An Unexpected Connection
Today is the first day of Diabetes Blog week. Each day we have a prompt and are called to post a response. You can read all responses at my friend Karen’s site Bitter~Sweet. Also, please remember RABlog week will occur in September. I hope you join the fun then as well.
Prompt
Diabetes and the Unexpected – Monday 5/15
Diabetes can sometimes seem to play by a rulebook that makes no sense, tossing out unexpected challenges at random. What are your best tips for being prepared when the unexpected happens? Or, take this topic another way and tell us about some good things diabetes has brought into your, or your loved ones, life that you never could have expected?
I had absolutely no desire to do much of anything except find the answer to a question or two when I joined TUDiabetes back in 2010. I honestly was killing time when I keyed in Diabetes. Of course I got a full range of suggestions about how to cure diabetes and the typical web medicine news. But I also received a link to some social media web sites. They did not interest me much at all.
For whatever reason, I clicked on TUDiabetes and I was transported to a site that has become a big part of my life. TUDiabetes has remained my home for over 7 years. But it did not seem that it would happen like that the first day. Instead, I felt this site seemed like many; it would be product or dogma driven and provide little if no connection to those living with diabetes.
Over the years my involvement with TUDiabetes has waxed and waned. I have been fully engrossed at times and at other times I have been little more than a passive member. In 2010 I virtually dropped out to pursue an educational opportunity and then in 2012 I rediscovered the site.
I have connected with some of the brightest most wonderful people in the diabetes community through TUDiabetes. People who bring more meaning to my life. These people are my friends, and I enjoy life more because we connected.
But TUDiabetes is more than relationships. My diabetes is better managed and I will live longer as a result of the day I found TUDiabetes. I wish I could say that I was looking for any of that the day I found TUDiabetes; I was not. I was simply looking around to kill some time. I suppose I did that.
Imagine if I had been looking for something important? I might have discovered a new way to transport humans to the stars. Or I might have found a new flavor of Popsicle. Life is truly unexpected.
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rick
The DOC as a whole, and TuDiabetes as a small part, are much richer for having you with us. And your post makes me thing about how great it is that we can be 100% engaged, or take a step back, as our lives dictate. And still, the community is here for all who need it!!
Thank you for the kind words, Karen. I can honestly say I have always found such good friends and support in both the DOC and TUdiabetes. Both are great communities of wonderful people.
its so true Tudiabetes has made me feel so much better about my diabetes…
It is a wonderfully accepting community. I am so glad you have found a place with us.
It’s so nice to have a resource like TuDiabetes. Thank you for sharing about the impact it’s had in your life. Reminds me to check it out too 🙂
Tudiabetes is a wonderful resource for many. We would love to have you stop by.
I definitely agree with the sentiment of waxing and waning levels of engagement in the DOC. I must admit that my TuDiabetes page has been dormant for a long time, but I find my online support through Facebook and Twitter and blogging. Glad that TuDiabetes has been a great source of support for you, Rick.
I mostly stopped interacting online while I was doing some graduate work, then found I was able to pick it up once again. I suspect many people find large social media platforms are like that.
Rick, As always, great blog and comments. TuDiabetes is a special community!
Deb, it certainly is a great place. Thank you for the kind words.
Rick, I’m delayed as usual but it’s so lovely to have you in this community. I’m looking forward to catching up on your posts this week.
Bec, it is always a pleasure to have your comments.
Thanks so much for sharing, Rick. You are a big part of what makes it awesome.
Thanks Scott, I appreciate the kind words.