I'll admit I've never seen Buckaroo Banzai; however, the catch phrase "Wherever you go, there you are" has become as much a part of our popular culture as "Beam me up, Scotty" or "Time to make the donuts!" Yet, with about one in eleven US residents having -- or being at risk for developing -- diabetes, it's no wonder that almost every time we turn around, we meet (or learn about) somebody else "with the D".
One of the important things I've learned by being active in several diabetes social networks is not just how different type 1 and type 2 diabetes are from each other, but how many different-but-uncatalogued sub-types exist -- not just the different presentations of LADA and of early-onset "type 2", but also the subtypes of type 1 that include specific other autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease. By listening to the conversations, we learn not just "how different each of these animals is" from the others, but some of the trials and tribulations that are a part of their daily management. We also learn that by "coming out of the insulin closet" (or "Wilford's closet", if you prefer -- one has to wonder what Mr. Brimley thinks of his name being thus appropriated!) in the "gated community" that is dLife -- or TuDiabetes, or any of the other hundred-plus online communities supporting people with diabetes -- we are often more willing to "come out" to others outside those gates to support them, mentor them, "be there" for them, and guide them to the havens behind the passworded doors.
The other night I learned that my new neighbor's brother was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult, about a year or two ago, and he offered his perspectives on how well his brother is doing since diagnosis. Some of his concerns may be explained by economic issues, but others sound like the standard options on our "check one from Group A and two from Group B" menu of social and psychological effects of diabetes. Of course, it's hard to say for sure when the only voice I'm hearing is that of the concerned younger brother. And of course one cannot really say when one is not a licensed medical professional and is not directly examining or interviewing the individual in question.
What I can say for sure is that we have a number of communities of people with diabetes who are willing to accept others of our ilk with open arms, open hearts, and open dialog. Each of these communities has a different focus and a different personality. In some ways, matching up a person with diabetes with the best communities and online presences for him is like trying to run a dating service. Some of us find the right match immediately; some of us "play the field" before settling down to one or two active communities; others of us "like to keep all our options open". I list the communities in which I'm most active on a business card, along with my usernames, to hand out to these individuals and suggest that they sign up and look me up, or more simply, "Start Here". I can say, "I'm here" or "I'll be there -- I may not know enough about Type 1 to be immediately helpful, but I have a lot of friends online who do, and who are willing to help".
It is all of us, being here for each other, being willing to share our knowledge and our experiences, to help each other and to welcome newcomers (to our ranks, and to our communities), that is our strength and our passion and our ability to make a difference in other people's lives -- and in the process, improve our own.
