Diabetesaliciousness Turns 5 & It's Dblog Day 2012 !!!

Today I celebrate 2 things: My 5th Blogoversary & it also happens to be DBlog Day - How funky cool is that! 

So I'm combing the two and writing a Thank-you letter to the Diabetes On-Line Community because they ROCK!  And as part of the #dblogday them,  I'd like both Health Care Professionals and the media to read my letter (Dblog Day Theme) so they can better understand why the DOC(Diabetes On-Line Community) not only changes lives - but saves them - And that we're not going anywhere!

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Dearest DOC: 

Today Diabetesaliciousness turns 5!

Cupcake pics courtesy of the AMAZ-ING Cupcake Garden - I want to go to there!"

And that fact just totally blows my mind - And for many reasons.

When I started the blog I had no idea what I was doing (and I still don't a lot of the time,)  and I had absolutely no idea that there was such a thing as on-line community of amazing people called the DOC.

I didn't realize that by sharing my thoughts and feelings I'd have the opportunity to meet and learn from all of you on a daily basis.

Honestly, I was just mad at Halle Barry and this online journaling thing seemed like such an easy way to get my feelings out.

And then after a few weeks of blogging I started hearing from and discovering others like me - And together we learned from one another - And we still are. 

Finding people from all walks life and from all corners of the planet who were/are going through what I  was (and still am,) was and continues to be life changing force of epic proportions.

I found a diabetes family on line - And for that I am forever in your debt.

Through diabetes blogging I have found my voice; my people/community, my passion, my strength and my purpose.

Each of you has been my teacher, my proctor, my child and my mentor. 

Regardless of your diabetes type, all of your perspectives have influenced my thought process & have changed the way I look at things in my life, both diabetes and otherwise.

By discovering other type1 blogs,  I learned that I'm not the only type 1 out there feeling those feelings or thinking those thoughts.

And by reading Dparent blogs, I found new respect for all that my parents went through and never shared - And only wish that they were still here so that could have friends who understood everything that went through by having three children with type 1 diabetes - and losing 1 daughter to type 1 diabetes.

When I discovered and started read Type 2 blogs, I learned that diabetes wasn't your fault and that we have so much in common. 

And By reading type 1.5/ LADA, I learned that you actually existed and that your diabetes journey wasn't always an easy one.

Each of you has made laugh and each of you has lifted me up when I needed it most. 

Not only have you been there for my on-line life with diabetes, you've been there for my off line life.

You've made me smile and you've held me tight ... And there have been times when you've actually held me up when I didn't think I could hold myself up - And I am so grateful and lucky to have found each of you - And I LOVE YOU GUYS.

So my lovely D Cupcake Squad  - Thanks for 5 years of fantastical journey - And may it continue!

And to the media and HealthCare Professionals who I hope are reading this post take away at least 6, if not all of the following facts: 

1. Patient On-Line Communities are here to stay 

2. On-line Patient Advocates matter. 

3. Together the people in the Diabetes On-Community move mountains and change lives 4. People with diabetes exist - And we come in all shapes, sizes & types 

5. Our voices are strong

6. Our influence is staggering.... 

7. And we have only just begun. 

We are not going anywhere and our numbers are growing every day,  so ask questions, and talk with us, not to us or about us. 

Engage and continue the conversation.  

Xoxoxo

k2

Kelly Kunik