First and foremost. This is not the end of the world. I know someone who recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with type 1 diabetes – http://kaylaslifenotes.blogspot.com/2013/09/success-on-kilimanjaro.html. There will be adjustments, some immediate, others you can’t predict, but this is totally doable.

Starting with your endocrinologist, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as possible. Contrary to belief, they are just *one part* of your diabetes team. And if they aren’t working with you, find someone that will.

Support is key with this disease, which is why I rely on social media. If you’re on Twitter, this list: https://twitter.com/iam_spartacus/lists/wilfordbrimley, is a good place to start if you’re looking to connect with other PWDs (people with diabetes). A popular hashtag that people use when sharing thoughts and comments is #dsma – I encourage you to lurk on that hashtag, particularly on Wednesday nights at 9pm eastern (there’s a weekly Twitter chat that centers around that hashtag) to reinforce the thought that you are not alone with this disease and find likeminded people to connect with.

Depending on where you are in life, there are a number of blogs that can speak to you, your life with diabetes, and your goals. Here are a few, but keep in mind that this is only the beginning. If these writers don’t connect, check out their blogrolls for a number of other blogs from across the country and around the world.

• Me – https://tobesugarfree.com/
• Kerri Sparling – http://sixuntilme.com/
• Kim Vlasnik – http://textingmypancreas.com/

And if you ever need a more direct pickmeup, try http://youcandothisproject.com

Feel free to contact me directly if you have any other questions. This is a marathon and we’re all in this together.

Welcome to the fun. (I promise, there will be fun days.)

// I sent this to my sister to give to one of her coworker’s daughters who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes earlier this week. I’m not sure if any of you reading this are new to this disease, but just in case, this is for you too.

You can do this.