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?
JF: It 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.
