Buttons, part un

At the bottom of each page on this site, you’ll find several rows of buttons. Occasionally, people will click on them, but often, people pass them by. The featured buttons highlight people and things I hope you’ll check out. Each story behind the buttons has changed me in some way, and I want others to experience the same blessings. I hope you’ll bookmark some of the pages and check them out when you have the time. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Diabetes Advocates I’m a member of Diabetes Advocates, a group I wholeheartedly support. The organization is exactly what it says — a group of bloggers who constantly and continually advocate for diabetes. It’s not limited to age, type of diabetes or any other limiting factor. It’s a one-stop shop to find bloggers and others in similar situations. DA members communicate with one another sharing information, technology, research and advocacy points. Please share the resource with others in your local community. If you’d like more information or a copy of a DA brochure, please let me know. Follow DA on Twitter @D_Advocates.

You Can Do This What a wonderful idea this was. My friend, Kim, over at Texting My Pancreas jump-started You Can Do This last year in the hopes of offering encouragement and guidance to others with diabetes. (You Can Do This just celebrated its first birthday! Congrats Kim!) The concept is simple. Someone affected by diabetes records a video and posts it, then Kim posts the video on the You Can Do This website. I know I’ve benefitted from numerous videos and shared several with people I mentor. If you’re planning to be at Friends for Life this year, Kim will have a booth in the exhibit hall. Be sure to stop by! Follow Kim on Twitter @txtngmypancreas.

The War Eagle Reader If you hang around long enough, you’ll learn of my allegiance to Auburn University. A lifelong fan, I graduated from the university with a degree in journalism. My fandom was evident well before I touched foot on campus as a paying student, but since my college years, the fandom has only increased. I’m quite hardcore about Auburn and equally hardcore about my disdain for the other school. I know football is not life, but it sure is my very favorite hobby ever. This site features all things Auburn. You’ll also find many a diabetes story featuring former Auburn guard and Super Bowl champion Kendall Simmons (usually written by moi). You should check out TWER, for sure. {Disclosure: I’m a paid contributor for the site, but if you’re an Auburn fan, you’ll adore this site regardless of whether they pay me to write. War Eagle through and through.} Follow TWER on Twitter @wareaglereader.

Empty Promises – Pete Wilson Sort of like the whole Auburn thing, if you hang out long enough, you’ll learn my favorite city in the world is Nashville. I used to live there before moving to Auburn, and I visit on a regular basis. I have lots of friends there, and my doctors are there. When I’m in town on weekends, I go to Crosspoint Church. It’s in west Nashville where one of my best friends happens to live. (I walk to church from her house, which is awesomeness). Pete is the pastor of Crosspoint, and he has stirred me countless times through his sermons. You can find them online, too, so you don’t have to live in Nashville to be blessed. (Bonus!) Empty Promises is his new book, and while I haven’t read it yet, I have listened to the sermon series HERE. If the sermons are a forecaster, the book will be amazing — and that’s not an empty promise. (Ha. See what I did there?) Follow Pete on Twitter @pwilson.

DSMA (Diabetes Social Media Advocacy) If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve seen my tweets increase significantly most Wednesday nights. This is why. From 8-9 p.m. CST each Wednesday, I join other diabetes advocates from around the world (yes, world!) and answer questions regarding a specific diabetes topic. By adding #dsma within each tweet, everyone in the chat is able to see the responses and questions. It’s a tremendous resource, started by my friend Cherise. I’ve learned so many things through #dsma like this, for instance. I’ve also made some great new friends this way as well! Join in the fun next Wednesday! Follow DSMA on Twitter @diabetessocmed.