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I generally consider myself to be fairly mature for my age. I've attributed my maturity to the experiences I've been through, mostly from dealing with a chronic illness from such a young age. It definitely puts a different spin on your whole life. You consider life as temporary, something to be cherished. You know you don't have all the time in the world.

Despite the maturity, I've still got growing up to do. There are things that diabetes and all my other experiences haven't taught me. I still have the passion and will of my youth to contend against on a regular basis. I'm holding on to pieces of that youth for good reason, seeing where maturity can change life for the worse in some ways.

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George mentioned in a recent post that he no longer supports the American Diabetes Association (ADA) -- just the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) -- because as a Type 1, he feels the ADA does not have his best interests in mind. I'm not sure whether or not I agree with George's assessment, but the ADA has programs aimed at the improvement of life and quality of life for all people with diabetes (regardless of type), while the JDRF is focused exclusively on people with Type 1/autoimmune diabetes. In that light, charity dollars going to an organization such as the JDRF may have a more concentrated effect on George's life with diabetes.

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What did I do before the internet?

I used to buy the newspaper to find out what movies were showing at the theater. I would call all my friends at least once a week to see what was going on. I would have to watch the news to see what the weather was going to be like the next day. I would read the TV guide to see what TV shows were going to be on.

So much has changed.

Before the internet I had no relationships with any people with diabetes. I knew a few type 2’s but never felt like they understood what I was going through and they were always much older then I was so I felt awkward.

So now that I use the internet all day long, I have no clue how I lived without it.

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nkzs

Three years ago today I started blogging.
 

It all started with a post about wanting to lose weight and how I wanted to write about my journey. Soon after that first post I started getting comments from a few people who had diabetes and who wanted to cheer me on.

I wrote more. I read more. I found a large network of people with and affected by diabetes and it made me feel so much less alone than I ever did. 
 

In that time I have met 3 of my fellow bloggers, talked on the phone with some, and I am even making plans to have one come over to our home and stay with us for a visit!
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mzacha

Part of the holiday spirit is helping one another. I believe the online community of those affected by diabetes is amazing. Never have I felt so alone. Never have I felt so apart of something. Never have I had access to so many who are ready to support me.

Times when I am down and feeling bad there is always someone to encourage me. When I lost some weight I had many cheers sent my way and when I gained that weight back I received many, “You can do! Don’t give up” messages that not only helped motivate but made me feel cared for. (READ MORE)

People with diabetes, and those touched by diabetes, follow their journey with the disease through a myriad of winding emotional paths. Depression is very common for those newly diagnosed, sadness can rear its head at different stages in the game, and a little humor and humility can even find the door to expose itself from time to time. The keys for controlling those doors are littered all over the place and on  Wrld Diabetes Day today, you can follow this map of internet hotspots. Expose diabetes for all that it is, good and bad, and then share it with others. Find an emotion and embrace it!

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