JDRF Government Day: Blogger Roundtable

One of the most exciting parts of the Government Day weekend was the Blogger Roundtable!

As I mentioned in my last post, I had the honor of meeting some awesome bloggers (Allison Blass, Cherise Shockley, Kelly Kunik, Kelly Rawlings, Kerri Sparling, Kim Vlasnik, Mike Hoskins, Scott Johnson, and Scott Strange) from the DOC! I found many of these folks shortly after Sweetpea was diagnosed. Finding other people who were living this crazy life made me feel not so alone.

I clearly remember sitting at the computer, with a 3 year old Sweetpea on my lap, and searching the net for diabetes information. I remember looking for blogs and pictures of people with diabetes so I could show Sweets that she was not alone.

So imagine my surprise when some of these wonderful bloggers recognized ME! Well... It wasn't ME they recognized... It was Sweets, of course! And they were just as nice in person as they seem on their blogs! And yes, I mean all of them!

After meeting a group of them (Allison, Cherise, Kim, Kelly R, Scott J, and Scott S), I pointed out to Sweets that they all had diabetes. And they were wonderfully open about their pumps and cgms. Sweets just giggled like she usually does.... But then she told me that they were all in her "Diabetes Club". AND.... She said she was terribly sorry but J and I could not be in the club because we don't have diabetes. So there!

 

 Kim, Sweetpea, Me, and Cherise

 

 Kelly K and Sweetpea - Can you feel the love here?  Sweets just adores Kelly!

** I wish I had been able to get pics of everyone... my camera was being persnickety and I was lucky to get what I got!**

I love that she felt this sense of camaraderie with them- adults that she did not know. Isn't that what the DOC is all about? Connections, relationships, the feeling of "same". And clearly it does not matter if you're 5 or 45. The sentiment is still there!

Saturday night was the Awards Dinner. I walked into the ballroom and stopped short. The room was filled with tables and people.... And I knew no one, really, at the event. A little overwhelming...! But before I could even figure out where to go, Kim invited me to sit with them. Thanks, Kim!

That was one of the best experiences! Everyone had their phones and cgms on the table. At one point, I looked around and realized that I was the ONLY person at the table without diabetes. And that was really cool! And I couldn't help but hope that someday Sweets will have a similar group of people that she can rely on for support and knowledge and friendship- people that really "get it".

Sunday afternoon was the blogger Roundtable. I was in Group One - the one that was broadcast live on Ustream!

As a member of the DOC, I was excited about this! The DOC has brought so much good into my life. Without the people I've met online, I don't think I'd be as far along in this journey as I am. I KNOW that the DOC has taught me so much- and helped me be a better pancreas for my daughter. Her care is better because of it. And that is priceless!! That is something that I want to share with the world!

I thought the presentation was great and really helped explain all this social media stuff to people who are not familiar with it.  Of course, being a blogger myself and a part of the DOC, it was all I could do to sit in the audience and be quiet!  I wanted to yell out things like, "So True!"  "Amen!"  "The DOC IS wonderful and all about support and encouragement!"  "Get involved, Get connected!  Don't be scared!"

But I was good and kept myself under control!  Blogging is just something that is near and dear to my heart!  I firmly believe that when PWD bloggers and Parent bloggers unite - the sky's the limit!

I really can't do the roundtable justice - but you can WATCH it for yourself!  I only wish I had been able to attend both sessions!

Of course, I LOVE that JDRF asked the adult T1's to be a part if this weekend. They have so much to offer us....

As a D Mama, I can talk all day on what it's like to raise a child with diabetes. But I can't tell you what it's like to LIVE with diabetes.

They can.

They offer us a glimpse into the future.

In the past, many people have felt that JDRF was part of childhood. They felt that it was not an organization that followed people into the adult world. That is a shame. And I'm glad to see that changing.

I want Sweets to have a sense of belonging and to find support throughout her life. Her LONG life.

And I have a feeling that JDRF is going to be that organization!

Click to read JDRF Government Day:  Part One

**Disclaimer....  I am an Action Team Chair (basically I'm in charge of Government Relations/Grassroots Advocacy) for our local JDRF chapter.  JDRF paid my air travel, hotel, and some meals during Government Day.  J and Sweetpea paid their own way.  I just don't like to be away from my girl... or her Daddy... so I begged them to come!  JDRF did not ask me to blog about this event!  Everything I write is what I personally think.  I'm just telling it like it is... at least to me!**