You Can Do This Project

Contributor: Doc P; www.blackdiabeticinfo.com

Connection: Person with type 2 diabetes

Standout Quote: “Two months after being diagnosed with diabetes, I didn’t have a home anymore. Tornadoes swept through my area [...] and wiped out my apartment. So there I am, two months into being a diabetic – still processing that, which meant I’m crying like every day – and I lose my home. [...] I say, if I can do it, you can do this too.”

Contributor: Sysy; www.thegirlsguidetodiabetes.com

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: “Hope is the way to go. Push negativity out of your head; do what you have to do. Don’t listen to those who are feeding you toxic thoughts or bringing you down. Try to have faith and ride out the inevitable storms, because there’s nothing else to do but get through. Hang in there!”

Contributor: Allison; @AMBlass

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: “I really feel that getting a friend with diabetes has been the best medication for me – almost as important as insulin. I can’t live without [the diabetes online community] at this point, and I would never want anyone else to go through this alone either.”

Contributor: Sarah; tightropetango.blogspot.com

Connection: Child with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: “You can do everything your friends do – sports, activities – you can do anything, really. You’re not alone.”

Contributor: Jeff Mather; @jeffmather

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: “Any disease where your body is out of your control is going to be difficult – both physically and emotionally. [...] Diabetes is all about blood glucose, but your life doesn’t have to be. It won’t always be easy, but you’re not alone and you can do this.”

Contributor: Kelsey; @kelsse

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: ”This year, I’ll celebrate 30 years with type 1 diabetes. Yes, I said CELEBRATE. They tell me a cure is just around the corner… I’m going to keep on walking to find that corner. If I can do this, YOU can do this.”

Contributor: Naomi; @hopewithpump

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes (father had type 1 as well)

Standout Quote: “If I tell my patients to do something with their diabetes, I should follow my own advice. ‘Why can’t I do that?’ I wish I were more open about some things, like injecting in public and talking to my Mom about my diabetes – but I’ll get there, and you will, too.”

Contributor: Danielle; @DanNicole88

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: {In a letter to a younger version of herself} “You are in control. Sometimes you will not feeling like testing. Sometimes you will want to cry because you have simply had enough. Some days, even after 11 years, you will still feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. Keep going. I promise that if you monitor your blood sugars, eat healthy and take insulin when you’re supposed to, that you will feel great about yourself. On some days, you will dream about what life would be like if you were “normal”, but you can’t think that way. You ARE normal.”

Contributor: Lena

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes (27 years since dx)

Standout Quote: “Before I was diagnosed, I almost went into a coma. Doctors didn’t know what the symptoms of diabetes were, or just didn’t care, [or treated me as if I had type 2]. I was struggling with my weight, gastroparesis, neuropathy, diabetic mastopathy, and sometimes depression. I developed diabulimia. [...] Since then, I’ve decided I need to make changes. I may not know what the future brings, but I’m still here. I’m not going to be defined by compications, and I’m doing my best every day.”