I was browsing through my fellow D-bloggers’ sites a few days ago, when I came across Penny’s. She is the mother of a young boy as well, and I share many of the same experiences and feelings that come through in her writing.
Then I noticed a link a entited Diabetes 365 Project.
I looked at photos that seemed all too familiar of “hypo eyes,” the many tools required to operate glucometers, insulin pens and pumps, a mini library of books about Diabetes. I discovered that this project was a year long commitment-all that is required is one photo a day that somehow relates to your diabetes life.
I was just about to click on the link, when an idea came to mind. There is a phemomemal amount of devoted and commited D bloggers in the US. However, in Australia, blogs about Diabetes is a relatively new concept. I thought about our coming election-if Kevin Rudd is elected, and therefore, a new Health Minister-a whole new awareness campaign will be required. ( We have already punished the Howard Goverment with copious letters, parcels, photos, dvds, even a visit to Parliament House.)
So that’s where Project 365:Australia was born.
I contacted my good friend, Liz, who knows my situation well and walks in my shoes as a carer. I told her about the concept and we immediately began brainstorming ideas. We realised that we could provide Australians with a new and innovative awareness tool.
Our politicians have read the facts and statistics, they have heard the heartbreaking and frustrating stories. However, it is very rare to actually see footage or live action of a diabetic receiving an insulin injection, or of how the appearance of diabetic dramatically changes when their blood sugar is severely depleted.
We have commited ourselves to the challenge of taking one photo a day until the 1st November, 2008. Liz has worked tirelessly on creating a website which is now available for participants to start adding their websites into. I have been busily inviting the many diabetics I have come to know over the past five years to take up the challenge.
Tomorrow marks the 1st day of November. November is internationally recognised as Diabetes Month. This is my contribution to creating awareness about Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetes Insipidus and Gestational Diabetes.
Please visit www.project365australia.com for further information.
This project is dedicated to my son, and to James, who both suffer from brittle forms of Type 1 Diabetes. Their bravery, and commitment to continuing to teach people, despite many frustrations has made me want to fight for their emancipation of this horrible condition.
Brian said,
1 November, 2007 @ 5:35 am
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now. My wife was diagnosed when she was seven years old and is now 43. She’s been on an insulin pump for five years now and it has helped a great deal with the wild swings of blood sugars.
I know the thing that always bothered her the most was not having a ‘normal’ childhood. I hope your son can see beyond diabetes and grow up knowing that many children are like him and that he is normal.
Penny said,
2 November, 2007 @ 6:05 am
Good luck with the project, Kate.