The Odd Duck Out ._c-

Natalie Sera: The Odd Duck Out ._c-Natalie Sera
Type 1.5 Diabetes, August 1992

“I’m a square peg in a round hole, so I’m always looking to learn as much as I can about all types of diabetes, and passing on tidbits of information, experiences, and relationships that it has brought into my life.”

The Odd Duck Out

When it was first suspected that I had diabetes in the fall of 1992, I was assigned to the Type 2 category because of my age (44) and the fact that I was a little overweight. But it soon became apparent that I did not fit the classic description. My cholesterol levels and blood pressure only became elevated when I started running high BGs, and I derived no benefit from losing 10% of my weight and exercising as I had been advised. By fall of 1993, I was uncomfortably symptomatic, and in December, was sent to an endo who put me on Glucotrol, a sulfonylurea, which did exactly nothing for my BGs. So I begged for insulin and started it in May 1994, and have not looked back since then. At this point, I’m using a pump, and it has given me my quality of life back. I’m also eating a reduced-carb diet, and getting wonderful results from it.

I have been involved in the Diabetes Online Community since before it started, beginning with the Usenet group, misc.health.diabetes in 1993, and the Lehigh list at the same time. A group led by Dr. Arturo Rolla of Harvard University broke away from that group, and is still going, and I’m still a member. In 2010, I found TuDiabetes, and have been active there ever since, and several people encouraged me to start a blog. I will admit that I’m a reactive rather than proactive writer, and so that tends to be the nature of my posting. On occasion, I will react to things that are not diabetes related, but the D will be the central theme of my blog. I’m always interested in new topics, and reader input is greatly welcomed! :-)

Filed Under: LADA, Women with Diabetes Tagged With: ,

Four of our Advocates, featured on Health.com

Four of our Advocates were featured on Health.com; Amy, Karen, Kerri and Riva. Check it out here!

 

Health.com: 11 Great Blogs and Websites for Insulin Users

What it’s called: Diabetes Mine

Who it’s for: The insulin user interested in life with diabetes and larger issues affecting the community.

Why we like it: This eclectic blog features guest posts from doctors and other experts and has multi-part series on topics such as technology and social media. There’s even a little medical history thrown in.

 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , ,

Dia-Beat-This

Victoria CumbowVictoria Cumbow
Type 1 Diabetes, January 1993

“I blog about life as a young professional living with Diabetes, emphasizing outreach, support and advocacy with a passion for teens and young adults.”

Dia-Beat-This

For more than 18 years, I’ve lived with Type 1 Diabetes and learned that having a network of support contributes beyond all imagination to my Diabetes management and control. I’m thankful to have found the Diabetes Online Community, or the DOC. While I once was a coward and hid behind the disease, I now choose to embrace it because it has brought me joy, experiences and friends I can’t imagine not having in my life. As an adult, I’ve become a vocal advocate for the disease in the hopes of helping someone else through my experiences as others have done for me. We all want the same thing — a cure. But in the meantime, I want others to understand this disease, and I want to share my experiences with others in the hopes of gaining more friends and more support.

My website and blog is devoted to my personal experiences and my life with diabetes. It will never be sugar-coated (forgive the pun) and will always be honest – good or bad. I hope you’ll find it useful and pass it along to others. My purpose is solely to reach out to other diabetics and people directly affected by the disease. You can also find me on Juvenation and TuDiabetes. In my local community, I work as a volunteer with two diabetes agencies. I’m currently serving as the publicity chair for the Huntsville JDRF office and a trained mentor through JDRF’s Alabama office. I also serve as the co-chair for Hot Shots – a local advocacy and outreach group in North Alabama. You can also find me on and TuDiabetes under Victoria Cumbow. As a patient and health blogger, I follow the Healthcare Blogger Code of Ethics and the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Ethics.

Filed Under: Members, News & Analysis, Type 1 Diabetes, Women with Diabetes Tagged With: , , , ,

Aliza with Diabetes

Aliza Chana ZaleonAliza Chana Zaleon of Aliza with Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes; November 2001

“About my day to day life living with type one diabetes, while attending college and striving to lead as normal a life as possible. I also have multiple other medical problems that complicate my d-life, but I’m thriving and living positively! Diabetes doesn’t have me — I have diabetes!”

Aliza with Diabetes

I’m Aliza, and I’m twenty five years old! I have multiple chronic illnesses and I try not to let that define me, and rather, I decide to DEFY the odds! A year ago, I would never have imagined myself in this position and a year from now, who knows where I will be?!? I have Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes and I’m on an insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor, and I have an A1c of 5.6! I have taken on Diabetes blogging as part of my goal to help define myself and redefine myself, so please join me on this ride! My twitter is @alizachana.

I am also beginning my own non-profit organization, Bags of Love and Hope to support Adult patients in hospitals and with chronic medical problems. I’ve recently been able to go back to school to begin my work on my degree so that I can start the process of getting on the track to get my combined MPH/MSW so that I can help others with chronic conditions advocate for themselves as I have done for myself. My goal is specifically to become a CDE and my concentration in my Public health degree is nutrition counseling. That is part of why I’ve started this Diabetes blog. I’m really passionate about what I do, and I love helping people!

I especially am passionate about making sure that young adults – specifically those in high school and college – take good care of their Diabetes as they are old enough to understand what Diabetes means, and how to care for themselves. Long term consequences in many cases can be prevented with proper care and control, and I am an advocate for access to the best tools available to maintain tight control!

Aliza's Diabetes

Filed Under: Members, News & Analysis, Parents of D-Kids, Sports, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Tagged With: , , , ,

Your Diabetes May Vary

Your Diabetes May VaryBennet Dunlap of Your Diabetes May Vary
Son and Daughter; Type 1 Diabetes

“YDMV and theBetesNOW are the miscellaneous ramblings of a Type 1 Diabetic family. YDMV from a parents perspective and theBetesNOW videos by and for teens.”

YDMV – theBetesNOW

As a family with two Type 1 Diabetic teens, we try to pursue life, liberty and happiness & bring diabetes along for the ride. More often than not that involves managing less than perfect blood sugars in less than perfect situations and keeping those variances from preventing what we are pursuing in the first place.

the Betes NOW

Filed Under: Members, News & Analysis, Parents of D-Kids, Type 1 Diabetes Tagged With: , , , , ,

This is Caleb…

Lorraine SistoLorraine Sisto of This is Caleb…
Son; Type 1 Diabetes, January 2007

“Lorraine is the Mother of three children, the second of which, Caleb, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of three.”

This is Caleb…

Lorraine Sisto is the Mother of three children, the second of which is Caleb. Caleb has been living with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of three. Lorraine shares the stories of his life to increase awareness of the disease and to advocate for, support and be supported by others who are affected by it.

This is Caleb

Filed Under: Members, Parents of D-Kids, Type 1 Diabetes Tagged With: , , ,

Trials & Tribulations of Being a Type 1 Diabetic

Kelly BoothKelly Booth of Trials & Tribulations of Being a Type 1 Diabetic
Type 1 Diabetes, January 1984

“I have neuropathy & gastroparesis and want to share what I have been through to help others.”

Trials & Tribulations

My blog is about my Trials & Tribulations as a diabetic. I have neuropathy & have to use a walker. I had a bad foot infection & almost lost my leg – it was a two year battle that included MRSA. I have gastroparesis which makes trying to balance food & insulin fun. Even with the challenges, I have worked hard to keep my A1c below 6 the last couple years. I would like to share what I have been through so people know even when things look really bad, there really is light at the end of the tunnel.

Filed Under: Members, Type 1 Diabetes Tagged With: , ,

Texting My Pancreas

Kim ValsnikKim Vlasnik of Texting My Pancreas
Type 1 Diabetes, April 1986

“I write about my life with an emphasis on humor. Diabetes and hypothyroidism are best played as a team sport through support and camaraderie.”

Texting My Pancreas

Finding the Diabetes Online Community completely changed how I look at, and care for, my Diabetes. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of six, and also have hypothyroidism. I tend to look for the humor and irony in life’s challenges, and love being a part of the camaraderie and connection that defines our Diabetes community.

Filed Under: Members, Type 1 Diabetes Tagged With: , ,

Sweetly Voiced

Melissa LeeMelissa Lee of Sweetly Voiced
Type 1 Diabetes, July 1990

“Writer, singer, voice teacher, and Mom. She serves as an admin for TuDiabetes and navigated a successful Type 1 Diabetes pregnancy in 2009.”

Sweetly Voiced

MelissaBL, blogging at Sweetly Voiced, is somewhat new to the Blogosphere and Twitter, beginning with both in September 2010, but not new to the Diabetes Online Community, having served as an administrator for TuDiabetes.org since the fall of 2008. When she waxes diabetic, she writes to inform others about the daily struggles of Diabetes and the triumphs that make it worth it. She is a professional singer and a new mommy.

Filed Under: Members, Type 1 Diabetes Tagged With: , ,

Strangely Diabetic

Scott StrangeScott Strange of Strangely Diabetic
Type 1 Diabetes; 1970

“I blog to share how Diabetes has affected my life and how my life was changed when I learned that I wasn’t alone in this chronic condition.”

Strangely Diabetic

My name is Scott Strange and I have been a Type 1 Diabetic since 1970.

It took me nearly forty years to realize that I was not alone in living with Diabetes. At that time, I didn’t even realize that I needed the support of my diabetic peers; let alone that it was available.

That moment in time, that realization completely changed my life for the better. I participate in the Diabetes Online Community not only for my own health, but to also pass on my experiences to others.

Filed Under: Members, News & Analysis, Type 1 Diabetes Tagged With: , ,
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