Lessons Of Perseverance.

Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Work, continuous work and hard work, 

is the only way to accomplish results that last. 

- Hamilton Holt

(ONE OF MANY SIZES OF) SKINNY JEANS FINALLY FIT YOU GUYS.

Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong.

- Peter T. McIntyre

Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.

- Thomas Carlyle

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

- Author Unknown

You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. 

- Jim Stovall

Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up.

- Alfred Pennyworth

When the world says "Give up", hope whispers… "Try it one more time".

- Author Unknown

You're Beautiful.

Yesterday, my friend Wendy shared something about her young daughter on Facebook.

And from yesterday until a few minutes ago, Sara, Jess, and I aggregated some of those affirmations... and now we're sharing them.

I WEAR GLASSES AND A PUMP AND MY FACE
ONLY GETS STUCK LIKE THIS SOMETIMES

For Wendy's daughter (who was - coincidentally? - diagnosed seven years ago TODAY), and anyone else who has to wear a lot of hardware: you can do this, and you can ROCK IT.

Talking With Tony.

Tony Rose was kind enough to invite me on his podcast this week, and in case you'd like to hear me babble on about about things like diabetes camps, celebrating diaversaries, feeling angry about diabetes, Friends For Life and the You Can Do This Project (because I obviously haven't talked about those last two things enough), I have a link for you: http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2012/07/bdp-049-interview-with-kim-vlasnik-cgm-data-and-diabetes-news/

I also mention fanny packs. You've been warned.

Highly Uncomfortable.

If we're connected on Twitter or Facebook, you may have seen that I had a bit of a scary HIGH on Friday. I haven't seen a number like that in... well, a really long time. Frankly, it freaked me the heck out.

So what can you do when it all goes wrong, despite doing everything "right"?

Apparently you grab the maple syrup out of your fridge, use groan-worthy puns, and attack a lion. (Sorry, Medtronic!)




(P.S. In case you're wondering who my furry friend is, he's Lenny the Lion - Medtronic's insulin pump mascot for kids, and kids at heart. His stomach, arms, legs and tush are made from polyurethane foam, which is fur-free and ready for kids to try out pump infusion sites on for practice. He's available from Medtronic's online store, and also from Build-A-Bear.)

(P.P.S. Disclosure: I received a free Lenny from Medtronic, as they sent one to all of the diabetes advocates who attended the Forum last month. I'm pretty sure this wasn't the use they had in mind.)

Failing.

I want to show you what it isn't.

Failing doesn't try. Failing doesn't care. Failing gives up when things are at their most precarious; right before the suffocating weight of darkness gives way to that tiny sliver of light. Failing throws up its arms to indicate surrender; not with clenched fists to promise a renewed fight.

Failing is a lie that guilt feeds you.

Failing doesn't bother to respond, or care what happens next. Failing is giving up. Failing is refusing to try.

Failing is not determined by a number or test result.

Failing doesn't keep working to find a solution; get up at 2:00 am to check a blood sugar; show up for their doctor appointments.

Failing accepts defeat. Failing internalizes fear. Failing believes that fault only lies within itself.

Do you know how many times I, and so many others, see those same cruel results after our hard work? Do you know how many people are out there living healthy, happy and completely imperfect lives?

Failing is good, because it requires effort to fail. Failure can't happen without some sort of action. And in so many cases, failure upon failure happens before success does.

If that's what "failing" looks like, sign me up.

image credit

They Buy Me Splenda.

Some people have life-long friends; friends they grew up alongside since childhood. Some people have friends they can call up at any time; friends they can talk to about anything; friends who know (and keep) your secrets.

I don't really have anyone who fits that first sentence - that's a story for another time. But I'd like to say that I very much cherish the few people I can count in that second category. 

Of my three closest girlfriends, one of them lives in Nebraska - but not in the same city as me. One of them I visited this past weekend in Kansas City, and the other lives in Connecticut. (You know, from when I thought it was a brilliant idea to move halfway across the country? She's the best outcome I could have asked for from that situation.) It's hard, because I'd love to have them all here; to have people I can just meet up with spontaneously - my imagination would have us all living fabulously like the Sex and the City girls, going out together and lunching on Sunday mornings. But, sadly, it's not quite like that - geography and real life keep us apart far more than we'd all like.

That bird hat would make a great
insulin pump hide-out. And they'd
totally get it.

When I do get to spend a few days with either of the non-Nebraskan girls, the little things they do for me are just... endearing. They get that I might need a snack, or that the time we're eating dinner that day will matter, or that I'll need to see food labels (when available). It's no big deal for me to check my blood sugar right in the middle of the waiter taking our order - they don't flinch. They ask how my numbers are doing; how I'm feeling. They keep juice on hand. And, bless their hearts, they keep a box of Splenda in the cabinet for me.

Having people that not only "get me" as a person, but who "get me" as a person with diabetes too - that's rare. And I love them for it.

Where Can I Go?

Living with diabetes isn't easy, by any stretch.  (That's an understatement, if I've ever heard one.  Er, typed one.  Read one?  Anyway.)  The weight we carry every day - the routine, the financial burden, the fear, the guilt, the worry, and for some, the shame - can sometimes feel like more than we are able to handle.  And for some, we don't realize how much we needed the help until we reach out for it.

I wanted to share a few resources for when those times come around.  There's a lot of value in simply having someone there who can listen, and maybe offer a bit of insight or advice, too.

If you have questions about anything diabetes, or just need to hear some encouragement, consider sending a question to JDRF's Online Diabetes Support Team.  (I've mentioned this resource before, but haven't ever really explained it...  my bad.)  This team provides a way for anyone affected by diabetes to get some one-on-one contact and support from someone who has "been there".  Anyone can submit a question through the online form on the JDRF website, and our goal is to have a response back to you within 48 hours.  I began volunteering with ODST earlier this year, and have gotten the chance to tackle some pretty tough subjects - depression, burnout, diabulimia, fear of hypoglycemia, etc.  There's no judgement or criticism - just someone who will do whatever they can to help you out.

There are many online diabetes communities that give you a chance to meet other people living with the same condition(s) and challenges as you.  My favorite community, which is specific to type 1, is Juvenation.  (Can you tell I'm a fan of JDRF?  I volunteer there, too, as a moderator.  I'm a smidge biased.  You'll find me here.)  You can create a profile, read blogs created by other Juvenation members, and post questions to forums used by thousands of others who deal with diabetes on a daily basis.  There's nothing like getting to talk to someone who has "been there”, and I've met some of the kindest people I know on sites like these.  Other great communities (for any kind of diabetes) include TuDiabetes, dLife, the ADA's Diabetic Connect, and Children With Diabetes.

If you're hip to Twitter, check out a weekly diabetes chat called Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (#dsma).  The chat takes place for an hour on Wednesday nights at 9 pm Eastern Time, and is run by Cherise Shockley.  DSMA discusses all things diabetes, and is attended by some of the most funny and smart people with diabetes out there.  Check it out by using TweetChat, or by searching the hashtag #dsma during that hour.  Feel free to participate, or just lurk.  :)

And lastly, visit some diabetes blogs.  You can find some of my favorites in my blogroll list to the right, or search sites like this one, this one, or this one to find more.  There's a whole community of us out there - come find us!

Talking About Type 1 Talk.

As much as I love my friends in the online community, it's tough to not want some face-to-face contact with other people who have type 1 diabetes.  Making a connection with someone in your local community helps deter the lonely, "going it alone" feeling that so many of us have.

The support group pickings around my area are pretty slim.  We have a JDRF-affiliated support group, but it is geared towards families.  (I went for the first time a few weeks back, and ended up spending my time assisting 17 small children with craft projects - I didn't quite fit the demographic, and I think they didn't quite know what to do with me.)  One of the local hospitals has a diabetes support group, but it is for type 2's.  I don't fit particularly well with either group, and I know others out there have this same dilemma.

Some of us have expressed our frustrations about this situation.  We know there are other T1s out there, but how do we find them?  Strike up a conversation with the other people in the waiting room at your next endo appointment?  Wait in the "diabetes care" aisle at Walmart until someone shows up? 

JDRF has caught wind of this need to connect T1s on a local level, and announced earlier this month a project called Type 1 Talk.

What is Type 1 Talk?  Here's what you need to know:

1. The idea is for local meet-ups to take place all over the US, all at the same time (3:00pm EST) on World Diabetes Day, which is Sunday, November 14th. 
2. In addition to meeting each other and discussing what matters to us locally, everyone is invited to watch the live JDRF webcast addressing five topics that we picked out and voted on.
3. All of the events are being coordinated through the Type 1 Talk Facebook application.  Go there to search for events, create your own, RSVP, and ask questions.
4. You can search for an event in your state, and if there isn't one registered yet, consider hosting one of your own!  (That's what I'm doing!)  It doesn't have to be fancy.  If you're going to watch the webcast, you'll need a computer, a web connection, and sound. 
5. You can make the event as big or small as you want, by setting a maximum number of attendees.  JDRF has made it pretty easy to get prepared for the event by uploading ready-made materials you can print off, like a sign-in sheet and Advocacy information.

I'm looking forward to the chance to meet some other T1s in my area, and I'm hoping to have more than just me show up.  :)

If you are interested, or know someone that might be, please pass this onto them.  JDRF isn't asking for donations - they're just asking us to get together.  To Talk about Type 1.