If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past few years, it’s the importance of the online community in coping with diabetes.  When I was first diagnosed, I felt really alone; I was going through an endless cycle of guilt, fear, and anger.  I didn’t know that it was normal to feel these emotions.

The first blog I ever read was Kerri’s Six Until Me.  It resonated so strongly with my feelings, and I found that we had lots in common (including home states, cat names, and occupations).  From there, I entered a whole new world of diabetes blogs, websites, and social networks like TuDiabetes. I lurked for ages, afraid to write something stupid.  But, I often found myself bobbing my head in agreement as I read others’ words.

Now, I’m a blogger, too.  I do it mostly for me because it’s a very liberating experience.  But, if even one person out there is able to identify with what I write, then I’ve done even more than I’d hoped.