46

Selfie in front of Haunted House - not my house ;) 

Hey, it's me - back from who the hell knows, but blogging just the same. 

I can't tell you how many times I've sat staring at my screen to write an actual post, but this time I really am back. I miss blogging, I miss being a full participant in the DOC, instead of a part-time participant/and a constant lurker. 

So I'm reframing and here I am.

Much has happened - some good stuff, some NOT So good - I'm saving the deets for other posts. 

Today's post is devoted to the number 46 - NO, NOT THAT 46, BITE YOUR TONGUE!

I'm talking 46 years living my life with t1D.

A. HOW THE HELL IS IT YEAR 46? 

B. HOW THE HELL IS MY DIABETES OLDER THAN I AM? EASY, I'M A WITCH ;) 

Celebrating year 46 is different this year - As of yesterday, I've been sidelined thanks to a torn medial band of my Planter Fascia - currently sporting a really ugly ortho shoe (but oh so much more comfortable than a boot,) shiny chrome crutches, and a cortisone shot that hurt like a bitch and requires a skyhigh temp basal rate. 

So yeah, this year's diaversary will be quiter - but a celebration none less. 

Here's my Diabetes Gratitude list for year 46 - Hope you dig~

1. The color yellow. Yellow is bright and shiny and makes me smile. Quite frankly, I could use more bright and shiny in my life - YAY YELLOW.

2. Rooibos tea - If you don't know what it is, check it out and give it a try. I suggest Pumpkin, Chai, and Vanilla flavored rooibos teas.

3. The ocean: We are 3/4's salt water for a reason. No wonder the ocean feels like coming home

4. Dogs. I love dogs! Dogs are the best and I will fight you on it!

5. Nailing a carb bolus for totally bolus worthy grub!

6. Cheese. I am cheese slut. I own it.

7. The color purple. Purple is regal and beautiful and comes in multitude of shades that make me feel good and bring out my eyes ;) 

8. Shells: Shells are beautiful; intricate, sculptures from the sea that turn into sand. Without shells there would be no beach. Think about that next time you see a shell. Never overlook the broken shells - they posed a beauty all their own - gifts from the sea that are no less valuable than their non chipped counterparts. Broken shells prove time and again that broken is indeed beautiful, be it our pancreati or a shell.

9. Red lipstick.

10. Soup: I'm a Souper... dare I say a Super Souper. For real, I make over 20 types of soup from scratch - and counting. Making soup is one of my Love Languages. If I make you soup from scratch, it means I care about you very much and love you lots.

11. Diabetes Tech: I love and appreciate my diabetes tech. With that being said. It's not perfect - nothing works as well as a fully functioning pancreas. There are too many who can't afford said tech - or have insurance that won't cover (or cover enough,) for said diabetes tech. That shit's gotta change.

12 PBS: If you don't watch PBS - maybe you think it's too stuffy, or that it doesn't have shows you'd be interested in - you'd be wrong. 

My current PBS obsession is season 2 of Annika. Membership for PBS Passport is $5 bucks a month and totally worth it! Also, your monthly fee is tax deductible.

13. Reading. LOVE to read - I just wish I had time to read the books I want to read, not the things I have to read. With that being said, I make time to read and sometimes reread. I've also discovered fan fiction - VERY INTERESTING.

14. A well made leather boot with a sexy heel - which I can't wear right now, BUT SOON.

15. Manatees. Manatees are amazing and incredibly underrated. Dophins get more screen time because of their antics, orcas make the news because they show off their smarts AND bitchiness - they toss seals around like a football before they go in for the kill. GOOGLE IT. Sharks, don't even get me started. Three words: JAWS and SHARK WEEK. Whales...whales are all sorts of majestical - they deserve the spotlight... for the most part. If you love manatees - you know how smart and loving and wise they are  -  much more so than they let on... at least at first glance. If you don't know about manatees, take the time to find out abou them.

16. My nieces & nephews. I LOVE THEM. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THEM. MY WORLD IS A MUCH BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF THEM.

17 The DOC. I love you, I am so incredibly grateful to have you in my life. You've changed my world.

18. Insulin: Without insulin I'd be dead. Actually, without insulin l wouldn't have existed because my father would have died before he had a chance to make me with my mom. With that being said, INSULIN IS STILL TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE. TOO MANY ARE GOING WITH OUT OR RATIONING TO MAKE THEIR STASH LAST LONGER. THAT SHIT'S GOTTA CHANGE.

19. The beach in the winter = MAGICAL.

20. Friends who are family - You know who you are - I love you. I am grateful for you.

21. My dishwasher.

22. Jewelry. Yep, I love jewelry. Real, fake, custom, vintage, or made from macaroni, like the necklace my nephew made me when he was in nursery school. I LOVE JEWELRY.

23. Daffodils: Daffodils are bright, beautiful, give me hope, make me happy, and remind me of my mom. Daffodils are resiliant. I try to embrace my inner daffodil whenever I can. And between you and me, I need to remember to embrace my inner daffodil more.

24. Dark chocolate.

25. Vanilla. FTR, vanilla is not boring - I love it more than chocolate. There I said it - I stand by more words.

26. Vodka: Potatoes and grains are the fruit of my people. Vodka is potatoes and or grain in liquid form.

27. Going to the movies. 

28. Broadway Musicals: I LOVE BROADWAY AND BROADWAY MUSICALS. I LOVE SHOWTUNES. And it sucks to be you if you don't.

29. Really good sex.

30. Frida Kahlo: Her art is addictive, her story is compelling, inspiring and it will break your heart.

31. Spicy food. Spicy food is my favorite. 

About half the dishes I make from scratch are spicy - it’s part of who I a. If anyone wants to buy me a Diaversary gift - I'm running out of Siriracha thanks to the 2023 Sriracha Shortage, more on said shortage can be found, HERE.

32. Spending time with friends and family. We all need more time with those we love and who love us.

33. Sleeping late. FTR, I was off today and wanted to sleep until 8AM. I was up at 5:30. W.T.F.

34. Hoka Bondi's. Like walking on clouds. The Bondis are especially good if you happen to have high arches and a wide toe box. They also fit most custom orthotics. I'm going to need multiple pairs once I'm done with the crutches. CC: HOKA.com.

35. Fresh mint in my water - or my mojito/vodka. Little things mean a lot. Fresh mint is refreshing and delish. I suggest you grow some in a pot. DO NOT plant mint in the ground - it will takeover your entire garden and strangle any and all plants and shrubs.

36. Black Violin - also Black Violin.

37. Post Modern Jukebox.

38. I love long walks.... which I currently cannot participate in - BUT SOON!

39. Halloween: I love dressing up and being someone/something else for the night. I'm a theater geek so it totally makes sense.

40. The colors green and blue and in all shades. The colors of earth and water. Also, both color spectrums bring out my eyes and since this is all about me.....

41. #Proudauntiealert in all dimensions: In no particular order, just a sprinkling of many, many, moments #proudauntiealerts can be found HERE, HERE & HERE. 

42. Bolus worthy pizza. If you know, you know.

43. Childrenwithdiabetes.org

44. Peanut Butter. I wish I hated peanut butter, but I don't. That will never happen.

45. Massages. God I love a good massage - and I've been told by HCPs that I need them. If only insurance covered them. SIGH.

46. YOU. I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU.

I'm grateful that you're here on this planet and reading my blog. Take my word that the world is much better place with you in it. YOU ARE EXCEPTIONAL. 

Diaversary

Me embracing my inner Moira Rose on my Diaversary. Video to follow.

 It’s been quite a while since I’ve written on my blog - between COVID; lockdown, work, delaying my big COVID meltdown until end of June/beginning of July and followed two weeks late by a Lis Franc sprain at the end of July, working, and hustling for work, pen to paper and writing about myself for my own blog was damn impossible. 

 I kept promising myself I was going to write a blog post tomorrow - but then when tomorrow arrived I’d push it off again. 

But I’m writing one today!

43 years ago today I was diagnosed with diabetes and spent my Halloween in the hospital instead of trick or treating and have spent the past 43 years living and sharing good, the bad, and the diabetesalicious of it all. 

Every year I write a Diaversersary post listing things I love/ I’m thankful for and in no particular order. - with the total corresponding to the number of years I've had diabetes. 

2020, I won’t let you take that away. 

So here’s my 2020 list of 43 things that I'm grateful for and hope you can relate!

1. My people. My friends, family,including YOU. You all make my world a better place!
2. Speaking of friends - Lucy the Elephant.
3. Smart Insulin - you’ve made my life easier and my body healthier. With that being said, let's get your prices lower - people are dying because they can't afford it!
4. My garden. It made my summer, which was spent social distancing and nursing a bum ankle much easier to bear. It also made my salads much tastier. 
5. Dove Ice Cream Mini Bars, variety pack. Seriously life-changing.
6. Sex
7. Speaking of life-changing, I’m thankful for Time in Range - it’s a diabetes game changer!
8. My honest and caring mechanic  - Thanks for being honest and giving me a great price when my car was having issues  - Very much appreciated!
9. The beach. Even though I didn’t spend a lot of time on this year (because people were being idiots re: social distancing,) I’m so grateful to have grown up at the beach and to have access to it as an adult.
10. The Ocean. See number 8.
11. Being able to attend MOMA’s Dorothea Lange' Words & Pictures Exhibit this past September.
12. Dorothea Lange’s photography
13. Being an Aunt because it's a fucking gift from the heavens. I love my nieces and nephew so much! 12 unique and individual works of art.
14. Democracy. 
15. Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg - May her memory be a revolution.
16. Music. Silly to say, but music makes my heart sing.
17. Waking up and realizing that I have an hour before my alarm goes off.
18. Becoming a better baker. Thanks to my friend Pam (who bought me a beautiful and solid bundt pan last Christmas because she thought it would help me chill I made my first bundt cake from scratch a few months later. During lockdown I perfect banana and banana blueberry muffins, this week I’m attempting pumpkin :) 
19. NetFlix  - you know why.
20. Hoka ONES. Seriously comfy sneakers.
21. Schitt’s Creek: Best. Show. Ever. 
22. Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life From Dear Sugar - book by Cheryl Strayed . READ IT.
23. My camera. I bought a Canon 35 mm camera a few years ago with 300 and 80 degree lenses. LOVE IT.
24. Insulin pumps - making my life easier since 2002.
25. Dark chocolate caramels with sea salt. AMAZING.
26. My Mac laptop I bought 16 months ago.
27. CGM. It makes life easier - except when it doesn’t. 
28. Dogs. DOGS RULE
29. Homemade Soup. I have mad soup skillz.
30. The color green. It makes me feel healthy, beautiful, balanced  - and it makes my eyes pop!
31. Paper plates - Lockdown means dishes are never done. Paper plates make my life easier. The environmentalist in me struggles with this, the chief dishwasher (ME,) is thankful and works especially hard to be environmentally conscious in other areas of my life.
32. Both Sweetzels and Ivins Spiced Wafers
33. Cheese. I’m a cheese lover and self-proclaimed cheese slut. 
34. PBS 
35. Lipstick. I wear it every day and under my mask!
36. Ray Collins Photography 
37. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
38. Goldenberg Peanut Chews - Original Dark Chocolate
39. Prosecco 
40. Nature
41. Jewel color tones. I’m just not into tan -with that being said, I appreciate a warm and smartly tailored camel hair coat.
42. Jewelry. I love jewelry - whether it’s a macaroni necklace a little made me, costume, or the “real stuff - I LOVE SPARKLE.
43. The Diabetes Online Community. You’ve changed my life and life with diabetes for the better and I love you all so much!

Coronavirus: Hey DOC - How You Doing?

Hey DOC  - 

Sorry for the radio silence on the bloggo. 
Like all of you,  I’ve had a lot on my plate and much to take in with what’s going on re: the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Prepping re: supplies - as in food and filling RXs, trying to rearrange work gigs, working from home is not business as usual because life isn't business as usual.  
Focus is hard to come by as of late - FOR EVERYONE.  

I live by myself - it's been hard dealing with what's been going on alone.  
I know I’m not the only one who is struggling with feelings of isolation and loneliness.

I’m worrying. A lot. 

I worry about me, my family, my friends who are family - including my you dearest DOC. 

Worries galore and in all dimensions: Work, income, diabetes, my country-everyone else around the globe dealing with this pandemic. 

Sleep has been crappy, lack of human interactions from less than 6 to 10 feet a part has been rough - but I’m doing it - And I’m staying home as much as I can! 

Every day the news overwhelms us all more than the previous day. 

Seriously guys, this episode of Black Mirror sucks!

And yes, I’m angry and grieving because it didn't have to get to this point.

But it did. We are here.

Not that I've stated all of the above to you  - I feel better!
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE. 

Now we need to fight - some of us from our homes/home offices, others from the front lines. 

And every single one of us needs to vote in November - make sure you are registered and continue to triple check your status. 

And WE MUST stay connected and practice self-care. 

Our diabetes online community has always been leading the pack when it comes to connecting in the digital world! It’s almost like we invented it - we didn’t, but you know what I mean! 

Keep connecting! 

Tweet, write, Skype, Zoom, text, phone a friend and use all your digital lifelines on a daily basis. Pick up the phone when a loved one rings - you both will feel better!

Connecting allows us to… well, CONNECT. 
Sharing prevents us from holding it all inside. 
Being able to say things out loud to our selves and others lets us know we are being heard and that makes it easier to focus, feel much-needed normalcy 

I’ve started dividing tasks into increments of time (THANKS Team egg timer and iPhone timer,) and rewarding myself when tasks get moved to the “Completed,” pile.

I'm willing to hunker down for as long as possible and as long as I am able to work from home to stop the spread 

And I am so incredibly grateful to the healthcare workers, cashiers, restaurant workers providing takeout for the masses, grocery store and pharmacy workers, cashiers, postal employees, police, fire, and EMTs - every single person running towards the flames because it's their job. I pray for their safety every night. 

I pray for all of us to stay safe. 

When this all over, I'm hugging every single loved one, friend, and coworker tightly - I’m going to drag my friends out in the sun for drinks and good food. 

And I can't wait. 

Until then, stay safe, stay in touch and let’s stay connected! 
#WeAreInThisTogether

Xo, Kelly

Dear DOC: Love & Happy Whatever ~

"The wings", 1958 / Salvador Dali; 1904-1989- Internet

Dear DOC - 

Whatever the holiday season means to you, no matter what you celebrate and or don’t,  

I want you to know that each and every one of you means the world to me - I appreciate and I am incredibly grateful to you have in my world and on my side. 

You are my gifts - the kind that keeps on giving. 

You inspire; make me smile, teach me lessons every damn day, make me laugh from my belly, and lift me up whenever I stumble and fall. 

You make me a better person - diabetes or not.

Please remember that you count, that you make a difference  - that you have made a difference in my life - and others. 

You are more than the sum of your numbers - more than your last a1c.

You are more than you realize and you matter to many. 

Celebrate yourself and all your victories - large and small.  

Each and every one of you - across the board and no matter the diabetes type, are truly magnificent.

Simply put: YOU ROCK and rock my world in the best of ways.

Love and happy whatever, 

K2  

#SafetyIsThePoint: How to Safely Dispose of Used Sharps (Safe Needle Disposal)

It’s a fact, if you or someone you love lives with diabetes, you use a never ending amount of sharps. 

Sharps include: Needles, lancets, auto injectors for cgms, and tubing/infusion sets, connection needle sets on a daily basis. 

Over 9 million people with diabetes and other chronic conditions dispose of 3 billion sharps a year!  

A. That’s a hell of a lot of sharps

B. How the heck do we dispose of them safely and properly? 

 First: All used sharps must be placed in an FDA cleared sharps disposal container found via pharmacies, medical supply companies, or online. 

Luckily, most of us already have everything we need at home to dispose of sharps safely and in the form of a strong plastic container - either and empty laundry detergent or bleach bottle.

My Current Sharps Container & not filled up yet!

Bottles must be leak-resistant, remain upright, and have a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid. 

When the container is about 3/4 full, seal the lid closed and label the bottle, then follow guidelines for proper disposal at SafeNeedleDisposal.org. 

FTR: Some cities allow in-home trash disposal others require used sharps to be taken to drop-off locations. 

Sidebar: After I entered my zip on safeneedledisposal.com in the field to find local safe disposal options, I was shocked to discover that I had 3 needle disposal locations within a 12 mile radius - and the closest was 1 mile away! I HAD NO IDEA. 

No matter what, sharps should NEVER be put in the recyclables, thrown in the trash or down the toilet! 

If your state allows for home disposal, seal and label your strong container, seal the lid and discard with trash. DO NOT RECYCLE. 

Click HERE to find a list of companies offering mail back and container programs.

Checkout other disposal options, HERE. 

The video below is 60 seconds long and shows you how to safely dispose of used sharps.

Because #safetyisthepoint

This post is sponsored by SafeNeedleDisposal.Org, run by NeedyMeds, a 501(c)(3) national non profit. Read more about them by clicking on the following link: https://safeneedledisposal.org/about-2/about/

As always: These thoughts are mine and if I didn’t think sharps disposal was important in our lives with diabetes and our planet - I wouldn’t post about it! 

41

41 years ago today I was diagnosed with t1 diabetes. I remember certain things about my diagnoses and my admission memories - like social workers questioning me about a scar on my butt, a nurse dressed as a clown telling me I did indeed have diabetes, and being sad about missing Halloween. 

I’ve written about what I remember about my DX , my very first friend I met at the hospital with diabetes named Joe, my life pre and post DX. 

Every year since Diabetesaliciousness began, I’ve written a list of things that I love and am grateful for on my Diaversary - because it's a good reminder for me that I’m still here, I’m still alive, and there’s so much in life to love and be thankful for. 

Here's my list for 2018.

#########

1. I still love Halloween and I still love to dress up - It’s MAGIC

2. Little kids. Little make me smile and the majority of today’s teenagers give me hope for the future.

3. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - I love them - I always will.

4. Dancing  - I love to dance. I haven't danced as much as of late - I need to rectify that, ASAP.

5. Really good sex.

6. The beach in the winter when all the crowds are gone.

7. Swimming in the ocean - I feel free and at home and I love it.

8. The color yellow - it makes me feel all bright and shiny.

9. Cupcakes - they  are the perfect size treats and depending on the circumference and icing thickness - I can usually guess the carb count no problem! IT’S A GIFT.

10. Traveling - I love traveling - it exposes me to different places and people and it shows me just how similar people are while appreciating the different cultures.  Diabetes hasn’t diminished my love or my ability to travel. 

11. D Meet-ups. If I didn’t have diabetes I would have a lot less friends - and meeting up with diabetes peeps in real life is pretty damn special! 

12. Old movies. I'll focus on one, this time around. The Ghost And Mrs. Muir - I love this movie - it makes me cry every time I watch it. 

13. Making soup. OK, I make like at least 18 different types of soups from scratch - It's kinda my thing - and I try to add a new soup every year.  Some people are bakers. I am a "souper." 

14. Making soup for friends - it makes me feel like I’m helping and taking care of the people I love. 

15. Dogs. I love dogs. I don’t get people who don’t like dogs. I was bit by 2 different dogs growing up and I still love dogs. 

16. Twinkle lights.

17. Purple. Who doesn’t love purple? Purple is magnificent. Also: I look magnificent in purple! 

18. Prosecco - GOD I LOVE Presecco!

19. Wild ass guessing on a bolus for a food I have no idea the carb count on and having a BINGO bg a few hours later. 

20. Movie previews. I love them - have to be there for them - so don’t make me late!

21. Movies. I love going to the movies - but I have a really tough time watching a scary, gory movie. I love comedies, love stories, thrillers, "children's movies and historical dramas. 

But I can’t deal with gore. 

22. Oatmeal cookies. They are the most under appreciated cookies on the planet. Go eat one now and you'll see I'm right!

23. Cookies in general - except I’m not a huge fan of the ones with really sticky jelly in them. 

24. A really good cheeseburger - with cheddar, jalapenos, and raw onions.

25. Speaking of jalapenos  - I LOVE SPICY FOOD.

26. Live theater - it’s pretty damn special - we need to support theater, local, regional and broadway! 

27. Outdoor showers. It’s a beach thing. It’s amazing to take a warm shower outside and under the stars - I highly suggest it.

28. The perfect shade of lipstick. Lipstick makes me happy. You will rarely see me without it’s my talisman. 

29. Meeting new friends. I love making new friends. As we get older - our friendship circle becomes smaller - I’m doing my best to buck that trend because it’s stupid.

30. The colors green and blue. I love green. It make me feel healthy and my eyes POP when I wear green. Blue reminds me of people with diabetes, the ocean, and cornflowers. Blue makes me heart happy.

31. Gifts from the sea. As in shells, sea glass and rocks smoothed over by the sand - That Poseidon knows what he’s doing! 

32. The Ocean. I am drawn to it and I am part of it. The ocean calms me and sometimes it frightens me. 

33. Photography. I love to take pictures - it allows me to see things form different angles and POV. It’s one of the ways I try and express myself artistically. 

34. Naps. Naps are awesome. 

35. Cheese. I am a cheese slut. 

36. Writing in Sketch books. I take a lot of notes - writing in sketchbooks allows me to express my thoughts outside of the lines.

37. Libraries. A building filled with books; periodicals, art, computers and neighbors - a fellowship of bibliophiles that brings communities together.

38. Music. Music is part of my heart. There’s not a genre I don’t like when it comes to music. 

39. Daffodils. Daffodils are resilient, they give me hope and they remind me of my mom. 

40. Children with Diabetes FFL Conference(s). Green and Orange bracelet magic. 

41. My nieces and nephews - Individual pieces of art that have made my life better since I first became an Auntie - at the age of almost 6.

Diabetesaliciousness Turns 10

Time freaking flies~

######

10

10 years ago today, I published my first blog post. 

I had no clue what I was doing - clearly that's obvious from my blog's name. 

I knew that I had something to say, I wasn't quite sure how or where to say it. 

Blogger looked easy enough - like a glorified word file - so I went with it.

I didn’t know that the DOC (the Diabetes Online Community,) was an actual “thing” and 

I had no freaking idea how much I needed my community - until I found it.

And thank God, Jesus, Buddha, The Goddess,The Spirit In The Sky, Kali,

(whatever and whomever the heck you believe in) that I did! 

These past 10 years the DOC has given me love; laughter, support, knowledge and a fantastical D Tribe that has been there through all my HIGHS and the LOWS.... and not just re: my life with diabetes. 

Over the past decade, you guys have been there for all the highs and lows of my life! 

Cheering me on.... and picking me up whenever I fell. 

THANK YOU. 

Blogging about and advocating for diabetes has changed my life; reinforced that I am not alone, altered my career path, and taught me that my greatest perceived weakness ( my busted pancreas,) is actuality my greatest strength and biggest passion. 

I learn and continue to learn from every person with diabetes - or who has a loved one with diabetes. 

 I’ve made friends around the globe - some I’ve been lucky enough to meet in real life!

AND I AM ONE LUCKY DUCK.

My community taught me to speak up and speak out - that my voice mattered - that all of our voices matter. 

The DOC taught me that people with diabetes - and no matter the type, are in this together. 

There is no "separate but equal," when it comes to diabetes types - or anything else. 

And the Diabetes Online Community has proven to me time and again, that alone we trudge up hills, together we move mountains.

Guys, thanks from the bottom of my busted pancreas for always being here for me!
 Now, back to moving mountains! 

Thanks DOC, The 2nd #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes Day Was A SuccessBecause of YOU.

The 2nd annual #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes Day on Twitter, Facebook and the blogosphere was a success and I’m so grateful and happy. 
Honestly, I was worried because I’d been traveling for the majority of April ( 3 conferences that I still need to finish posts for,) right up until last Sunday night and I was worried that I might not have gotten the word out in time. 

But once again, the Diabetes Online Community came through and hit the hashtag out of the park and across all social media platforms!

THANK-YOU

By 1:23 am on the morning of Wednesday, April 20th, the hashtag had already generated 
2,987,152 twitter impressions thanks to Australia, NewZealand, Japan and Kenya.

By 10:57 pm the night of the 20th, the hashtag’s twitter impressions had reached 14,117,989.

And according to Trendinalia, we were the 24th most popular hashtag on twitter. 
Personally, I  believe we would have cracked the top twenty if it hadn’t been for so many hashtags devoted to the 420 genre. 

As of this morning, there are 16,238,322 #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes twitter impressions in one week.  And since April 17th, 2015, the hashtag has generated 
40,791, 919 twitter impressions - ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. 

1..  Special thanks to every member of the diabetes online community and from the bottom of my busted pancreas because YOU made the second annual  #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes Day and #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes.Org happen

2. Individual shout-outs to Renza , Grainne, and Cherise, for keeping me sane and Mike Lawson for keeping me sane & creating the logos, and my brother-in-law C, for dealing handling the website hustle and flow~ 

Special thanks to the following Diabetes Orgs:

JDRF; TypeOneNation, The American Diabetes Association, the Canadian Diabetes Association,  Diabetes Australia, Diabetes Tasmania, Diabetes UK, Thriveabetes Ireland, Diabetescaf, Diabetes Sisters, Diabetes Hands Foundation, The Plaid Journal, childrenwithdiabetes, Diabetes - Connections, ProjectBlueNovember, DiabetesPac Diabetes_Kenya, #OzDOC, OZDiabetesOC,, YLDIntDiabFed, DiabetesNSW, Alegrija Mecadonia, 
Medtronic, Roche, Diabetes Innovations. 
If I missed your diabetes Org or company, please correct me by leaving a comment and I will add yours to the list, ASAP.
I'm still going through the just under 5000 tweets and many facebook posts.  

I tried to keep a list, but I will admit that I didn’t do a great job of it.

HUGE shout-outs to the countries who participated in #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes, and who are continuing to do so. Including, but not limited to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Kenya, Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, Porto Rico,  England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Mecedonia, Sweden and Holland. 
If I missed your country - PLEASE leave a comment letting me know what country you’re from and I will add. 

And lastly, but certainly not least, I will be linking 2016 #IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes Blog posts here and IwishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes.Org .
Sidebar: IwishPeopleKnewthatDiabetes.org is looking for submissions - so go for it!

I’m still reading all the posts so if you wrote one, leave a comment with the link and I'll read yours and add it to the mix!

https://diabetogenic.wordpress.com/2016/04/22/iwishpeopleknewthatdiabetes/

https://indpendence.com/2016/04/25/purpose/

https://www.below-seven.com/2016/04/25/iwishpeopleknewthatdiabetes/

https://happy-medium.net/2016/04/20/its-back-iwishpeopleknewthatdiabetes/

https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/what-we-wish-people-knew-about-diabetes-270237/

http://www.livetolovediabetes.com/iwishpeopleknewthat-diabetes-day/

http://twicediabetes.com/i-wish-people-knew-about-diabetes/

http://travelbetic.com/2016/04/21/iwishpeopleknewthatdiabetes-has-an-online-community-that-changed-my-life/?platform=hootsuite