Guest Post: Bridging The Gap ~

I walked in the door late last night from my trip to LA & the Medtronic Diabetes Advocate Forum/#medtronicDAF. I have boatloads to share - FYI, be on the look out for the Medtronic press release & Carelink being MAC compatible any second (like as in this week) now!

But unfortunately, yours truly has a full day of work & a full inbox, so my post won't be up until tomorrow! Lucky for you (and me) Cherise Shockley, brain child of the Wenseday night twitter chat #DSMA (diabetes social media advocacy,) Blog radio co-host of DSMA Live, Continuing The Conversation, and all around fantastical member of the DOC, was kind enough to write a wonderful guest post about what she learned at (#jdrfgovday) JDRF's Government Day. Thanks & TAKE IT AWAY, CHERISE!

######## Thank you Twin (Kelly) for asking me to guest post today. I am not sure what I am going to write about because I am currently having issues with sitting at the computer to blog about things happening in my life. Sad, I know?!?!

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the JDRF Government Day with a few other diabetes/patient bloggers and huge diabetes advocates in social media. I was honored and blessed to be surrounded by family that felt the same passion for advocating for diabetes and for the people who live with it, young or old and Type didn'tt matter.

We discussed a lot of different issues. I learned a lot about advocating not only for people living with diabetes but I learned a lot about advocating for the technology and the science needed to help make our lives easier.

I learned that the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a great organization that started off as a huge support system for children living with diabetes and their parents but ended up being “cure” focused and lost track of the children as they grew up.

I also learned, that the JDRF is making an effort to go back to their roots but with an added twist-see, not only will JDRF focus on support for children but also for adults and still continue to find ways to help us live with diabetes, some day prevent it and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy down the line if the good Lord’s willing, a Cure.

I also learned that Parents of children with diabetes are NOISE MAKERS when it comes to diabetes. I learned that they have a big heart and mean well but when it comes to their children, they do not play and do not take no for an answer! They ROCKED Capitol Hill with their stories and children’s stories-some were heart breaking, empowering and uplifting. I saw and heard a lot of the parents speak about their kids being burnout, hated diabetes, didn’t let diabetes stop them or some lived with diabetes a lone and felt comfortable doing it!

I also learned that parents cry a lot and they want to stop this disease but at the same time find ways to help them live with it. Sounds a lot like the Diabetes Online Community? Doesn’t it?

I was glad to hear the JDRF and ADA work together on a few government related issues, meet and shake hands with a lot of people that understood diabetes, eat cupcakes, sit on an awesome panel, hang out with my family, get lost on the Metro, sit next to an awesome Pilot and flight attendants and most importantly represent the Diabetes Online Community.

I believe Jeffery Brewer and the JDRF staff will try their best to bridge the gap between children, teens and adults living with diabetes.

We have to be patient and figure out how to jump in and lend a hand. We complain about the past. Let’s help fix the problem. Let’s be a part of the solution for the future.

Be Blessed,

Cherise