Well, time to kick off Diabetes Blog Week.
Topic:
Let’s kick off Diabetes Blog Week by talking about the diabetes causes and issues that really get us fired up. Are you passionate about 504 plans and school safety? Do diabetes misconceptions irk you? Do you fight for CGM coverage for Medicare patients, SDP funding, or test strip accuracy? Do you work hard at creating diabetes connections and bringing support? Whether or not you “formally” advocate for any cause, share the issues that are important to you. (Thanks go out to Kim of Texting my Pancreas for inspiring this topic.)
Honestly, where do I even start?? I could go on forever with this topic. As I do one of my camp trainings I am reminded of this video, Everyday Leadership I LOVE Ted Talks.
I also have a pinterest board, My Pinterest Board- I’m gonna change the world one day. There is also a Diabetes board and feminist board.
But to get to it, I want change in regards to children overall. Big changes, and this comes from Diabetes- but it doesn’t end with Diabetes. I want to be an advocacy lawyer for children, with special needs and life challenges. I am currently a Social Work Major at UGA. Next year I hope to graduate with my BSW, and head to law school.
Why do families who already have a special needs or life challenge- have to worry about one more thing? Like insurance, costs, mental health, SES, bullying, schools, doctors offices, the airport, medical companies, and SO MUCH MORE. I’ll just touch on a little bit.
I’m all over that 504 Plan- I hope to make changes to it so that it will be easier on families and schools, with my law degree one day. That’s a long time- so I’ll start now, I have big plans. I’ve included links to my 504 Plan posts below, 504 and Soapbox. I get VERY heated about 504 Plans.
I also get heated with Bullying. Why are we ONLY teaching kids (and adults) how to not get bullied and how to deal with bullying? Shouldn’t we also teach kids to not bully as well? Kind of like the don’t get raped instead of don’t rape thought process. Kids who are in certain situations tend to get bullied or teased more, not just Diabetes but other aspects of life. It really needs to end ASAP.
I also want to teach others how to advocate for themselves, and to believe in themselves. This is why I speak, this is why I am on the Disability Resource Center’s Speaker’s Bureau.
I’ve become a big advocate for People’s First Language, more of a post on this later. But. WORDS ARE POWERFUL. Especially with children.
I am involved in what I am now because I enjoy, but also because I want to go to law school for this. This is my guiding force through life; why I have taken certain classes, why I am social work major, why I blog, why I am president of Dawgs for Diabetes, why I am on the Student Affairs Advisory Board, why I speak, why I tweet, why I write, why I am a CASA, Why I am doing six weeks of summer camps at four different camps (as a volunteer), why I am involved with College Diabetes Network, why I am involved with Camp Kudzu as much as I am, why I am involved with JDRF, and so so much more.
What I want to do, is make the world a little nicer for everyone. I want kids to have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, to NOT be a statistic, to be more than their circumstances. I want more “AHA moments.”
Check out my boards that are all about my advocacy side-
Love, Words, Inspiration, and Insulin! -Until next time! and until there’s a cure!
Hey you! Yes, you!
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There's More to the Story: a blog about LIFE, chronic illness, and Mental Health 
I’m glad there are people with your energy out there. Keep Going!
Thank you! the plan is to keep going!
Wow, I really admire you!! Everything you are doing – but what really spoke to me was the part about teaching people to advocate for themselves. I was recently in a JDRF group where someone was complaining that JDRF should set up a whole branch where people could turn to if they are having insurance troubles. She basically wanted JDRF to fight individuals insurance companies. And I know this is harsh, but my first thought was “why doesn’t SHE fight instead of whining that JDRF doesn’t fight her fight for her”. People definitely need help learning that they can fight and advocate for themselves – so thank you for working on that!
Thank you so much!! Means a lot. I don’t want to enable. I want to help.
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