Showing posts with label You Can Do This Project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label You Can Do This Project. Show all posts

Monday, December 15, 2014

Video: Children Diagnosed With T1D Under 2 Years Old.

We interrupt this not actually scheduled blog break to tell you that there's a new group video today from the You Can Do This Project.

In case you need a reason to watch it, here are a few.

"We went in [to the pediatrician's office] and I told him that I thought my son had diabetes, and they told me that he did not - that children that young don't get diabetes. They checked him for strep and flu and both came back negative. They tried to send me home, telling me that he had just a virus and that the drainage was making him thirsty, but I knew there was something wrong."

"The doctor did a urine test [at her one year Well Child appointment] because she had a history of UTIs. Fortunately there wasn't any bacteria in her urine, but they did find sugar. The doctor thought this was an error, so they did a repeat test and again found sugar. There were really no symptoms."

"He had started breathing kind of funny, so my husband and I took him to the emergency room. We were told he had Bronchitis and he would get better. By Thursday of that week he was not able to stand on his own anymore, and he really could not stay awake. We took him to a children's hospital and he was finally correctly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. His blood sugar was around 500." 



You'll hear from five parents whose children were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before they turned two years old. My hope is that if you are already a parent of a young child with diabetes, you'll find some comfort in knowing you aren't alone. I hope the road seems less bumpy over time as your fellow travelers point you to the less turbulent parts of it. I hope that feeling of "me, too" relieves even the slightest bit of the anxiety, fear, and discouragement you may know.

My other hope is that conversations like this one help spread the word on what the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are. As these parents explain, babies can't tell you how they're feeling. It becomes very, very important to know the signs - it could save a child's life. If a child you know is experiencing any combination of the list below, please consult with a doctor immediately.
  • excessive thirst
  • frequent urination; soaked diapers
  • drowsiness and lethargy
  • increased appetite
  • sudden weight loss
  • fruity, sweet odor to breath
  • heavy, labored breathing       from JDRF.org


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

"Keep Going."

The minutiae of my diabetes life is looking pretty blurry lately - it's less "paying close attention" and more "auto-pilot".

I dipped my pinky toe into the CGM in the Cloud waters last week by downloading Chromadex, and thereby downloading (for the first time, at home) my Dexcom G4 CGM data onto my Macbook. It's hard to believe I'm doing well when those pie charts are predominantly lemon.

But, as a famous fish once said, I need to just keep swimming. It may not feel comfortable or look pretty or get me very far, but it's worth doing.

Or, another way: just keep going.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...





(You can find the photo set for these "Words of Hope" on the You Can Do This Project Facebook page.)

Monday, June 30, 2014

Video Reboot.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...Just a quick note to say that the You Can Do This Project has a new introduction video:





We hope you'll continue to share your story, and encourage others to do the same.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Been There.

I'm really encouraged to see attention being brought to the link between living with diabetes and living with mental health issues. In case you've missed some of them:

  • Diabetes Advocates issued a press release, raising awareness of "diapression"
  • The American Diabetes Association also issued a release specifically addressing depression in patients with T1D (though I didn't like the tone at the beginning; tastes a little blame-y)
  • You Can Do This Project has been sharing guest posts written by people in our community who balance the management of diabetes with mental health (if you'd like to write one, we'd love to feature it), and released that group video earlier in the month
  • Diabetes Blog Week instigated a flurry of blog posts from around our community about how diabetes impacts us emotionally

It's one of those really uncomfortable topics for a lot of us to talk about, but I'm so glad when we do. I've always admired the way people draw strength from the very things that supposedly make us weak. I know I'm cherry-picking the following quotes; forgive me:

"I know that the night is not the same as the day: that all things are different, that the things of the night cannot be explained in the day, because they do not then exist, and the night can be a dreadful time for lonely people once their loneliness has started. 

The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places." 

- Ernest Hemingway

I hope that by knowing we are not alone in the night, we will find some of that strength.




Thursday, May 8, 2014

Video: Diabetes and Mental Health.

You Can Do This Project has really ramped up the video production lately, yeah?

Today we published the latest in the "We Can Do This" video series - a discussion on how living with diabetes impacts our mental health. I know this isn't an easy conversation for many to have, but talking about it is important. When we don't see or hear anyone else mentioning it we start to believe we may be the only one who feels depressed, anxious, or hopeless. We feel overcome and overwhelmed. We wonder if it's worth it to even try.

Isolation is like a poison for mental health.

I hope that if any of this sounds familiar to you, you'll take some comfort in seeing these faces and hearing their words. Depression, for example, affects people living with diabetes at twice the rate of the general population.

You are not alone.





Be sure to check out our video on diabetes and anxiety, too, if you haven't already seen it.

If you'd like to share your story of how living with diabetes impacts your mental health, You Can Do This Project is also looking for guest posts to feature in the month of May. Get a hold of us - what you say could be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Encouraging Independence.

I couldn't be more proud of the video You Can Do This Project published this morning. It features a group of parents that are in the midst of encouraging independence in their own children and teens when it comes to the responsibilities of diabetes care. They were willing to open up about their struggles and successes in the hopes of reassuring other parents that if they can do this, you can do this too. 



Friday, January 17, 2014

You Can Do This Project: Adding To The Team.

I'm ridiculously pleased to announce two new members to the already incredible You Can Do This Project Advisory Team: Meri and Jacquie!

I welcome the perspective, passion, and general awesomeness these two will add to the work we do. Our group of nine will be working hard to bring that feeling of "me, too" to more of the diabetes community in 2014, and we hope you'll continue to support our efforts to do so.

As you may have guessed, furthering the mission of You Can Do This Project will be among my many Leaps of Doom in 2014. I couldn't imagine better people to take that leap with than all of you.



Wednesday, December 11, 2013

#GiveAllTheThings: You Can Do This Project Bracelets.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed - congratulations to Catherine Forbes!

* * * * *
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

What you can win: An entire bag of You Can Do This Project bracelets/bands! (I think there's 50/bag? 100? I don't remember, but it's "a lot".)

Duck not included.


Made possible by: These bands were manufactured by Hope Paige Medical and paid for, in part, with a Seeds grant from the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

Why you want this: These bands were originally purchased with the intention of handing them out at conferences in 2013 - after exhibiting at both Friends For Life and TCOYD - Omaha this year, we have some leftovers!

I know that several times in the past individuals have asked me how to get one of these - while I have some extras, it's not possible for me (financially, time-wise, etc.) to mail a bracelet to everyone who has asked for one. (And because Seeds grant money was used to purchase them, it gets kind of sticky to "resell" them, even to cover shipping costs. They have to be used for what they were intended for - to give away.)

But send one person a bag of them, to distribute to others in their community (or as they see fit)? I can do that.

Having a small reminder on your wrist of the diabetes online community and the fact that, whatever you're facing, you aren't alone - it can be a huge help.

To enter today's contest: Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter today's contest. You will earn two entries by leaving a comment on this blog post telling me who you would share your bracelets with  (required) if you won. You can also earn extra entries for liking the You Can Do This Project Facebook page and following @YCDTProject on Twitter - so, four entries are possible per person!

Rules: This contest ends tonight at midnight CST, and is open only to... wait, no, it's open to everyone. (How awesome would it be to get some You Can Do This love to another country?!) #GiveAllTheThings contests are intended for people with diabetes (or their caregivers) only. Since the Rafflecopter widget requires you to share an email address, I'll be emailing the winner (as well as announcing them through an update on this post) Thursday morning - you'll need to respond to me by Sunday evening (let's say 7:00 pm CST) with your shipping address in order to claim your prize. If I don't hear from you, I'll pick a new winner.

Getting to the post office doesn't happen too often with a four-month-old, so forgive me if it takes a bit for me to get them to you.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, November 14, 2013

#DWontStopMe: My Video.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...The "Diabetes Won't Stop Me" video launch is today!

Here's mine:




Make sure to use the hashtag #DWontStopMe when you share your video! (Or, tag me - @txtngmypancreas on Twitter, or @textingmypancreas on Instagram - and I"ll find you that way, too.) I'm excited to see everyone's videos!

All of the #DWontStopMe posts are being curated here: http://youcandothisproject.com/category/dwontstopme/.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: The Tradition Continues.

(Okay; it's not Wordless: the "tradition" revolves around the onesie Rabbit is wearing,
which originated with Gina Capone and her handsome little man. She sent it to me,
and now I'll send it to another DOC mom for her little one.)


Speaking of You Can Do This Project: Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...I'm going to have a pretty exciting collaboration to share with you later this month, but in the meantime, did you know we're going to be at TCOYD Omaha this Saturday?

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

News For The You Can Do This Project.

Hey, you! You should head over to the You Can Do This Project site today (use the button to the right if this post) - there's a promotion announcement over there!

And I'll level with you - it's pretty awesome.

Friday, August 17, 2012

You Can Do This: Joe Solo.

Last year was the first time I became aware of a guy named Joe Solo. (Actually his full last name is Solowiejczyk - much like my own name, it's often mispronounced.) My introduction came during the Friends For Life conference last year, and as it was my first time there, the whole thing was new to me. I didn't know that CWD gave out awards each year. I also didn't know why the room of 3,000 or so people suddenly rose to their feet during the banquet dinner one night, generating loud applause peppered with "Wooo!"s and whistles.

"Who is this? I don't even... but everyone else is clapping. Okay." And up I stood, clapping along with them, for this stranger on stage. It was later mentioned that he had marked 50 years with type 1 diabetes earlier that year, so okay, that's pretty cool, but still - I was perplexed. Why were my friends so in love with this guy?

Then I attended what I believe was called "Diabetes Burnout" - a session Joe led. Literally within the first minute of his opening remarks, it hit me. Oh. This guy. This guy speaks my language - including the bad words! I love this guy! And I got it. It happened again this year; I chose a session that ended up not being what I expected it to be, and taking the suggestion that was presented to us on day one of "if you're in a session and you don't dig it, it's okay to get up and leave and find one that suits you", a few friends and I headed to Joe's session. Within the first ten seconds of entering the room, I felt as though I had found "home".

It's not enough to tell you that he "gets it". I'm not sure it's enough to tell you that he might be one of my favorite PWDs to listen to; that the wisdom he drops will blow your mind, if you haven't heard it before; that he is what I think the epitome of the spirit behind You Can Do This is. He's not perfect, and he realizes that. He celebrates that. And you know what? If Joe can survive type 1 diabetes for 50+ years with the attitude and personality he continues to have - there's a lot of hope for the rest of us.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

That's Just... Love.

Saturday morning was an early one, as the alarm went off at 4:30 am. Why so early? It was JDRF Walk Day, yo!



With Jess' help, we brought the You Can Do This Project to some of the hundreds of families in attendance. We spoke with kids, parents, and adults alike. We met a mother whose son had been diagnosed just three weeks ago - they were there to meet other families, and to see what insulin pumps were all about. We watched the light click on behind people's eyes when we transitioned from "people are telling me about something" to "people who know" - as soon as I'd spot a pump on someone, I was quick to gesture to my own. All of a sudden, they were much more interested in what we were saying.



It was also fun, as it always is, to have a buddy with diabetes on your team. When an adult with type 1 mentioned how difficult it was for her to battle post-breakfast highs, Jess and I clicked on our Dexcom receivers and showed her that she wasn't alone. (Oh hi, 323 mg/dL.)

We also encountered a woman at our table who was just acting... funny. Her words weren't making much sense; her eyes darted all over the place. She spoke louder than necessary, even with the crowd. A Medtronic pump was clipped to her pocket. "I should really do [a] test, but I don't have my glucometer. Left it at home", she mumbled, and we got to work: Jess quickly offered, "Do you want to use mine?", and the lady readily accepted. While Jess lanced the lady's finger, I fumbled through my bag for glucose tabs.

A 44 mg/dL flashed on the screen. "Oh. 44. That's low", said the woman; acknowledging and then immediately dismissing the information. She picked up a marker and began writing on one of our marker boards.

"Hey... why don't you eat some glucose tabs first, okay?", one of us cheerfully suggested. I thrust a vial of tabs in front of her; the top popped open and ready to go. She stuffed two tabs in her mouth and chomped away; trying to make conversation at the same time.

"Oh! These are actually good! What kind are these?" (They were GlucoLift Wildberry - I still had a sleeve of them in my purse from FFL.) Just then, her daughter (or at least someone that age that knew her) walked up, and wanted to know where to order the tabs. (Amazon, yo.) I was still sifting through my purse, trying to find more glucose for her - a bag of fruit snacks. Down they went.

Whether she started feeling better or not, we weren't sure, but she was ready to take off. "Thank you so much, you guys. Thank you. I needed to test, and you even poked my finger for me. Thank you. That's just... love. You guys are so nice. Thank you."

That pretty well summed up the feeling all morning - love.


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Start.

I don't even know how to put into words what I'm feeling today.

Grateful, amazed, and determined are all I can come up with right now. So, so grateful above all else.

Thank for your continuing support of You Can Do This - things are just getting started, my friends.

http://www.diabeteshandsfoundation.org/2012/08/2012-dhf-seeds-recipients/

Friday, July 20, 2012

Wish You Were There.

For those who wanted to attend, but couldn't.

For those who did attend, and want to relive a bit of it.

For those who have no idea what all of these acronyms (CWD, FFL, YCDT, OMG) are about.

Thank you.



P.S. I set up a seperate Twitter account this morning, too - go follow @YCDTProject!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Friends For Life: The Booth.

Bring the You Can Do This Project to Friends For Life is an experience that I will always, always remember. It's a collection of memories that will be locked up in my heart until the day it stops beating. (Overly dramatic? Maybe. But it's true.)

I'll never forget seeing the booth for the first time and thinking, "AAAAAH! That's... this is a thing! It is really happening!"

I'll be forever grateful for the handful of people who gave up their time and money (because really, they had to miss some of the sessions they paid for) to help me out with this. Brian, Chris, Dayle, Sara, Jess, and Courtney - these people are amazing, and were a huge part of why the booth was truly a success. They helped lug a bunch of heavy stuff around (okay, we might have used a bellboy for most of it... advantage of the hotel setting); they saw what needed to be done (or what I might want done) and jumped on it; they knew how to connect with people as individuals. They were kind, passionate, and focused. They brought me Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast on Friday. They ROCKED IT.


I'll never forget the hundreds of positive responses that went something like, "This is so needed. I'm glad you all are here", or "Can I take some of these flyers home with me?", or "Wait, this isn't a company? It's just you?", or "This is so awesome!".

A parent also asked me if I'd heard of something called It Gets Better. I smiled, said that I had, and took it as a very high compliment that she made that connection.

I'll never forget the man who pulled me aside to tell me that I had changed his life, because he had realized after reading and watching that he wasn't alone.

I'll never forget the woman whom Chris directed to me, and her story: she had found the project three weeks prior. Her family is the "go-to" when there is a newly diagnosed T1 child in the area - her family is the first resource they find. She had been sharing You Can Do This with her network, and she told me that it was already changing lives. She told me that what I - and we - are doing is making a huge impact for those families. She thanked me, and I was speechless.

(Care to place a wager on whether or not that made me tear up?)

I'll also never forget the teenage girl who walked past our booth, then slowed to a stop at the stickers. She shrieked, "Oh my god! These are awesome! Can I take a handful of these?", to which I responded, "Of course!". She then turned to her friend, eyes sparkling and enthusiasm radiating, and said: "You know what would be funny? To put these on the wall of a bathroom stall. Or on someone's forehead when they go on a date! Oh my god, that would be hilarious!"

Sigh.

But really? The whole experience of actually talking face-to-face with the very people who can benefit from the support these videos supply - parents, adults with T1, teens, kids - was unreal. It had an energy that was just - wow. Do you know what I'm talking about? The air just feels electric and tastes of possibility? Where you catch yourself grinning like a fool for no reason? Where the invisible puzzle pieces of life slide together just ever-so-perfectly for a few fleeting moments? Where you know they won't freeze in place, so you just soak it up while you can?

God, I loved that feeling. Loved.

And out of the whole thing, I have a lot of new videos to share - including the one below (big thank you to Sara for putting it together!). We brought two dry erase boards with us and asked people one of two questions: "What advice do you have for other people with diabetes?", and "What kinds of things CAN you do with diabetes?".

I think it turned out pretty spectacularly. What do you think? (And what would your answer have been? Snap a photo of YOUR advice, and share it on the You Can Do This Project Facebook page.)


Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Facade Of "Fine".

Whoops. I found this post in my drafts folder from last month, and thought I had published it - apparently I did not. Some conversations at Friends For Life last week actually touched on this very topic, so I think now could be a good time to *actually* put this out there. Just ignore the future tense I speak in at the start. :)

* * * * *

As I get ready to represent the You Can Do This Project at Friends For Life next month, I'm reading back through the posts, emails and comments that shaped what the project is all about. I'm reliving the emotion, candor and relief that was felt when people let their guard down a bit more and shared, "I'm really struggling. This is so hard. I want to give up some days. I hate this."

The kinds of videos that are upbeat, inspiring and optimistic are great, and they definitley have value in certain situations, for certain people. There are times that those bits of encouragement are helpful and needed. But you know what? It's easy to watch and benefit from those videos when we're already in a good place, diabetes-wise (or life-wise). It's easy to say, "Yeah! I totally got this!" when we're in a groove already.

But when we're not? When we're really far down that rabbit hole? Those particular videos might not help. They actually might cause more harm - because they feed the illusion of "fine".

It seems to be a common human reaction - to say we're fine, when we're not. We say it because it's easier; because we don't want to "get into it" with that person; because it's the expected answer. We say we're fine because if we told people the truth - the ugly, unvarnished, raw truth - they wouldn't know what to say in return. We can't be honest because that particular sort of honesty makes other people uncomfortable, and that discomfort creates more challenges for us. When we're not fine, the last thing we need is more problems.

Admitting that "fine" is a facade takes a huge amount of bravery, but that one act can permeate the lives of so many others who feel that way, too. Living under that facade of fine can feel crushing. Making a You Can Do This video is a chance to step away from that put-together version of ourselves that we tend to show others. It's an opportunity to say "You know, I actually don't have this all figured out. I'm struggling, too", and show someone else that they aren't the only one. That it's okay to be "not fine". That, sometimes, you fail spectacularly as well - but you keep on trying.

You can help lift that weight for someone else.

My original intent with YCDT was to create a safe place for people to talk about the really tough stuff, and I think we're doing just that. You'll find videos covering depression, high A1Cs, guilt, shame... a lot of people have really put themselves and their experiences out there. I love that.

What I'm hoping is that people with diabetes will continue to share the tough stuff. I know there are struggles out there that haven't been thoroughly covered yet, and I recognize that people wish there was a video for this or that particular topic.

I wish that too. It's up to you to be that resource.

It's up to you to share your story.

* * * * *

I'll have a wrap-up of "how the booth went" tomorrow. Promise. :)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

YCDT Swag at FFL.

You may have seen me hinting during the earlier parts of this month that I'd secured some "giveaway" items for the You Can Do This Project table at the Friends For Life conference next month... and now I can finally talk about them!

Thank you to the extreme generosity from both individuals and companies for making these possible!

Here we go:

Each of the following two items will be won by a drawing we'll have at the exhibit hall:



And freebies to give away to conference attendees? We have those too!



I want to draw special attention to those last two items, because they are being completely paid for by the indicated parties. Brian volunteered to make these stickers happen, and I'm really excited and grateful! Hope Paige Medical could have easily and understandably turned down my lofty (and, frankly, uncomfortable for me) pitch of "Hey, you should let me design a silicone bracelet, and then make several hundred of them and ship them to me for free. Yes?", but instead they're doing exactly that, and I'm once again thankful for their generosity! (This is the same company who sponsored twelve medical ID giveaways last year to support You Can Do This.)

I'm also going to hint that I have another very cool giveaway lined up... for TCOYD! Details to come.

In the meantime, will someone jump up and down with me a bit? THIS IS SO EXCITING!!

To find out more about these kind folks, follow the linkage:

Cari's Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/CCARIA

Kewl Innovations (makers of the ClimaPak): http://www.kewlinnovations.com/

Not My Cell (Brian): notmycell.blogspot.com/

Hope Paige Medical: http://www.hopepaige.com/

Friday, June 22, 2012

AAAAH!

You guys, this is really happening.

I immediately teared up when the nice FedEx lady
brought this up front. She very likely thinks I'm nuts.

I also have some exciting things to share about the You Can Do This Project booth at the Friends For Life conference (which is less than two weeks away, now), but that will have to wait until next week. (Hint: remember that stuff in this post that I said we likely wouldn't have? And notice the "big, cool sign" I've pictured above?)

Suspense!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Happy Birthday, YCDT!

The You Can Do This Project turns one year old today!

It all started with this:




...and it keeps going strong.

Things are never perfect. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to do our best when it comes to living with and managing this disease, but it does mean that we can let go of the idea that we're not good enough; that we aren't worthy of happiness; that it's too late for us.

It's never too late.

We may be down a road we never thought we'd be on, and the way back looks scary. It means admitting that we're on this road to begin with. It means trying harder than we ever have; harder than we think we can.

It's never too late.

Have you been meaning to do a video, but just never got around to it?

It's never too late.

Chances are there's someone out there dealing with the very same thoughts, feelings and frustrations as you who needs to hear your story. Someone who thinks it's just them; who thinks that no one understands; who feels so completely alone.

They need to hear from you.

Use whatever means you have necessary to record video (camera phones work too, ya know...), upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, etc., and shoot me a link to it so that I can get it on the You Can Do This website and YouTube channels.

Share your story - be a light in someone's darkness.

* * * * *

It would appear that a few other people are celebrating this one year mark as well - here are the posts I've found so far. Wow!

Rachel: http://talesofrachel.com/2012/06/15/happy-birthday-to-ycdt/

Bob: http://tminustwo.net/2012/06/15/she-can-do-this-and-she-did/

Jeff: http://jeffmatherphotography.com/dispatches/2012/06/a-year-later-i-can-do-this-you-can-too/

Meredith: http://withasideofinsulin.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-can-do-this-one-year-later.html?spref=fb (with a video!)











Babs: http://babscampbell.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/you-can-do-this/

Lorraine and Caleb: http://thisiscaleb.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/you-can-do-this-anniversary-ycdt/

Bennet: http://www.ydmv.net/2012/06/you-can-do-this.html

Karen: http://www.bittersweetdiabetes.com/2012/06/happy-birthday-ycdt.html

Meri: http://www.ourdiabeticlife.com/2012/06/happy-brithday-you-can-do-this-project.html

Sarah: http://smartdpants.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/happy-1st-anniversary-you-can-do-this-project/

Kelly: http://diabetesaliciousness.blogspot.com/2012/06/diabetesalicious-lite-of-birthdays.html

Shannon: http://neuroticcity.blogspot.com/2012/06/hbd-ycdt.html

Bea: http://crankypancreas.com/2012/06/15/we-all-can-do-this/

Kate: http://www.tenaciouslysweet.com/2012/06/you-can-do-this.html

Mike: http://www.diabetesmine.com/2012/06/celebrating-one-year-of-you-can-do-this.html (with a new video contribution!)

Sarah: http://sugabetic.me/2012/06/another-fridayfind-ycdt-project-turns-1/

Colleen: http://dmeanderings.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/ycdt/

Debra: http://grammiescreations.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-can-do-this-project-happy-birthday.html