WEGO blog challenge Day 21 - 'Reflection' #HAWMC

Monday, April 20, 2015

WEGO blog challenge Day 21 -  'Reflection'

This is a day to reflect. For the WEGO Health family, we reflect on the inspiring and tireless work Health Activists do every day. Reflect on your journey today. What are your thoughts and hopes for the future?

About six years ago, I went from gathering information to help with my Wife and diabetes, to advocating as strong as I could. 

One of the things that always bothered me was the infighting among those in the Diabetic Online Community (DOC) about which form of diabetes is the most important to be advocating for. This proved to do nothing short of  turning off the advocating that "Type" fighting should have brought together the DOC. Instead, it tore us apart. To be clear, the line between us splintered awareness, research, education into groups. I am happy to say that this "Type" fight has dwindled. We know now that advocating for ONE Disease as ONE Voice, we will get to the cure  faster.

I also used to keep daily statistics on how many times both the terms "diabetes" and "diabetic" popped up in various Google searches. Why you ask? The disparity was huge when I first started. I am happy to say the line has narrowed and we see less fighting on this topic today. 

This IS important as we keep advocating for all of us affected by diabetes using ONE Voice to do so. It is noteworthy because we see much less distractions between the two Terms which allows a stronger Voice as we move forward. 

We must remember that behind every diagnosis of diabetes is a PERSON, NOT a Term. As diabetes keeps showing as a pandemic, it also affects every person on the planet, as a trickle down effect of how diabetes infects our community everywhere we turn.

So as I reflect on my advocating I am pleased we are understanding that the ONE Voice needed is for all of us,

ONE Disease, ONE World, ONE Voice. Let's get busy...

Day 2 of #HAWMC: Sharing

Today's challenge is about sharing. The Diabetes Online Community, or the DOC, will share everything there is to share about diabetes. For as much as we hate this blasted disease we are more than "happy" to tell our stories, share our great ideas and talk about diabetes. Just ask my kids..."Mooommm!! That's all you EVER talk about!!" For this post, however, it's sharing links to our old posts that would help newly diagnosed diabetics. So I'll share our links and/or helpful phrases because...well....that's all I ever talk about!!

Helpful things for the newly diagnosed:

1.

Yes, I know...hard to believe, and I would NOT have believed it myself when my first daughter was diagnosed. By the second daughter's diagnosis...I know this to be true! 

2. Sleep as you know it will cease to exist. Remember having a new born baby in the house? That's a piece of cake compared to the sleepless nights of D-rents (that's Diabetes Parents for those who don't know the lingo).

3. Diabetes is NOT an exact science...don't let anyone tell you differently. They main thing to remember here is don't give up!! Take each day blood sugar number by blood sugar number. Treat, bolus, whatever you need to do but move on. Giving up isn't an option anyway...diabetes will still be there. 

4. Diabetes isn't all rainbows and unicorns. Diabetes isn't all doom and gloom but I will share with you one of our most read blog posts to date. It is a post that no one likes to talk about but everyone sure does get. It's Diabetes: the ugly side. 

I could go on but I'll stop here as I think this would overwhelm any newly diagnosed diabetic or caregiver. Just know that YOU are not alone.

Film Crews, Blue Shoes and Advocacy

This past Friday, my family had a very unique opportunity. We were asked if we could have a film crew come and interview us during the Promise To Remember Me Campaign and interview us about JDRF, advocacy and D. I'm one of those ALWAYS say Yes type of people; so I did. Oh, did I mention, we were given 24 hour notice and my house was a mess and the school nurse had called to let me know Nora wasn't feeling well and my husband was on his way to pick her up early from school?!?!?! Yep! I like my days CRAZY!! That's how I roll!! The Producer calls me and asks about my affiliation with D and my story. She said she and the film crew would be at my house BEFORE the meeting...at 9am...meaning they would show up at our house at 7:30AM!! Fabulous!! Bring it! So they show up Friday morning. Mic Nora and I up for sound and film us walking out the door (twice), walking to the car, opening the car door and getting in (twice), our drive downtown, walking in downtown Cincy to the Carew Tower, getting on the elevator to meet with Congressman Steve Chabot, when whom should get on our elevator?? but Steve Chabot!! Pretty Cool!  We go up to his office and meet up with JDRF staff and Board Members, families and most importantly, Type 1 kids and adults! Everyone introduces themselves to Mr.Chabot and tells their D story. The cool thing about these meetings is that of the two we have participated in, BOTH the State Rep's have talked to the kids! They engaged them and wanted to know what D was like for them. The kids told them all about D, the good, the bad and the ugly and the State Rep's listened! At the Chabot meeting, he actually asked, "What can I do to help you?" Excuse me...did I hear right??? YES!! He asked how HE could help US!! Amazing!! If you can in anyway participate in this Campaign please DO!! This is better than any Civics lesson my daughter could learn in school. This is a field trip with a purpose and it's THEIR purpose...DIABETES!! To read about the Promise To Remember Me Campaign or to sign up to attend a meeting you can do it here.

But I really need to fill you in on some other things too! Let me say, I am NOT political! I have that awful "I can see both sides to every issue"problem and can't make a decision: Republican, Democrat, Independent. But that didn't stop me from signing up to advocate! I wish I could have as much passion for ALL issues as I do for Diabetes. I don't care what Party you are with ...I'll talk about D to a donkey!! (and an Elephant too!!) :) I'm fighting for Federal Money that is VITAL to research so that a cure can be found!! PERIOD. That's my party affiliation.

The other item I need to share with you was our interview. They interviewed me first and asked me the standard "tell me about the diabetes diagnosis, etc"...you know, the questions you could answer in your sleep! Then she asked me to sell her on why she should be an advocate...why I advocate. This should be a simple answer...I just do!! But she pressed me further...WHY do I advocate. Well, I advocate for Nora. But I advocate for ALL diabetics. I am the voice for the diabetics who can't voice their frustrations and challenges. I am advocating so that ALL diabetics will be Remembered!! Not just my cute daughter, Nora but ALL DIABETICS!! The ones that are right there in the same room with me and the ones who can't be. The one's who are feeling different and don't want people to know they have D...the one's who suffer in silence because they think no one cares about them. But. I. Do! I advocate for YOU! 

They interviewed my daughter next and asked her similar questions too. They asked why she advocates for diabetes (other than to get out of school for a few hours!) she simply said "to get us one step closer to a cure"! Well said! 

The film crew followed us around the house preparing a snack, writing a thank you letter to Congressman Chabot and Nora taking a run around the neighborhood. It was a neat experience...a little touch of reality tv stardom! The purpose of the filming is to recruit new advocates for the Promise To Remember Me Camapaign through our 3-5 min video. They also followed two other families on the West Coast. We can't wait to see the videos and of course will share it with all you Bluetiful peeps when it "airs". (Besides, I had three wardrobe changes with three different pairs of Blue Shoes!! I hope at least one pair makes it on the video!!)

So, besides sharing my day with you I want to leave you with one word...advocacy. You don't have to meet with Members of Congress to advocate for Diabetes Awareness...chances are if you're regularly reading our blog and "like" our fb page and wearing your Blue Heels,  your advocating. But really,  "Why do YOU advocate"?

JDRF Southwest Ohio Chapter Promise To Remember Me Campaign

'Behind the Blue Scenes' Week ending 02/12/2012

Welcome to this week's edition of 'Behind the Blue Scenes', where we share with all of you, some of what goes on as The BHS grows.

This week we rolled out BHSBabble on our Facebook Page, thanks to the GREAT folks at Fotobabble, where we welcome you to come share a picture & record audio to attach to the picture, and share with everyone *where* you *wear* and/or see Blue Shoes in action.

Our Facebook Fan Of The Week (chosen at random by computer magic based on interaction) is Megan Floyd. Our Facebook Fan Of The Week get's a FREE copy of the EndoGoddess App, available on Android as well as Itunes,.and also get’s mentioned in the 'Behind the Blue Scenes' Post, as well as bragging rights for being an AWESOME member of the BHS!

Lastly & certainly THE biggest story this week is the introduction of "Diabetic Barbie". She has taken Facebook by storm in just a few short days, all thanks to one VERY smart little girl named Emma, and a WONDERFUL DMom named Amy Ermel. We URGE you to visit & 'Like' her Facebook page, as we all help in every way we can to ensure "Diabetic Barbie" comes to life! Please make sure and visit Amy's Blog Laughing At Diabetes as well.

Still working on our *Shoebox* for applications to become a Chapter Luminary. Keep checking our Blog for details as we give you all you need to bring the BHS into your Community.

Get ready for an EXCITING Week coming up & keep on being as BLUETIFUL as can be!