Author Archives: janekdickinson

Out of the shadows for strength

Posted on August 5, 2020 by janekdickinson

This made me crawl out of the shadows and write again today. In case you didn’t click on it, this is a post from the American Diabetes Association about a presentation at their Scientific Sessions held this past June. Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Out of the shadows for strength

Checking In

Posted on June 11, 2020 by janekdickinson

It’s been a while since I last posted anything. I haven’t felt inspired to write during the whole pandemic situation. More than that, though, it didn’t seem like there was much to say that hadn’t already been said. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes advocacy, diabetes care | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Checking In

Patient or Person

Posted on March 24, 2020 by janekdickinson

I am an advocate for referring to me and others with diabetes as a person, or people, first. That’s been discussed in the context of not calling people “diabetics,” and also in terms of using the word “patient.” I started to … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes-related language | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Patient or Person

Diabetes and the Immune System

Posted on March 16, 2020 by janekdickinson

This is an uncertain, unprecedented time for everyone. Those of living with diabetes may have more questions, concerns, and fears than others. We’ve been told all our diabetes lives that we have a higher risk for illness because our immune … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes care, diabetes news, type 1 diabetes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Diabetes and the Immune System

Overwhelmed may not be a choice

Posted on March 10, 2020 by janekdickinson

I read a blog post titled “overwhelmed is a choice,” that sat with me for a few days. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have a relatively stable management plan and excellent health insurance. Life, in general, can be overwhelming, … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, cost of diabetes, diabetes advocacy, diabetes distress, diabetes support groups | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Overwhelmed may not be a choice

Please ask.

Posted on February 13, 2020 by janekdickinson

I read a story about Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She was injecting insulin in a restaurant bathroom and another patron saw her. Later, Sotomayor heard the woman say she was a drug addict. The justice explained to the woman that she … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes advocacy, diabetes books | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Please ask.

Have insulin; will party

Posted on February 6, 2020 by janekdickinson

Birthdays can be fun. On my birthday this year I started thinking about cake and frosting (I think it was the dancing cupcake with my face superimposed on it that a friend texted to me that got it started). I … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes and food | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Have insulin; will party

It’s character building…

Posted on January 31, 2020 by janekdickinson

Just read an awesome blog post about parents of kids with special needs. I am stealing this line from the author (Heather McCain – thanks, Heather), because it fits in so many contexts, including diabetes: Strength is BUILT. Knowledge is ACQUIRED. … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes care, diabetes motivation | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on It’s character building…

Customer Service is dead

Posted on January 23, 2020 by janekdickinson

What happened to customer service? Here’s my PSA (opportunity): If you want loyal customers, who will spread the word about your product, have amazing customer service. Don’t make us look it up online if we’ve gone to the effort to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Customer Service is dead

Acceptance

Posted on January 16, 2020 by janekdickinson

The back drop to the whole language movement is acceptance. It’s time to move beyond “meeting people where they are” and start accepting people where they are. I’ve heard horror stories about people who’ve gone to a provider reporting pain … Continue reading →

Posted in diabetes advocacy, health care providers, Unshaming Diabetes | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Acceptance