Happy D-blog Day everyone!!

There are people that we meet in our lives that have such a great affect on   us. The people that give us drive to want to do something more everyday, to better ourselves as an individual. They are people that don’t even know that they are causing such a huge personal impact on you. People that you are glad to call your friends. Some of these people you may have met in person and some you have never met and talk to everyday. These particular people never want anything in return they just want to help.

I have a couple of special people that I want to talk about Ellen Ullman who is my jewish cyber mom. Most of you may know her from the Children with Diabetes forums and chat room. I first came to know Ellen about 8 years ago, when my friend Tom Karlya (Diabetes Dad) cyber-space introduced us (Tom is also an inspiration to me btw). He told me to just email her so of course I did. It was back when I was just starting out on Diabetes Talkfest in 2001. I needed some opinions on it and Ellen definitely gave hers. haha (love you Ellen) After, our introduction we would talk here and there in aol instant messenger and eventually created a tight bond with each other over the years.

Back in 2005, Ellen helped me during one of the toughest times of my life when I hit rock bottom with my diabetes care. She introduced me to people that could help me and gave her motherly cyber advice whenever she saw me online and through email. Even called me a couple of times to make sure I was ok. If it were not for Ellen I think that I would not be here today. So, thank you.

I never met my cyber-mom until this past August at the Mastering your Diabetes program at the Diabetes Research Institute. She surprised me when she showed up to guest speak at one of the sessions on Living with Diabetes. It was her first session as an MSW. Ellen just got her degree in social work not too long before that and it was an honor having her talk to us.

We had the opportunity to hang out again this past weekend at the Diabetes Research Institutes Diabetes 2.0 conference where I was on a panel for the first time. (more on the conference coming soon) My jewish cyber mom was across the room but, of course only an instant message away. I was having very HIGH blood sugars all morning and of course forgot my extra supplies. So, I sent her a text to see if anyone sitting with her had an ketone strips and minimed supplies. I was sitting with Kerri, Manny, Allison and Sara but, none of them had extra supplies.

I immediately got a text back from my cyber mom. Do you want me to make an announcement? I texted her back saying yes. Not realizing what was about to happen. I didn’t know where she was sitting but, looked up at the stage where Dr. Luca Inveradi was about to start his speech and there Ellen was heading up to the microphone. She takes the mic and asks: “Does anyone have any ketostrips?” I was sitting with Kerri Sparling of sixuntilme.com and we both looked at each other and Kerri says: She’s awesome! Obviously, I already knew she was awesome but, I was totally embarrassed, and thought it was hysterical she went up to ask aan audience of like 300 people or so if they had ketone strips. When she wrote back to me asking if I wanted her to make an announcement I thought she meant to the people around her LOL

Anyway, that is the type of person she is. I love her dearly and she continues to inspire me to want to take care  of myself and continually surprises me everyday with the great things she does for our diabetes community. Thank you Ellen xoxoxo

Which brings me to another person I would like to talk about. When I think about this person she brings a smile to my face. Everything she writes in her blog I feel as though I am reading about my own life. I am not a strong writer but, wish I could be a quarter of the writer and person she is. She is inspires me every single day with her wit and sarcasm. I don’t see her regularly, or any of that real-time stuff, but can completely relate to her and know that she is an email, tweet or even an IM away. We are on the same journey to have healthy pregnancies and I fell short a long the way and I am not quite ready yet. But, she gives me hope that I can get there. I am sure you could have guessed who it is by now. Kerri Morrone Sparling of sixuntilme.com. I feed off of Kerri’s energy and enthusiasm and after seeing her this past weekend she makes me believe that I indeed can do this, and be a mom one day. She shared tips with me that are invaluable and even told off a doctor for me at the conference for gods sake! A whole other blog post is coming I promise.

Anyway, I just want to say thank you Kerri and that you are my inspiration.

This brings me to Landileigh Nelson of landileigh.com. She says we met on D-blog Day in 2007 but, honestly I don’t remember exactly when. I will take her word for it. Landileigh and I just recently started thediabetesresource.com together, in case you didn’t know. I can go on and on about Landileigh and all of the things she does for me like umm… late night talks till 530am, her talking to me on the phone while I am showering, crazy skype calls where I siing to her and pretty much scare her cats. The list goes on and on. Landileigh has it hard and she always has a smile on her face and is so optimistic and tries to get me to check my blood and tell her how many carbs I just ate even though I tell her to F-off most of the time. (in a joking way of course LOL) I am so grateful to have met her and call her my friend. Thank you Landileigh for being there for me whenever I need to vent. xoxoxo

Now, for The Diabetes Online Community, although I have not mentioned every single person that I have encountered on a daily basis does not mean you have not have had an affect on me. I mean has anyone checked out George and Scotts crazy lunch video that is just completely hilarious, or 1happydiabetics videos on tudiabetes for the 5 senses contests or have you seen the impact that Manny Hernandez and David Edelman are having on our community with their big blue test and wddusa.org website? Also, Christopher Thomas’ work in the Fight It foundation where he helps people get medicine and strips?

We are all working toward the same goals. Awareness. Cure.

I think that there needs to be some way to combine everyone’s efforts so that we can have this one huge voice to the people that matter. I want to figure out a way how we can do something like this instead of being all of these separate entities which I feel like are competing against each other all of the time. Let’s work together and make our voices as loud as we can this year!!!

Who is with me!!

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