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
