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With restrictions starting to ease – albeit, and thankfully, slowly – how is everyone feeling? I know that I’m not all that sure I’m ready…
Look, I know there are times that engaging with people online who are sprouting a load of bullshit is a bad, bad idea, and really, I should just walk on by. But here’s why I don’t always do that…
I got on a plane in Melbourne on Wednesday at 9am, travelled for 20 hours , touching down in San Diego on the very same Wednesday at 10am. This sorcery explains the jet lagged mess below.
For the next few days, you can mostly find me at #2017ADA where I’ll be sharing the latest from the 77th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions.
It’s day three of the eighth annual #DBlogWeek, created by Karen from Bittersweet Diabetes. This is the sixth year I’ve taken part and it’s a great opportunity to not only write about some truly interesting topics, but also a chance to read some blogs you may not otherwise. Here are the links to today’s posts.
Today’s prompt: Having diabetes often makes a visit to the doctor a dreaded experience, as there is invariably bad news of one kind or another. And sometimes the way the doctor talks to you can leave you feeling like you’re at fault. Or maybe you have a fantastic healthcare team, but have experienced blame and judgement from someone else in your life – friend, loved one, complete stranger. Think about a particularly bad instance, how that person talked to you, the words they used and the conversation you had. Now, the game part. Let’s turn this around. If you could turn that person into a puppet, what would you have them say that would leave you feeling empowered and good about yourself? Let’s help teach people how to support us, rather than blame us!
I’ve written before about difficult encounters with HCPs. There was this time and this time. And this time where it wasn’t even me who the HCPs were speaking poorly about!
So, instead of doing that today, I’m going to talk (as in actually speak) about the the overall issue of blame and diabetes, and what can be said to address the blame game. (Apologies for the speed talking and hand waving.)
Trying to make sense of the weird link between visiting old family homes, coffee, and searching for security and safety in diabetes. Sometimes, my thought process is ridiculous!
So this happened….
It’s day 3 of Diabetes Blog Week, with thanks to Karen from Bittersweet Diabetes. And it’s hump day, so the week is half over. I am on my way to Sydney for meetings all day, but will be making sure that any transit downtime is spent finishing reading yesterday’s posts. And today’s too.
Today’s prompt: There is an old saying that states “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. I’m willing to bet we’ve all disagreed with this at some point, and especially when it comes to diabetes. Many advocate for the importance of using non-stigmatizing, inclusive and non-judgmental language when speaking about or to people with diabetes. For some, they don’t care, others care passionately. Where do you stand when it comes to “person with diabetes” versus “diabetic”, or “checking” blood sugar versus “testing”, or any of the tons of other examples? Let’s explore the power of words, but please remember to keep things respectful.
I have written about language many, many times here. So today I thought I’d vlog. Happy viewing.
And here it is again: the Diabetes Australia Language Position Statement.
‘Storytelling is the essential human activity. The harder the situation, the more essential it is.’
Tim O’Brien
Diabetogenic 