Topic: As we wrap up another Diabetes Blog Week, let’s share a few of our favorite things from the week. This can be anything from a #DBlogWeek post you loved, a fantastic new-to-you blog you found, a picture someone included in a post that spoke to you, or comment left on your blog that made you smile. Anything you liked is worth sharing!

Blog Links Day 7

I have a hard time just picking one favorite post, new blog I’ve discovered, etc etc.

I really enjoy the overall experience of Diabetes Blog Week for so many reasons.

• It fosters a sense of community in the Diabetes Community, hopefully not just online.
• It brings various Types of people together to be united on one cause- more on this below.
• It’s a fun way to explore interests and writing skills with various prompts.
• It makes you think.
• It helps you find new blogs and others in the Diabetes Community.
• It also helps to get your blog out there as well.
• It’s therapeutic- good for the soul.
• It’s just a fun week.

I cannot wait- once I have more time on my hands after the CDN retreat and after the LSAT I’ll read more blogs! I’ve only scratched the surface! But who am I kidding? I rarely get any time.

More on the Diabetes community uniting- This week is Diabetes Blog Week- not just Type 1, not just Type 2, not just the other types as well, not limited to those living with Diabetes but also those impacted by Diabetes- which I think is incredible, Thanks Karen for making this so, and all that you’ve done.

We are ALWAYS so divided in the Diabetes community, and growing up I know I was a part of the problem, but as I’ve grown up a little bit I understand why it is so bad that we “trash” talk the other types, put down the others, continue misinformation, continue to be separate.

We are all living with Diabetes or are impacted by Diabetes in this community- so shouldn’t we stand united- for better care, for better insurance/medical policies, better treatment, a cure even?

If we stay separate it will take even longer for this to happen- yes we are different- but aren’t we still a little the same?

This week provides us with the chance to become united under a cause- Diabetes Blog Week. Which is incredible and important- what if we continue to grow as a united group? What if we became united outside of the DOC, online community, and social media- in the real world? On policy makers’ and leaders’ doorsteps.

What if we didn’t stand for what is going on together? Think of how powerful that could be? How much we would get accomplished?

I feel this applies not just to Diabetes- but disabilities as well. I identify Diabetes as a disability. I know that many of us living with Diabetes do not- and I understand why. The definition/term leaves a lot of hmm- to be desired? a lot left out? not sure exactly how to put it? I wish there was another broader term for all of us- but for law purposes it is the term I will be using and identifying with. Disability has such a negative spin on it too.

But I didn’t identify it as a disability until I got to college. I didn’t want to register with the Disability Resource Center- I was pushed to- but I am so glad I did- more on that later.

I wouldn’t be part of the Speaker’s Bureau, I wouldn’t have my scholarships. I wouldn’t have realized a lot of things with them. Diabetes is considered an invisible illness/disability- but we as a whole, don’t want to identify under that. But with People’s First Language- you aren’t “disabled” you are person living with a disability or a life challenge- BUT SO MUCH MORE.

so now I do- I think it’s important that I do- there are some rights guaranteed to me if I identify with one. I can be part of a larger community, and help fight for more rights and hopefully help others.

But the disability community is not united. Think of what we could do and get done if we were?

Love, Words, Inspiration, and Insulin! -Until next time! and until there’s a cure!

 

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We’ll both be glad you did! -Mindy