Accidental blog hiatus. You know what that means … mmm hmmm. Bullet points. Children with Diabetes* Friends for Life conference took place in Orlando last week, concluding on Sunday. It was exactly the diabetes emotional and educational refresher I needed, and I’ll have more in terms of stories to share this week. But for the time being, you can check…
It’s Complicated.
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes and Emotions, Diabetes Complications, SUM in Other PlacesThis month, in the most recent edition of The PLAID Journal, I contributed a piece about the complicated questions we get about diabetes, and how our answers are just as complicated. “Is diabetes hard? Yes. And no. There are times when I get mired in some of the tougher moments of diabetes, blowing up balloons by the dozen for a…
This was part of my daughter’s school work* last week: What about the thing that I am certain will happen today? I will have a rough blood sugar roller coaster. – nope. That’s not a certainty. Today’s been pretty mellow, to be honest. The temperature will be exactly 72 degrees and sunny today – nope. I live in New England….
Dino Days
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes and Emotions, Diabetes and Family, Diabetes Community, Diabetes Online Community, Psychosocial Support, Real Life Diabetes, RelationshipsBeing diagnosed with diabetes as a child twists time, making me feel like I’m not terribly old but that my diabetes is ancient and withered. Looking back at an online journal that chronicles almost half my life with diabetes paints me as a digital dinosaur, one whose story and community has evolved in response to time, technology, and ability. The…
The Diabetic Survivor: Interview with the Artist
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes Community, Diabetes Online Community, Real Life DiabetesI love when diabetes goes visible. Artistic interpretations of life with diabetes are my favorite, because they have this way of distilling diabetes down to a single image that says so much. I felt that way when I stumbled upon thediabeticsurvivor’s Instagram account, where simple drawings spoke volumes about the emotional baggage of diabetes. I love how his work peels back…
A Look at Body Posi Betes
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes and Emotions, Diabetes Community, Diabetes Complications, Diabetes Online Community, Psychosocial Support, Real Life DiabetesA few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Georgie Peters when I was visiting Australia. This woman is a force – a combination of positivity and raw honesty, writing about her lived experience with type 1 diabetes. She’s written here before and today she’s visiting SixUntilMe to talk about her latest social movement of combining body positivity and diabetes….
My favorite thing about Instagram is seeing a constant stream of creativity. Whether it’s men hating shopping or the hipster barbie one, I love scrolling through my feed and seeing people’s stories. When I stumbled upon Danielle’s account a few weeks ago, I was immediately intrigued by her unique and highly stylized expressions of life with diabetes. Today, artist Danielle…
Great Job! Stellar! You’re a Star!
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes and Emotions, Diabetes Community, Healthcare, Real Life DiabetesMan, all of this. The big mountain that is “the healthcare system?” That thing seems gigantic. But small changes make a big difference. I think about the stickers I used to get on my school papers back in grade school. The happy, bright yellow star grinning its toothless grin at me, delighted by my spelling homework. It seems goofy to…
An Interview with Chronically Healthy
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes Community, Diabetes Online Community, Diet and Food, Exercise & FitnessI met Emily Davis and Sarah Steinmetz of Chronically Healthy at a JDRF TypeOneNation last November, and their mission to help people with diabetes, and also folks living with other chronic illnesses, find peace and good health despite health challenges. They focus on the intersection between holistic modalities and conventional medicine. I really enjoyed talking with them both and wanted…
A Bad Case: Making Diabetes a Laughing Matter
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes Online Community, Real Life DiabetesThere’s a new comedy series about diabetes coming to a screen near you, and the project is shepherded by a familiar face: Erin Spineto of Sea Peptide Productions, self-proclaimed “type 1 diabetic, sailor and triathlete.” Erin is tackling diabetes advocacy through a comedic lens, and today she’s answering a few questions about her new project, A Bad Case. Kerri: Last…
Today is my birthday, and I’m hoping if you’re reading this entry, you know that my goal has been to make a difference for people with diabetes. My pancreas tapped out, but a mission tapped in, and I’m trying to do more good. In keeping with that hopeful theme of doing more good, I’d like to ask that you consider…