Jan 26, 2013

Sleep is good for you...What's that?!?

Ever notice how articles or reports touting how getting a full nights sleep can help cure depression, lead to healthy weight management, better outlook on life or help you rule the world? Okay maybe sleep won't help in all those areas but you know what I'm talking about. Every time I read those articles I laugh to myself. Really? How I would LOVE to get a full nights sleep, uninterrupted. But my life is a D-rent x 2. There is NO uninterrupted sleep! There is blood sugar checks at midnight, 3am and 6am if not more. There is the constant worry of me thinking I've heard the CGM alerting only to realize it's my fuzzy brain and ears playing tricks on me. I literally thought I heard her CGM alarming one night two different times. Both times I ran upstairs to check her pump and nothing...ugh!! Then the nights blood sugars are running beautifully and I worry they will go low only to have them run high. It's a worrisome situation to be in when you are so tired and need to make a rational decision on how to treat your low/high child and then second guess yourself on how you treated which can then result in a low/high later. I'll admit it...I tend to run one higher during her sleep hours because she has a tendency to plummet at night. I'm not talking in the 300's but I will run her in the 190's. Anything below a 120 and she will crash and burn and that's with NO active insulin!

Sleep is overrated anyway, right? We can sleep when we die?! There are days I feel like the walking dead but then that is what caffeine and concealer are for! I'd like a nap or two but the VERY active 4 year old rarely permits it and I've got a house to tend to and things to do...no rest for the weary, wicked or the wickedly weary sleep deprived D-rent. Just know that if you fall into the above category I feel ya! That and if you hang around long enough in this house, usually after 10pm, there's a whole lotta slap happy going on. AND I wish you good BG's and wonderfully peaceful uninterrupted sleep in 3 hour intervals.

What we SHOULD look like...

What we REALLY look like!! 

Jan 24, 2013

NEW & Improved Insulin Nation is LIVE!


We first introduced you to Insulin Nation in our post April 23, 2012 when we wrote "Our Team peruses up to one hundred individual News alerts & Sources worldwide each day to bring the very best FREE resources to our Friends & Followers. Recently we stumbled upon a NEW & unique source containing the BEST & most exhaustive reporting of items we have seen yet, relevant to all of us affected by diabetes. One of the taglines that truly fit's is Insulin Nation's claim of "seperating the noise from the news".

We are thrilled to share that just when we thought they could not make I.N. any better...they did! Along with a shiny NEW Platform & Interface, the new curation methodology being used will enhance the experience by updating MUCH faster than before, and presenting the Content in a very easy to read format.

We asked our dear friend AndY Holder, aka "Iron Andy", VP of Collaborations to share an updated insight into what they now offer: 



"Insulin Nation (http://www.insulinnation.com) is a SelfRx (http://www.selfrx.com) platform for the 6.5 million people in the US who take insulin, and who want and need reliable information.  Content centers on using technology as part of a care plan, the science behind cure-focused research and development, and connecting readers with each other and with the companies and institutions focused on diabetes.  The goal is to show how technology and science, combined with community, can improve outcomes and lower costs for people with diabetes."

The NEW 'Profiles/Interviews' Section, you will see all the GREAT offerings from previous Issues including the Story/Video about Blue Heel Society CEO/Co-Founder Tony Cervati and his 'Tour Divide' quest[s].



In the 'Resources' Section you will find an abundance of all the wonderful Organizations & much needed information to help enhance everyone affected by diabetes including the Blue Heel Society.



We hope you enjoy the NEW Insulin Nation as much as we do, and as stated by Editor-in-Chief Christopher Leach "Insulin Nation is more than a name or a logo.  It is a real community of people who will empower, encourage, and strengthen each other by being connected.  Supplying the connective tissue is our mission."

We certainly agree!!!


Jan 22, 2013

the Diabetic Driver

I'm trying to figure something out...something I think is common sense but maybe it isn't.

One of the first things I thought about after we were released from the hospital with Evelyn after her diagnosis was DRIVING. Actually I thought about it in the ER as we were waiting to be admitted. My mind was working over time. Things that needed to be done, how to get her in contact with other T1 young adults, how fast I could get her on the pump etc. But, back to driving. I told her that there would be new rules on driving. (I know I didn't bring it up at the best time...I can't help how my mind works and things come out sometimes). It was important and I didn't want to forget it.

New Rules for Driving:

1. Test before you drive.

2. Treat accordingly.

3. If you feel you are having a low-pull over safely and check.

4. Don't drive until you feel better and you have checked your blood sugar to make sure it's in range.

5. You MUST have a Diabetic Driver window sticker attached to your car.

We have all seen the news reports of diabetics being beat or hit from police officers who take their hypoglycemia as resisting arrest. When something so simple as having a Diabetic Driver window sticker attached in a visible area (Evy has hers on the back window) would prevent the unnecessary violence and instead have the officer alert medical personnel or better yet, know to ask the driver if they are having a low.

It happens time and time again and doesn't have to.

I know some will say they don't want to advertise their diabetes.
If your willing to advertise your stick figure family, favorite band, radio station, how many marathons you've completed, how you love your dog/cat, favorite sports team/school, your Presidential candidate you voted for 12 years ago...why not advertise you are a Diabetic Driver?

Okay...you can't stand those stickers and you have a clean car...do you wear a medic ID alert? (You better have answered yes) then treat the Diabetic Driver window sticker as just that...a medic ID alert for your car.
This is so important for YOU, the other drivers and the police officers who could potentially pull you over!!

We ordered ours from Lauren's Hope. You can check it out here.

Diabetic Passenger Window StickerDiabetic Driver License Plate

This has been a NON-paid Public Service Announcement brought to you by a mother of two type 1 diabetics; one that drives and one that will one day. And a person who cares about ALL diabetics.

Jan 20, 2013

Alys Diaversary

6 years ago today my then 2 1/2 year old toddler was diagnosed with a life long autoimmune disease called Type 1 Diabetes. When Aly was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 6 years ago she was a VERY sick little girl. Se was lethargic, had lost weight, had a horrible yeast infection, threw up randomly, was peeing herself so bad that she would soak her clothes through her diaper. When my daughter was diagnosed I knew NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about diabetes the day before her diagnosis. We had taken her to the pediatrician 2 weeks before diagnosis and even with all of her *symptoms* they NEVER ONCE mentioned Type 1 Diabetes not checked her blood sugar!! My mother in law is the one that mentioned that she thought Aly had Type 1 Diabetes and so right then I was at work at researched it .... I then had that AH HA MOMENT!! THAT, THAT WAS MY CHILD!! I knew right then what she had ... I left work immediately, went and picked Aly up from my mother, and rushed her to the Children's Hospital ER. When we checked in they always ask why you are there and I told them " I think my daughter has Type 1 Diabetes, please do whatever you have to to check her for it." When they finally got Aly into the exam room (which seemed like FOREVER) they checked her sugar and all the meter told us was HI. When her labs came back her blood sugar at diagnosis was 682. Then we began our journey, our new life with a child who would always depend on injected insulin to stay alive.

6 years ago today was the day that would forever shape who my child would be in life, 6 years ago today my daughter lost some options in her life choices because she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, 6 years ago today my daughter became MY HERO!! Today 6 years ago I became the mother of a child who lived with Type 1 Diabetes ... I became a D Mom.

We DO NOT let Type 1 Diabetes define who Aly is but it is and always will be a part of her until a Cure is found.

In the 6 years since Alys diagnosis we have learned SO MUCH more than I ever really wanted to know about any disease out there, knowledge is power. Aly is a trooper and never complains nor asks "why me" she just accepts it as part of her and does not let it stand in her way of what she wants to accomplish. She is now at the age of 8 learning more about the disease that she lives with and is taking on more responsibility in the day to day schedule of blood sugar checks, counting carbs basics, knowing when she is high/low, and just the responsibility of remembering to bring her meter where ever she goes and not forgetting it.

My daughters pediatrician at the time missed ALL of the signs, so PLEASE DO NOT rely on your doctor to know ... If you ever have ANY suspicions please CHECK ... DON'T GUESS!! You could save your child's life or the life of another individual since Type 1 Diabetes can be diagnosed at ANY age.

Mommy loves you Aly and Happy Diaversary

Written by:
Katrina Huckabay
Kansas City Chapter Luminary

Introducing BHS Ohio Chapter Luminary John Franklin



                                                 

We recently launched one of our most important pieces of advocacy work yet—our Luminary Program. A Blue Heel Society Luminary is an advocate in the war against diabetes who uses his or her fabulous blue shoes to speak volumes about diabetes awareness. With the Luminary Program, we turn the advocacy over to you and support you doing it *your* way. We do this by providing a Shoebox full of tools to help Luminaries operate a local Blue Heel Society chapter of their own.

A Luminary is an advocate, a delegate, in the war against Diabetes.  We choose to use apparel, our fabulous Blue Shoes, to speak volumes about Diabetes Awareness.  You can host an event, about anything, and wear blue shoes simply to advocate for those people affected by Diabetes.

Be it a Book Club meeting, Pet adoption day, Church function or a Diabetes-specific event, you can advocate for people who live with or care for someone with diabetes, simply by wearing a blue shoe in “your” fashion.

Regardless of what your passion is, we want to empower community leaders to use the Blue Heel Society as a platform to promote those causes and interests, all the while showing support and raising awareness about diabetes, in arenas formerly thought of as unreachable or unrelated.

We asked John a few questions to introduce himself. Here's what he had to say:

BHS: Connection w/ diabetes?
JF: I am the grandson-nephew-son-brother and father of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics.

BHS: General geographic location
JF: Ohio

BHS: What blue shoe (Heel, sneaker, riding shoe, etc.) suits you & Why?
JF: The sneaker, I try to keep my son as active as possible, so it helps me to keep up...as well as getting back into shape.

BHS: What does advocacy mean to you?
JF: Advocacy is Life. To be able to help others by spreading Awareness is what I am here to do.

BHS: What are some of your goals as a BHS Luminary?
JF: I am currently working on a Project focusing on (D)ocumentation (R)esearch (E)ducation (A)wareness (M)anagement, or simply put, The  DIABETES D.R.E.A.M. Project.

BHS: Words of wisdom/encouraging statement/general statement about diabetes?
JFIt is what it is. Be strong, think positive. It takes it's toll from you...as it's a frustrating, complex disease. Every day is different, so be flexible...you have a strong, compassionate support network ready, willing and able to help.
Please join us in welcoming John to the BHS Family. If you live in Ohio and would like to get more information, you can Contact John via EMAIL.

If you would like to become a BHS Luminary, you can fill out the Application HERE , or via the 'Luminaries' Tab at the top of our Blog.

Jan 18, 2013

Quack Quack...



Here's an idea for those who seem to have their minds made up that ANY 'Type' of diabetes can be cured or reversed, especially Type 2. Instead of using words derived from "cure" or "reverse", tell it like it really is.

Here's a headline from a Study from a great resource, DiabetesCare.net, that is a wonderful example of wording that actually fits better "Intensive Weight-Loss Intervention *Linked* with *Increased Chance of* *Partial Remission* from T2 Diabetes". Put aside for a second the fact that it is a VERY important Study published in the JAMA, that contradicts what many have been lead to believe...fat people get diabetes or losing weight cures T2.

Use the word *linked* or *suggests a connection to*...not *causes*.

Go ahead and be truthful by saying *increased chance of*...not *has been proven to*.

Do yourself a favor and NEVER ever [yet] use any forms of the words *cure* or *reverse* in the same sentence as the word *diabetes*. Take the great lead referenced above and say *partial remission* or *helps relieve symptoms of* or *may prevent further complications of*...PLEASE!

Because I can guarantee that the minute you use *cure* or *reverse*, you immediately lose all credibility...and readers.

Here's an excerpt of one of the BEST articles I have read, that explains in great detail, why at the end of the day, in my opinion, it's still diabetes...PERIOD! If it looks like a Duck, walks like a Duck, quacks & craps like a Duck...IT IS!

"There is no cure for diabetes.  The fundamental defect(s) of diabetes remain beyond the reach of being "fixed" by science, let alone by any "holistic" or other approach.  In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system has mistakenly identified insulin-producing pancreatic cells as "foreign" and initiated an ongoing "autoimmune" assault on them, preventing any insulin production, which is necessary for the normal regulation of glucose levels.  In Type 2 diabetes, insulin production has been damaged to the point that either inadequate insulin is produced or insulin forms are produced that are ineffective at regulating glucose." -(Source-http://www.quora.com/Has-any-country-claimed-to-have-found-the-cure-for-diabetes/answer/Patrick-Driscoll-1)

Jan 16, 2013

Getting to know me...getting to know all about me!

Today I will tell you 48 things about me, Jen, CCO for Blue Heel Society. Cherise Shockley at #DSMA chat posted the idea and it was neat to read the answers that people have been posting.

So kick back and get to know me!!



1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
last week when my hubby called me to tell me he helped a diabetic man at a grocery store who had a severe low and passed out and was able to catch him before he hit his head on the floor and then ran to get OJ and forced him to drink it...(you all know I'm not a crier!)

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes but only when I take the time with writing. I've been known to re-write my notes so it looks prettier!

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes, two diabetic girls (age 18 and 12) and a son (age 5)

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes but I come with a disclaimer "I cannot talk/text/email you everyday but just because I don't, doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you". I don't do high-maintenance.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
YES! Everyday...got it from my Daddy and unfortunately ALL my kids have it too!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I would like to think I would but I probably wouldn't when it came down to the actual jump. 

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
When I eat cereal (which isn't often) I like Honey Bunches of Oats.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
When they are new yes but after they are worn in I don't.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes, carrying my 48lb son around builds up some muscle! 

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
ALL of it!! I LOVE ice cream!! But I won't eat plain vanilla, chocolate or strawberry unless it's in a banana split! 

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Shoes or feet if they are standing (I'm a nail tech by trade).

15. RED OR PINK?
Neither...but I did/do have a Red shoe obsession (before I had my blue shoe obsession!)

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My baby belly...but, hey, it's housed three beautiful babies.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My Grandma's. 

18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Keeping my kitchen island organized and cleaned off!! Crap multiplies on there like rabbits! 

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black Uggs

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Key Lime Greek Yogurt...yummy!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Nothing...ah, peace!

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Royal blue!

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
My hubby after he comes inside from grilling.

24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?
eh...not so much.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Both please!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
College basketball or any sport my kids are playing!
27. HAIR COLOR?
Today it's red but I'm naturally platinum blonde...don't believe me? Look at my kids! 

28. EYE COLOR?
Blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Haven't worn them in years...way too easy to put my glasses on!

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Steak

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Scary movies

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Brave

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Burgundy (work shirt)

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer!! Bring it! 

35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Ice cream, pie, cake, cookies

36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Both

37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Either when I can get it to myself!

38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Amy Ermel's book: Mom of An Extra Sweet Insulin-Challenged Girl

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Don't use one!

40. FAVORITE SOUND?
Laughter coming from my kids and hubby

41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
ANYTHING but country...can't do it! 

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Las Vegas 2005 (last trip my hubby and I went on by ourselves before D entered our lives)

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
No :(

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Lexington, KY (Go Wildcats!)

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Batavia, OH (suburb of Cincy)

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Green, purple and red (painted lady house!)

47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Which one? I've got a used car lot outside my house!! 

48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?
Sure! I'd answer more!!

Jan 11, 2013

Introducing BHS Central CA Chapter Luminary Stacy Anthony




We recently launched one of our most important pieces of advocacy work yet—our Luminary Program. A Blue Heel Society Luminary is an advocate in the war against diabetes who uses his or her fabulous blue shoes to speak volumes about diabetes awareness. With the Luminary Program, we turn the advocacy over to you and support you doing it *your* way. We do this by providing a Shoebox full of tools to help Luminaries operate a local Blue Heel Society chapter of their own.

A Luminary is an advocate, a delegate, in the war against Diabetes. We choose to use apparel, our fabulous Blue Shoes, to speak volumes about Diabetes Awareness. You can host an event, about anything, and wear blue shoes simply to advocate for those people affected by Diabetes.

Be it a Book Club meeting, Pet adoption day, Church function or a Diabetes-specific event, you can advocate for people who live with or care for someone with diabetes, simply by wearing a blue shoe in “your” fashion. 

Regardless of what your passion is, we want to empower community leaders to use the Blue Heel Society as a platform to promote those causes and interests, all the while showing support and raising awareness about diabetes, in arenas formerly thought of as unreachable or unrelated. 


We asked Stacy a few questions to introduce herself. Here's what she had to say:

BHS: Connection w/ diabetes? 
SA: My son Ryan was diagnosed Type 1 in Sept. He was 4 years old at the time. 

BHS: General geographic location
SA: Central California  

BHS: What blue shoe (Heel, sneaker, riding shoe, etc.) suits you & Why?
SA: There is something about a pair of heels that makes me feel powerful,
although if I could find a blue pair of Converse I'd wear them everyday.

BHS: What does advocacy mean to you?
SA: Advocacy means I can give diabetes a voice, raising awareness, and letting others know. I pray that there will be a cure so that one day my son and others like him won't have to live with this disease.

BHS: What are some of your goals as a BHS Luminary?
SA: I want to start a support group. Our hospital isn't equip to treat juveniles with diabetes so they have to be sent hours away. There is no form of support for them or their families. I would also like to organize an event to raise awareness and money for JDRF.

BHS: Words of wisdom/encouraging statement/general statement about diabetes?
SA: I've learned from watching my son these last 3 months that even when things get tough you have to keep going. You can't dwell in the bad or you won't even see the good. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you diabetes add some splenda and keep going!

Please join us in welcoming Stacy to the BHS Family. If you live in Central California and would like to get more information, you can Contact Stacy via email

If you would like to become a BHS Luminary, you can fill out the Application HERE , or via the 'Luminaries' Tab at the top of the page.

Jan 10, 2013

Ever just want to quit?

The past couple of days have been frustrating to say the least...

Monday night Nora had a high blood sugar, changed her site and went off to bed. She comes back downstairs to tell me, "Mom, I don't know if the site went in. It kinda crinkled after I inserted it." So I immediately tell her to change it...I'm not messing around with a shoulda, coulda, woulda!!

She changes it and goes off to bed...by the way...the site was in and she was irritated that she wasted a perfectly good site. Fast forward to the 3am check...over 500!!! What the hell?? I rage bolus...set a temp basal...she wakes up and feels like crud! Well, of course she does! Checks for ketones and BLAM...moderate.

As an aside, I hate everything diabetes related at 3am...my mind is barely functioning and then to have to bring out the Sick Day flow chart and comprehend what I am doing and calculate correctly...you all know!!

Okay, so rage bolus, temp basal, syringe stick for ketones, 16 ounces of water gulped down and she is off to bed. I check a few hours later...NO CHANGE!! Great!! Repeat of 3am care WITH site change and back to bed.

We fought ketones and highs ALL day long. I felt like I had put water into her reservoir instead of insulin. I don't usually limit what she eats but I did this day. We cut the carbs and increased the protein. This way I could eliminate a carb ratio issue. About mid afternoon she got rid of the ketones!! But still was in the 3-400's. She's worn out. It sucked. That night she finally was around 180ish. Woo Hoo!! Nora looks at me and says, "I feel low!" I replied, "Of course, you do!! You've been high all day!". She went off to bed and at the 3 am check she had gone up to the 250's???? (In my opinion it's either hormones or a cold coming on...either of which can stay away...unfortunately they won't!)

We all go through this...all of us! But I guess by that evening I was feeling defeated. I was sucking big time as the stand in pancreas. I wanted to just throw in the towel and scream I QUIT!! I feel I can say this to you, the reader, without judgement. Because haven't we all wanted to do that? We may not vocalize it but it's there.

But we can't. We are stuck in this no win, suck-y, worst  job EVER, until we find a cure. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't make our kids suffer. I have never liked the term, "suffer from diabetes" but she was suffering, BIG time. I was tired that day. I felt like I had gone a round in a cage fight and lost. I didn't want, nor do I now want a pity party. I'm no whiner! And then I got mad at myself for even thinking of saying I wanted to quit. Nora can't quit. Evy can't quit. NON of our diabetics can quit!!

I ain't quittin'!! I'm gettin' mad and I'm gonna find out what the crap is going on. I'm making changes to basals and I'm gonna be the best kick ass pancreas I can be.

Rage bolus.

Rage blogging.

Rage D Momma!



NASCAR Driver Ryan Reed is auctioning off a pair of his BLUE racing shoes!


                  

Reposted with permission from The Type1Rider Organization

Type 1 NASCAR driver Ryan Reed is auctioning off a pair of his BLUE racing shoes for a donation to be made to the Iron Andy Foundation on behalf of the Blue Heel Society.

Take a look at the auction, help out a GREAT cause, and maybe win a once in a lifetime item from a future SPRINT CUP star!!

Please visit, share, and of course submit YOUR Bid today by visiting the Auction HERE

Jan 1, 2013

Blue Heel Society 2012...a year in review

Hey there! We hope you have had a wonderful holiday season! Each one of us at Blue Heel Society has been busy doing things behind the scenes but also taking time to be with our families and just enjoying the holidays and each other. I was sitting down the other day and started looking back at all BHS has done this past year. It's neat to look back at our fb posts from the early months of 2012 and see where we have come from and where we are going.

Here are some of the highlights (and in no particular order):

1. Rebel Race...A meet up of MA peeps in dirt, mud, racing, running, fire jumping and diabetes awareness!! AWESOME!!

2. We cheered on co-founder, Tony Cervati (T1R) on his second attempt at Tour Divide. While he didn't complete it he made it further than he did the year before AND accomplished his goals he set for himself!! AND proving that diabetes does not stop him from doing anything!! WTG Tony!! You can follow him here.

3. We participated and helped promote Blue Friday's. In case your new, or you've been living under a rock for the past year, it was a day (every Friday) in which you wore blue and then used it as your platform to talk about diabetes awareness. My coworkers even got in on the blueness and would say "Hey! I've got my blue on!!" Let's keep up the Blue Friday tradition alive through 2013!! You can find their fb page here.

4. We participated in several Blog Carnivals this past year. I always see them as a challenge to complete each entry (of course with the help of Thomas!!) and even the topics that seem less than fun usually turn out pretty good. The month long ones are good, take a little planning and can be a little exhausting but I love doing it!!

5. WDD or World Diabetes Day!! November 14th is a day set aside for ALL diabetics. It's a fun day to come together, wear blue and be a presence in the public eye and spread diabetes awareness!!

6. BHS introduced Fan of the Week...a fun little shout out to our most active peeps. If you are chosen we write up a little article about you and your diabetes efforts. It's a great way for us to get to know you!! So keep your comments and likes coming to get chosen as our Fan of the Week!

7. Ryan Reed (a NASCAR driver who also has T1D) shows his Blue Heel Society love with his racing blue shoes!! Plus Tony and Diane got to meet up with him this past year. Just a great opportunity to meet other PWD and spread the love!  You can check him out and follow him here.

8. BHS launched our sister site:  The Diabetes Monster, you can check it out here. As our fb page says its a place to discuss all things funny or fail about living with Diabetes! Feel free to share your stories there!

9. Blue Heel Society has been nominated by WEGO Health for "Best Ensemble Cast" through our blogging and advocacy efforts. Of course it wouldn't and couldn't be done without all of you! Thank you!!

10. Both our co-founders, Tony Cervati and Diane Pridmore, were chosen as featured WDD "Hero of the Week" by the International Diabetes Federation. Too cool!

11. BHS participated and helped promote the 2nd Annual Diabetic Ice Cream Social. Who knew a bunch of diabetics and their loved ones could have so much fun and create so much controversy?!?! We banned together proving that diabetics can eat ANYTHING!! That moderation and carb counting were key to success.

12. We saw the ugly side of diabetes here in our BHS family with a second diagnosis in my family. And countless newly diagnosed and additional diagnosis of diabetes within our DOC. But in each case we rallied and came together in love, support and comfort.

13. Funny that I have ended on 13...totally NOT intentional but somehow VERY fitting for 2013!! The best for last! One of our greatest accomplishments to what BHS is all about...

our LUMINARIES!!

It's about coming together in OUR own community through events and occasion's designated at spreading awareness and advocacy in Diabetes. Got a book club? Why not meet up at your designated location in blue shoes? Think of the impact you would have...a group of people meeting to discuss a book, ALL wearing blue shoes and promoting diabetes awareness....don't think it will work? I challenge you...a group of people all in blue shoes...someone is bound to notice and ask!! Try it! 

Well...it seems as if I've written a book here! Thanks for reading till the end and taking a look back at Blue Heel Society 2012! Thank you for all your love, support and sporting your blue shoes to walk along with us in our battle against diabetes! 

Happy New Year! 

Tony, Diane, Thomas and Jen