Is anyone actually sprinting to the finish line of 2017? Or are you all limping, crawling and seriously prepared to default and just sit down where you are now, probably about fifty meters from the end and admit defeat?

That’s where I am. I’m conclusively collapsed somewhere near the end: I can see it – but have decided that, quite frankly, the effort it’s going to take for me to cross the line, get a participation ribbon and high five the finish line referee is just not worth it. And I don’t think I have it in me anyway.

So, here I am. At the end of a super busy year. But then all years are busy, right?

But it’s been a good year. A really good year, when I stop to think about it. (Which is what I am doing as I set up shop here at the not-quite-finish-line.)

Lots of highlights, so here’s a bit of a recap:

Kicking off the year at the ATTD conference and being inundated with diabetes technologies and wondering how and when they would actually make their way into the hands of people living with diabetes.

Learning the importance of reframing our stories to capture the positive, not only the tough parts of them – or rather, understanding that the tough parts of what we have to deal with are often positive. Nick Bowditch at HealtheVoices explained that so beautifully.

Being pulled back into why we do what we do with a chance encounter in a café and, in the same week having a technology reality check at the #DAdvocatesDay.

It certainly wasn’t a highlight, although the way the diabetes community came together to try to address the frustration of a health organisation trying to control information at #2017ADA was pretty damn awesome.

And still at #2017, language! Yes, language was on the agenda and this would probably be one of the all-time highlights of the year.

The 4Ts campaign during National Diabetes Week made a lot of people in the Australian diabetes community happy as Diabetes Australia’s awareness campaign highlighted the importance and urgency of HCPs and the community understanding the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

Convening and being part of the DAPeoplesVoices at #ASDSADEA2017. Not only was I firmly amongst my tribe, but we provided a fantastic stream of information from the conference to people who couldn’t be there. Thanks to Mel, Frank and Ash for being part of it!

Celebrating 30 years of the NDSS and remembering why we are just so damn lucky here in Australia.

Being involved in the IDF2017 Congress – as Deputy Lead of the Living with Diabetes Stream of the LWD stream, chairing a number of sessions and presenting in the Peer Support Symposium. There could not have been a better way to end the year!

But undoubtedly, for me personally, the most important, impactful and significant thing to have happened to me in 2017 has been starting to Loop. Without a doubt, this technology has revolutionised every aspect of my diabetes, from the way I sleep, eat and live. I finish 2017 far less burdened by diabetes than I was at the beginning of the year. I measure time in range rather than A1c to understand why it is that I feel so much better.

I have claimed the label of deliberately non-compliant as my own, and I wear it proudly, strongly, and most, most appreciatively.

So, thank you to everyone who has dropped by here, commented or emailed me to share your story. I continue to write here because of the support and love I get from people (I know, selfish) and am so grateful to everyone who reads Diabetogenic.

I’m going to take a break and will be back sometime in January. Between now and then, I’ll be baking away all my stresses and exhaustion! Much love – and baked goods – to you all during the festive season.