"I'm no one special...and I CAN save the world."

Today's Writer's Challenge was to open a book at random, point to a phrase and blog away.

So I picked up my copy of  A Cure for Emma, One Mother's Journey to Oz by Julie Colvin.

(Julie is a fellow D Momma who writes about her spiritual journey after her daughter's diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes. If you haven't had the chance to read it, you should!!)

So I opened up the book and I'll be honest...the first phrase was about plummeting blood sugars. UGH!! I just wasn't feeling it...I deal with that daily. So I flipped the pages one more time and sincerely landed on

"I'm no one special...and I CAN save the world"!!

How often do we think that..."I'm no one special"?? I think that often. I'm just a mom who takes care of her kids, of which two out of three happen to have different life threatening medical conditions...I'm no one special.

I just DO. 

I wake up every morning, get the kids ready for school, fix lunches, grocery shop, pick kids up, fix dinner, help with homework, drive to sporting events, do dishes, get the kids to bed...all routine things that many of you all do. Nothing special in all that, right?

So, how can I...whose no one special, save the world? Baby steps...take baby steps. Get involved!! I'm not talking about becoming the Executive Director of a Diabetes Organization. Smaller scale...just call and offer your help. Attend a diabetes function, stuff envelopes, answer phone calls, mentor a newly diagnosed family, wear your blue heels, organize an event to raise diabetes awareness.

 Again, GET INVOLVED!! 

Even if it's just one of those ways I mentioned...DO IT! You volunteering unites ALL of us for the greater cause...finding a cure and SAVING THE WORLD!!

April...a Blogging-polooza!!

WEGO health

The month of April is going to be a blogging-polooza for us here at BHS. We are participating in the WEGO Health: Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge. Everyday we will be prompted with a question and will blog our response. It will be fun, serious and thought provoking!! This is an opportunity for us to be health activist in our field...diabetes. Our blogs will be posted daily on WEGO Health's FaceBook page along with Twitter. The reason this is a great opportunity is by being posted on both social networks we will be putting diabetes (the good, bad and the ugly) out for the WORLD to know about and more importantly LEARN about! There are several hundred other people that will be blogging their health issues too. So we can all learn something the whole month of April!! You will be able to access our blog like you always do BUT if you'd like to follow along this month and learn about other health issues go on over to WEGO Health's website  here or you can like them on their FB page. So sit back and enjoy the ride, er...blogs!!

HOPE

March 1st marked a National Day of Hope for Diabetes. The DOC flooded the walls of Facebook with pictures of people who had inscribed HOPE on their hands.

Loving Family Hope

It was so inspiring to see all the different ways people displayed their HOPE. Some were simply stated while others went more elaborate. Some didn't even have diabetes but wrote it for support of their family member or friend! That's what is so awesome about the DOC. We are here for each other. I think I can safely say that EVERYDAY is a Day of Hope! You can even see it in Sir Frederick G. Banting Square; the Flame of Hope! It was lit in 1989 and "while the Flame of Hope is a symbol of hope, it is also a reminder that insulin is only a control for diabetes, not a cure. Only when that cure is at last found, will the Flame of Hope be extinguished."  

(taken from http://www.diabetes.ca) 

Flame of Hope


This got me thinking about everyday signs of HOPE.  Hope can be found  in  the Endo's office, when your Doctor gives you encouraging words. HOPE can be found online through updates on medical advancements. HOPE can be found in your child's eyes. Basically, HOPE can be found anywhere you look....sometimes it's just in the way you look at it. For me, I find HOPE on my drive home from work...on a tree...YES, I said a tree! 
Now, I don't know if this is someone who is just plain lazy and doesn't want to turn their lights off, let alone, take them down but for me I see these blue lights and think diabetes, my daughter, DOC, World Diabetes Day, Blue Heels, support, love...HOPE! This simple little tree sitting in someones front yard is my symbol of Hope! And what if they turn the blue lights off and take them down? Will my Hope be lost? Nope! I've got all of YOU!! <3 

What BLUE means to me...

I HATE blue!! Before you get your heels all in a twist...let me explain. Blue has been in my life FOREVER!! Those of you that have attended a catholic school know what I mean. Blue is everywhere...it was in my school uniform, it was in my spirit wear, sports uniforms,shoes, backpacks, sweaters...like I said, it was everywhere...for 8 years!! (I think I chose a public high school just to get away from blue!) I stayed away from blue like it was the plague. If the option was blue or naked...I'd take naked, thank you very much!! Fast forward many, many years and now my T1D daughter is attending the EXACT same catholic school wearing the EXACT same uniform!!!

(My girls, Nora & Evy. The uniform on the left is the one I wore!)

But now with the push for a circle to denote the universal symbol of diabetes and a BLUE circle at that, I've started to see blue, in a different way. Now, I smile when I see blue. I am SEEKING blue, everywhere I go!  My first purchase of blue shoes set me over the edge and I became a "blue-for-life'er".  I'm one of those people that when I'm committed to something, I obsess. My husband knows this... for Christmas he bought me a blue jacket, blue Converse and a blue Pandora bead. He said I could wear them to all my diabetes events.(Insert "AWE" here...I love that man!) I can't go into a store without looking for blue clothes and of course, blue shoes!! It's so bad that every time I see something blue, I squeal in delight! I've even got my sister looking...and she is NOT a shopper!!

   

(My first pair!!)

But what does all this mean?!?! (besides the fact that I obviously need therapy!!) Now...blue means: diabetes, DOC, unity, strength, love, but most of all it means HOPE. Hope that with each day, new medications and  new devices will improve the health of my diabetic daughter and  HOPE for what we all so desperately want...a CURE!! To see diabetics, their family and friends all together,  all wanting a cure...people we don't even know yet brought together by this dreadful disease, showing solidarity by wearing blue is a sight to behold.


(WDD 2011 Cincy, OH Artistic Vision)
I wear blue to support my diabetic daughter and raise awareness for diabetes. It's amazing how a blue pair of shoes can turn into a conversation about diabetes. Don't believe me? Try it! It happens to me all the time! So, I guess I've come full circle...the color I've despised for years has now become my new favorite color! I <3 blue!! 

HOPE, STRENGTH, LOVE & BLUE!   

Send us a video....of you...yes.....YOU....doing what YOU do....in your FAB blue shoe......for all the world to view. Keep it clean...keep it real....show us how it can feel!! Give us your best catwalk....in those heels!!

Submit your 1 minute or less videos ( we will edit out sound or the what nots) to: 

YOU@blueheelsociety.org 

Who are you?? Fabulous. Let us show the world. Be creative and have fun!! GO!! And while you are at it.......


We are still accepting emails for *The REAL Chefs of the DOC Cookbook"!! We have hundreds of recipes submitted and we want yours too....email your submissions along with your nutritional info and who you are...and your connection to the DOC to:

 recipes@blueheelsociety.org 

Rock it Dolls!!

WHAT? You....you don't like my shoes??

This shoe goes with everything! So....why is everyone looking funny at me?

As it turns out....this may or may not surprise you....it appears this blue heel may clash with your more *earth* friendly counterpart. Scandalous.

So...I wanted to discuss why a trusted blue shoe...sturdy and reliable suddenly comes under attack by a more *new age* style that fits into our new modern lifestyle and pokes fun in the face of traditional fashion.

Diabetes *yet again* has a cure.

*PALM TO FACE*

Be true to you. DO NOT let anyone dissuade you from advocating for not only yourself but for your family....which as we in the DOC know....is vast. If you see a sale that is too good to be true....chances are...lambs....it is.

We are in this fight for the right reason. It is a sin to see the scavengers literally feeding off the hopes and dreams of our loved ones entering into the diabetes world.

We are family....and with that...we can leave our shoes at the door.

Do You Have These Blue Heels In Size 10? Mens.

Most of the time I get to talk diabetes in a very natural and comfortable setting for me - with my bike, when training or racing.  I am surrounded mostly by guys who also love the sport of cycling, attempting new races, testing new bling titanium and carbon parts, reading maps, dodging wildlife, dealing with weather, and wrestling with my BGs along the way.

The day before World Diabetes Day, with the launch of The Blue Heel Society, that changed.

A bit.

It's definitely not that the BHS community is unkind.  Quite the contrary.  All involved, from the co-founders to all the folks awesome enough to post pics of Blue shoes, are the most thoughtful, encouraging, non-judgmental, and courageous people I've ever encountered.

It was just that instead of being surrounded by Trek Superflys with big knobby tires and 100mm of suspension travel, I find myself immersed with delicate Choos and Loubutins with a 5" heel.

At first it was intimidating to say the least.  I was completely out of my element.  I didn't even know the vocabulary. A Dolly Shoe?  A Peep Toe?

Oy.

Then there is the whole looking for Blue shoes, and trying to capture photos and talk to people about them, while out in public.  A little bit of a social mine field to say the least.

As time progressed, I began to fit in a little bit with this group made up of mostly women from all walks of life.  I learned the buzz words, and opted into conversations about shoes, diabetes, diets, and insulin to carb ratios with them.  Heck, I think I even noted once when Nordstrom had a sale.

If you stop and think about it, the social aspect is really JUST like when you or a loved one first get diagnosed with diabetes.  You are nervous.  Not sure what questions to ask or who has the answers to them.  Haven't learned the diabetes vocabulary.  Not even sure what styles you like - MDI? Glucophage? Pump? Retinopathy? CGM?

After a while you begin to find your footing.  You make close friends in the Diabetes Online Community.  You find organizations like the Blue Heel Society and Type1Rider.

You learn.  You feel safer.  You become more sure of yourself.

And, in the end, your realize that although all who deal with diabetes, in any capacity, are very diverse, we are all very much the same.

So yes.  Blue Heels.  Size 10. Men....

- Tony

Wanna walk in our shoes?? One size fits all....

Feeling rather full of joy and happiness at BHS Headquarters these days....we are feverishly finalizing our February 4th meetup in Boston and working on our Coast to Coast take over with our next meet up in.....VEGAS, baby!! That's how we roll.....

We decided tonight...collectively....that we really want to hear how you, our REASON for being here, walk the walk.

So, here is our deal....stop us if you've tried this one on....

We are offering a guest blog spot....to....YOU.

You, our friend, our ally, our family.


You will be treated to a one on one phone interview with BHS co founder "Guess WHO??" and given carte blanch to tell your story,  share your photos,  plug your job,  advertise your blog, everything.....

Here is how to do it.....

We are starting NOW....the 850th "LIKE" on our Facebook page found here gets our first spot....then, we will continue to promote your stories every 50th "LIKE"!

Spread the word...show the love....

Wear the shoes.

Do these shoes make my heart look big??

It occurs to us that many of you are out and about on the hunt for the elusive perfect...blue....shoe...for...you.

Who are you shopping with?
What are you telling them?
Are you making it a family affair?
Mother-daughter time?
Girls? Are you taking your special loved one with you?
Fellas...shopping for your lady friends?

You see...that is the beauty of the Blue Heel Society....it is an all encompassing campaign. You need not do anything except show love for someone who lives with diabetes. AND...you get some fabulous blue kicks out of it.....

Tell us your story....how did you and your husband/girlfriend/child/sister/bestie find the perfect blue shoe??

The point all along is to share something unique and special with someone you love. That is what we get to do every day....with you. <3

Which Shoe....drives you??

So, we are all super excited to have set a date for our first official meet up. Plans are being laid for having some phenomenal guest speakers as well as meeting all of YOU! It actually puts a twinkle in our step as we are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and love you have shown us. It is rather humbling to be in the company of powerhouses  like yourselves. We will never be able to articulate just what it means...but we will certainly try...and pay it forward.

Let us know if you will be in Boston, Saturday, February 4, 2012. We will announce our venue in an upcoming post and will announce our fabulous guests!

Tonight, we were all chatting about inspiration...and you are certainly ours.

WHO, we wonder, inspires you? Do you read a certain blog? Follow a D peep faithfully on Twitter or FaceBook? Do you participate in DSMA? We would LOVE to hear about the people who totally read your mind, and say your words!

Email us at 187C@blueheelsociety.org and tell us who you love and we will feature you and them in our blog each month. Free advocacy the RIGHT way....

Keep those fabulous shoe photos coming, dolls!

Our First BHS Inaugural Gala...

‎"Meet up" is now in the planning stages for our Inaugural Blue Heel Society gala and lambs, we have set a date!

Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Boston Massachusetts.

We have all the delicious details in the works, and will be posting them directly when we secure our location!

IT IS A MUST ATTEND EVENT DOLLS!!

Stay tuned!!!

I love her...heart...and sole.

Just want to share some thoughts about the woman in the blue heel.

You love her. She is your wife, the mother of your child, your "sister", your friend, your equal.

She walks the halls at night, every night. Meter in hand, testing the tiny hand.
She walks the halls of the office, earning her way.
She walks the schools, the stores, the yard...the mile.

She is the person who you rely on. She is your best friend. She is a mother. She is a fighter. She is a lover. She is a victim of this disease too. She is beautiful from the inside out.

When she slips that blue heel onto that tender foot, look into her eyes and remind yourself how wonderful that woman really is....because she is DEMANDING that her love for her family is above all. She is showing you her love for you. She is fighting for you. For her child. For herself.

She is elite.

Do you have to ride "side saddle" in high heels?

Oh, lambs!! We have done it now! Grab your Choos...and watch us make a little history. Our first ever TourdeCure!! New England is proudly welcoming our Society in for a leisurely bike excursion and we want YOU there....We have supplied you with the link....sign up! Let's get our "bike" on in FABULOUS shoes.....and do it for our loved ones!!



http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?team_id=527215&fr_id=8028&pg=team

Thanks for all of the love....Right back to you....and your blue awesomeness!

Where did you get those Blue Heels??

Hi Dollfaces.  Sitting tonight, thinking of how quickly this little idea blossomed into something I can wholeheartedly endorse. Today, I was out, and realized how much I found myself looking at peoples'...footwear. Not that I didn't do that already, but today was different. I was looking for blue shoes. How brash! I honestly chuckled out loud and shook my head, and snapped back into reality...how silly of me to think that this "little" ambassadorship had gone viral into mainstream Target-land...and there in the aisle between the swiffer pads and the toiletries.....I would find a little blue swarm of hands* in* the* air , blue-heel clad D peeps waving and calling me over...oh, yes, my mind went there...(hence the giggle). No, there were no blue shoe wearing advocates in Target today, or at the gas station.....and I made peace with that. For today. Because not seeing those shoes gave me a gift. I realize that for the first time....in a long time....I believe in myself. I believe that I found the right people, the right passion,  and the right reason.....not getting all sappy on ya... but, I believe that if you are reading this, and you are...cause we are WHERE IT IS AT....then you too, looked for someone in those shoes.... Something so simple, yet identifiable as DARE I SAY IT?? Not. yet. ;) We are all looking for that connection. We all want to know we are not alone. What would I have done if I had seen someone in some killer Stuart Weitzman blue mules? I would most assuredly...without a doubt....cried. Then coveted their footwear. Don't act like yall don't know me!!  We'll touch on this more.....another night...when I can see through my contacts....tonight, I can only see blue. We are all in the same little shoe store together, friends, looking for the right fit. Let's pass the love around. Size 7, please!!

On another note, Supah D mama, and co founder of The Blue Heel Society, my dahlin' Lexi will be walking TALL tomorrow at the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. Wishing that every step she takes fills her heart with joy and pride and that she knows how much love and support the Society, proper, is sending to her. ROCK that walk, gurl.

Don't forget to email us...or tag one of us on Facebook!!  Look up there...to the right....a little more....THERE! Click that link and like our page! Tweet much?? Follow us on Twitter!  Tag us in your photos of you sporting your best BLUE KICKS! Have a great weekend Lambs, we'll chat soon!  Smooches~DWOWW