabetes Day in November. It turned into a full 24 hours of talking diabetes, with many moderators (including me), from around the world.
I have been so fortunate to help moderate the Wednesday DSMA Twitter chat at least once per month this year.
Insulin pricing has been an issue for a number of years, but it has gotten more notoriety lately, in part due to Senator Bernie Sanders’ tweets. There will likely be more discussion on this issue in the coming year. See some of my recent blog posts to see my thoughts.
(image courtesy of Twitter)
This isn’t everything either… I was able to attend an FDA workshop in August. There was the dustup over United Health Care’s decision to limit access by entering into agreement with Medtronic, making them the exclusive provider for insulin pumps through their insurance in the USA. And there’s FDA’s approval of the Medtronic 670g, the hybrid closed loop system that brings us closer to a truly artificial pancreas solution.
Those are just the things I’ve experienced this year. Of course, my diabetes is not your diabetes, so your year may have been different. However this year has gone for you, I hope that it has been filled with happiness and many new acquaintances. Even more so, I hope that 2017 brings you and I the best year yet. We deserve it! And please remember: I support you… no conditions.
Diabetes Blog - Happy-Medium.net 
Comments
You know 2017 is bound to be ,, well it is bound to be ,, ahh yeah it will be a year as well. Really 2016 was a pretty good year overall. I wish you and your family well in 2017.
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Thank you for everything you’ve done for our community in 2016. I’m glad we managed to be in the same place together quite a bit and I hope that continues in the new year!!
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Thank you Karen!
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