Today’s blog topic: What is the most important diabetes awareness message to you? Why is that message important for you, and what are you trying to accomplish by sharing it on your blog? 

One of the many reasons why I love Diabetes Blog Week is because it’s a chance to see and read all the different diabetes blogs all in one place. Every year I’m excited to see new diabetes bloggers as well as catch up with the blogs I’ve been following for some time.

Last year there were over 150 bloggers who participated. One hundred and fifty people of different ages, different years of living with diabetes, some have it themselves, some care for others who do. Everyone wrote something personal and unique to them, yet we all have one thing in common. We are all living with or caring for someone with diabetes.

I think the message that is most important to me is that even though we are all in this together and we all have something in common, we each have our own experiences and stories to tell. No two people with diabetes are the exactly the same. Our bodies react differently, our approaches to food and exercise may differ, our strategies to cope are unique to us. And that’s okay. Diabetes is a complicated disease and how we manage it is distinct to each of us. And if someone does something differently, it’s not our job to pass judgment or tell them that what they’re doing is wrong. Our job isn’t to blame or criticize. Our job is to accept and encourage everyone. Because while our journeys may be different, our destinations are the same as we all hope for a cure and a long and healthy life.

Read other blogger’s response to this post here.