Support: On-line and Off!!

I may sound like a broken record, but I love the D-OC.  After years of being the only person I knew with diabetes, it’s so incredible to have a whole support system just one mouse-click away.  (That’s a computer mouse, I’m not clicking any little furry creatures, thank you!!)

As wonderful as an on-line support system is, it’s also very important to have real-life, face-to-face, off-line support too.  I’m lucky that many of my on-line friends have become real-life friends - with phone calls and visits as often as possible.  I’m also blessed to gather with my Fairfield County Diabetes Dinner crew every few months or so.  But still, I wanted to branch out, find more people to connect with, do more to offer support.  So as I mentioned a while ago, I teamed up with my local JDRF and became part of a group working on launching a local Type 1 Adult Outreach Program.  There have been meetings, planning, and brainstorming.  It’s all been great fun, and I’m really really excited that next week we will be holding our first event!!

Click to enlarge!!

I really hope we get a good turnout for this event.  I hope I meet a ton of new people.  I hope, if you are in the area, you will join us!!  And I can’t wait to see how this new support group will evolve and where it will take us.

Do you have a local off-line support group?  Would you like to find one or help get one started?  Today at noon EST JDRF will be holding a live webcast to talk about their Outreach Programs and personalized support for those living with Type 1 Diabetes.  You can tune in live at noon at www.jdrf.org/livewebcasts.  If you miss the live airing, it will be recorded and made available on-line.

If you are reading this post, then I know you have an on-line support system.  But please tell me about your experience with off-line support groups - any tips and input can help others building support groups in their area!