Change Happens Slowly---

As most of the T1 peeps know, Oprah attempted diabetes on her show yesterday with Dr. Oz. I chose not to watch because I knew it would get my blood boiling because far too often Type 1 and Type 2 are lumped together as "Diabetes." It is extremely frustrating for me. It's not right, but it's what happens. People have been trying for decades to spread awareness about Type 1 Diabetes. The outcome has been interesting.

What I've come to realize is change happens slowly.

We can't change the world overnight--as much as we might like to. Think about your experiences with diabetes. Those of you who parent a Type 1 kido and those of you with no connection to diabetes at all. How much did you know before a family member's dx or before you started reading my blog? Chances are, not much. I sure didn't. Before Sydney's diagnosis I fell into that group of "ignorant people" who drive me nuts now. :-)

Did Oprah have the opportunity to inform millions of people about Type 1 yesterday--yes. Did she do that? From what I've read, no.

But change happens slowly.

We all are doing the very best we can with what we've been given. And because of our best, we are helping people--not in the immediate masses like Oprah can. But we are informing people. It's just taking time. Think about all the family and friends who you have told about Type 1 Diabetes. Think about all these people that knew nothing about Type 1 before YOU came along. Now think about the people they have told. See the ripple effect we are having? Is it immediate? No.

Change happens slowly.

I have had the opportunity to inform many people about Type 1 Diabetes. I've had several people leave comments on my blog saying that I've helped them understand this disease better. Those are my small steps...baby steps. We may not have the immediate mass power that Oprah has but through our small steps and doing our personal best, we are informing the masses. Since YOU came along, talking and blogging about Type 1 Diabetes, YOU have helped change mindsets. Not millions in one day but small numbers do add up over a lifetime.

Change happens slowly.

Type 2 Diabetes will always take the front stage in situations like this. Why? Because out of all the diabetics only 10 small percent are Type 1. Type 2 affects the greater number of people. Type 2 is a serious disease and I think it was important that it was addressed because the majority of Type 2 people can CHANGE their course in life. Of course I wish we had more exposure for Type 1, but, rest assured our voice is heard. Our stories are told. We can't climb Mt. Everest in day. We can't run a marathon without training. We can't change the world overnight. But, one step at a time, one voice at a time, we can climb Everest. One day at a time we can train for that marathon. And eventually, we will change the world. But we need to remember...

Change happens slowly.