The Power of Connection

I never cease to be amazed every time at how wonderful it feels to meet other people and families who share this journey with diabetes. I was recently at the first "Children with Diabetes" conference held in Canada that brought together ~200 families and I can positively say that for me, it was one of 2007's greatest highlights so far.

Everybody there had the same "lingo" around carb counting and boluses and those things that we share in common that other people just don't "get" at the life level as we do.

There was a fantastic system that identified all the children with Type I by having us wear green bracelets, and the siblings and family members wore orange bracelets. For the first time in 19 years with diabetes, I got to be one of the "cool kids" because I had a green bracelet too!

The bonding among everyone there was instant, and particularly heartwarming were the conversations among parents, sharing tips and offering support when overwhelm set in. The parents got to sit in on educational sessions on everything from managing sports & diabetes, the emotional challenges of diabetes, to diabetes in school, to the intricacies of choosing an infusion set. There was a lot to take in.

The kids were divided up into groups based on age and were in capable hands the whole time with diabetes-savvy group leaders who led the activities. The meals were all carefully and painstakingly prepared with labels of carb counts for each item. I remember thinking to myself, "Have I died and gone to heaven?" It was a diabetes love-fest!

Lifelong friendships were formed over the course of a weekend - and for many of the children, it was the first time they didn't feel so alone with diabetes.

It all just goes to show how much it lightens the burden for each of us when we reach out and participate in the diabetes community, and connect with others. Whether it be as part of a support group, an online forum, volunteering at a fundraiser or attending a diabetes conference somewhere, the opportunity is there to make friends and make a difference.

We are all in this together, after all.

Cheers and All My Love,