Thursday marks another Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. A day to give thanks for all of the blessings in our lives.
If diabetes is a part of your life, you might not think you have much to be thankful for. If that’s how you feel, that’s your decision… who am I to tell you you’re wrong?
In my case, however, I choose to stop and recognize that there is much for me to be thankful for this year, including these 8 things:
1. First and foremost, I’m thankful for a job that helps pay my bills and manages a health plan that ensures I have access to the devices and drugs that help me stay alive.
2. I’d like to give thanks to those who have provided opportunities for me to expand my knowledge or expand my advocacy efforts, and even get me involved in things I haven’t done before.
I’m including The Society for Participatory Medicine, who provided a stipend for me to attend HIMSS18 this year. Thanks to Janssen, who gave me an opportunity to meet other patient advocates at HealtheVoices. Also, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, who makes it so easy to be an advocate, and allowed me to be a part of the DPAC Policy Training Meeting in September, which included my first-ever chance to advocate before lawmakers. Count also Maryland’s Secretary of Health, who, through an appointment, allowed me to serve on the state’s Advisory Council on Health and Wellness.
Thanks to Dr. Nicole Bereolos, who gave me a chance to sit on a discussion panel she led at AADE in August. That weekend included the rollout of the #LanguageMatters video from Mytonomy, which featured a number of diabetes voices, including one you may recognize. It’s been a very busy year, but a rewarding one for sure.
3. Where would I be without the Diabetes Community? Wonderful friends who are smart, funny, curious, and welcoming all at the same time. I saw diabetes friends get on a plane this year and fly across time zones to attend the funeral for a member of the tribe. Many of us got together this fall for no other reason than the fact that we missed each other and wanted to be together for a while. Thanks to everyone who was a part of these or many other wonderful moments among compatriots.
4. Along with that, I want to give thanks to our magnificent #DSMA participants throughout the year. Every Wednesday, and especially when I’ve been a moderator, they’ve made me happy and proud to facilitate the hour long Twitter discussion. For the record, I’ll be back to moderate on November 28 at 9:00 eastern time (US).
5. Thank you to other diabetes groups that help bring people together, in various ways. Diabetes Sisters, Children With Diabetes, Beyond Type 1, even JDRF… they’re all using innovative means to keep the conversation going about the things that are most important to all of us.
6. I’m giving thanks once again this year for insulin, the wonder hormone that keeps me alive every day. Thank you Banting and Best, for saving my life and the lives of millions of others.
7. I can’t let Thanksgiving come and go without giving thanks to The Great Spousal Unit and Max the Cat, who have been alternately supportive and patient throughout the year. I hope I remember to recognize my good fortune in this regard this year and every year.
8. Finally, I’m thankful to you. For reading, for following on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, for sending requests for Champion Athlete With Diabetes medals, and so much more. You make me want to keep writing here, and I can’t thank you enough.
So with that, please allow me to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for today?
