Diabetes Online Community Down Under

I have very little Australian spirit. You need only watch me shouting at the overhyped Aussies in the Australian Open. Don’t even get me started on Nick Kyrgios…

However, in the spirit of Australia Day tomorrow, I would like to acknowledge some awesome people in our Australian Diabetes Online Community. Also because I’m going from memory here, I apologise in advance if I’ve gotten any of my facts wrong!

Melinda, one half of Twice Diabetes, always brings a great deal of knowledge, experience and helpful advice to conversations in the DOC. She’s also not afraid to call it like it is where diabetes organisations are concerned.

When I first connected with Maureen at Mum of Type 1, she was concerned about a future for her teenage son with type 1 diabetes. She’s since joined the ranks of the Twitterverse, written to politicians, fundraised, and continues to blog as her secret therapy!

Renza at Diabetogenic is very honest and relatable, and she’s not afraid to tell us that diabetes is plain crap to live with. Working for a diabetes organisation in Australia, her writing also gives us the insider’s view on her advocacy work.

I feel like I have a lot in common with Georgie at Lazy Pancreas. We were both diagnosed with type 1 in 2010 at roughly the same age. A diagnosis with type 1 presents unique challenges at every age, and Georgie articulates in her writing what I often feel myself.

As the title of her blog suggests, Rachel at Yoga For Diabetes lives and breathes yoga. When Rachel was diagnosed as a LADA a few years ago, she wanted to show others how yoga could benefit people with diabetes. She now has dedicated social media channels, and a book in the works.

Kyle at Training T1D displays admirable determination in not letting diabetes get in the way of his cycling. He impressively navigated his blood sugar levels through the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes in South Australia this month, and raised over $4,000 in doing so.

Ashley at Bittersweet Diagnosis was initially diagnosed as a LADA before becoming insulin dependent. Ashley is a dietician, and recently travelled to Vancouver where she was elected as President of the International Diabetes Federation’s Young Leaders in Diabetes program.

I’ve always wondered what life would be like if I was diagnosed a few years earlier while I was still at school, and everyone ‘knew.’ Bec at A Diabetic’s Rollercoaster handles it with a lot of enthusiasm and humour, and I enjoy reading about how she navigates diabetes among her friends as a young adult today.

Then, of course, there’s the awesome Oz Diabetes Online Community who hangs out on Twitter every Tuesday night. I appreciate this group so much. I can’t say how awesome it is just to casually chat, bounce ideas and thoughts about, and laugh with a group of people who just get it.

Our online community here in Australia may be relatively small (to my knowledge, at least), but know that I really appreciate each and every one of your voices.

Happy Australia Day!

6 Comments

  1. Thanks Frank! Love your work. I realised the other day I have to change my tagline, not a type 1 teen any more haha

    Happy Australia Day for tomorrow- taking a long weekend in the true Aussie fashion? 😉

  2. Wow, thanks for that Frank! Not feeling worthy of ranking amongst these amazing DOC notables! Your online support has meant a lot to me!

    You do a fantastic job with your blog.

    Go Andy Murray, I say!

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