Monday, November 9, 2009

D-Blog Day!

Today is D-blog Day for the Diabetes on-line community. A community that I wish I had more time to commit to but still am thankful beyond words for. When I first was diagnosed with Type 1, I had never felt so alone. My friends didn’t understand, my classmates didn’t understand, my co-workers didn’t understand, my family didn’t understand and many still don’t. As a matter of fact, I used to keep my illness a secret because I felt so ashamed, so alienated and so different. I simply wanted people to see what they saw and never know that I was fighting to stay alive.

Today, I am not ashamed. I may be different but I am the same. I may have an illness, but I am healthy. I have a voice and I use that voice, loud and clear. I strive to help people to understand. I strive to help those recently diagnosed. I want people to see that who I am includes a chronic disease. While that disease doesn't define who I am, it certainly helps explain who I am. Most of all, I am not alone. I am not alienated.

Today, I am surrounded by a plethora of online communities consisting of the most wonderful group of men & women who immediately became my friends.

Today was my day to turn in my 24 hour urine collection and get pricked once again. As I sat in the waiting room, I started thinking about when I was younger and trying to deal with what life had thrown me. I was so lost and confused and scared. I didn’t know who to ask for help and I didn’t know who would be able to help me when I had questions. Questions about my blood sugars, about weighing my food, about bruising from the needles, about peeing too much, about how I felt when I was low..or high. Today, I simply tweet, email or comment my concerns. No matter what they are, that community responds. That community understands. That community cares. That community has brought a peace of mind where there wasn't one previously.

Today, on D-Blog Day, I’d like to say thank you to those who began as strangers and quickly became friends. If for no other reason, I thank Diabetes for providing me with the helping hand, the sigh of relief, the peaceful warrior, that is the Diabetes on-line community.

Today, and every other day, thank you, thank you, thank you.






















Saturday is World Diabetes Day. Please wear blue to show your support. What would be even more fabulous is if you wore blue to the JDRF Walk to Cure at UNLV on Saturday!! Look for ‘Insulin: Shaken, Not Stirred’ and help us work toward finding a cure.

Hope to see you there!

On a side note, damn, I’m sick of pricks. So are my arms, fingertips, thighs, stomach, back and ass.


















*Peace.

3 comments:

  1. Hooray for the DOC! I'm sick of pricks too. (sigh) Good luck this Sat!

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  2. It is all about the community. That is the only thing Diabetes has done for me. Hooked me up with amazing friends! Happy dblog day!

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  3. I'm sick of the pricks too! I love the friendships and the support! You all rock!!! wow! Girl, you almost made me cry.

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