I'm very excited to welcome Gavin Griffiths to Minneapolis! Gavin is an ultra-marathoner who has lived with type 1 diabetes since the age of 8. He's making our great city an important part of an amazing adventure he's on - the "Diathlete USA Tour 2014!" Based in London, Gavin makes a habit of doing big things in the name of diabetes advocacy. As this post publishes, … [Read more...] about Diathlete Gavin Griffiths in Minneapolis!
Heroes and Heroines
Camp Sweet Life – Diabetes Camp in Southern Minnesota
Last weekend I bumped into an old friend. I don't even know how to properly convey the gratitude I have for Dr. Robert Larson. He is the pediatric endocrinologist that took care of me and my diabetes for nearly twenty years as I was growing up. Starting with me at age six or seven, going into appointments with me and my parents, all the way to me at age twenty-five and … [Read more...] about Camp Sweet Life – Diabetes Camp in Southern Minnesota
Diabetes Diplomats – Lisa & Zach Treese
Diagnosis Zach was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of three, on Father's Day, 2007. Spending four days in the hospital, learning how to check blood sugars and give shots, Lisa watched her little guy finally smile again. He had been the moodiest little boy, and now she understood why. They spent their time in the hospital on the same floor as little kids … [Read more...] about Diabetes Diplomats – Lisa & Zach Treese
Fear: What it Does and Doesn’t Do
I love Riva Greenberg. We are all so fortunate that she is able to devote herself to helping people with diabetes. She has much wisdom and many gifts to share with us. She wrote a post recently (A Valentine's Gift of Health and Happiness) about her experience with Divabetics (another group I'd like to write more about - Max is awesome), and there was a section that jumped … [Read more...] about Fear: What it Does and Doesn’t Do
Beyond Fingersticks
Thirty years ago I was peeing on test strips to assess my diabetes management (a revolution for those who had to use a chemistry kit). Within the next few years I was measuring my blood sugar instead of urine, and had machines that spit an actual number at me. A relevant, actionable number as current as the two minutes it took to do the test. It was still hard to manage … [Read more...] about Beyond Fingersticks
Diabetes Art Day!
I want to spread the word about Diabetes Art Day (September 1), a very fun idea by a super special person. Lee Ann Thill is an art therapist and a person living with diabetes. Lee Ann is a wonderful person, and I'm blessed to know her. I hope that you'll find some way to participate - even if it is just stick figures on a post-it note. From her post: I’m asking … [Read more...] about Diabetes Art Day!
Singing Praises for Ginger Vieira (and me!)
I've been working a lot with Ginger Vieira, and she is one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time. Maybe ever. She is really good at helping people, and I am thankful to have such a great coach and sounding board. I have also worked really hard at looking at myself and honestly answering the questions we have come up with. I can't say enough … [Read more...] about Singing Praises for Ginger Vieira (and me!)
Meet A Hero (Heroine?) of Mine
This is Riva Greenberg. I'm a big fan of her, and feel lucky that I can also say she is a friend. I can't remember exactly how I first found Riva and her blog (Diabetes Stories), but once I started reading I really connected with the wisdom that she so openly shares. Riva was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1972. Like so many of you (us?) diagnosed so long ago, she has … [Read more...] about Meet A Hero (Heroine?) of Mine