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It’s day 1 of Diabetes Blog Week which means that this is a week where I will be getting little, if any sleep, as I trawl my way through hundreds of diabetes blogs from bloggers all over the world. Big thanks, as always, to the lovely Karen Graffeo (who I love today, but by the end of the week, in my sleep-deprived state, will be cursing for this initiative!) for coordinating the week and giving diabetes bloggers a chance to share their ideas and thoughts on such terrific topics.

Today’s prompt: Lets kick off the week by talking about why we are here, in the diabetes blog space. What is the most important diabetes awareness message to you? Why is that message important for you, and what are you trying to accomplish by sharing it on your blog?

I have now been writing a blog for over five years now. This is my 602nd post (apparently). That’s a lot of waffle about diabetes!

What’s important about diabetes awareness is not only different for each of us, but it also changes throughout time. I have had particular areas of interest at particular times, but there are certainly some issues and messages that have remained pretty consistent.

So here are a list (and links) of some of the most common messages that appear on Diabetogenic.

Use your words. Wisely. Language and diabetes is important. (And I am so excited that this is a topic for Diabetes Blog Week this year!) I have written A LOT about diabetes and language and most of those posts can be found here. 

#Access4All. And that does mean for all.

Coffee and Nutella are food groups.

My DOC friends – the ones who keep me company at 3am while low, make me laugh at any time with a random tweet or message, or reach out when concerned – are the only reason that I am mostly balanced about diabetes. Without them – and their support – I don’t know where I would be. And the same goes for the IRL friends.

Put us in the room. People with diabetes have a place at all levels, at all diabetes conferences and at discussions with all stakeholders. Our seat is at the head of the table. Make sure we get the invitation!

Diabetes experitse is shared – but different. Except when it comes to MY diabetes. Then the expertise lies squarely with me.

Diabetes is not only about numbers. It is mostly about what is going on in my head.

These are the issues that are most important to me. It was once suggested by my boss that the only time I get off my high horse is to climb on my soap box – an accusation that was made in good faith and one that I wear fondly. We all have axes to grind, issues about which we are passionate. And we need that in this as we navigate the world of diabetes.

High horse to soapbox…