Diabetes Sisters has a new look – and a forward looking agenda. They are working to be THE support organization for women and their health, and they’re well on their way.

The photo above documents their offerings. Among them are weekly virtual meet-ups. While a few years ago the groups were run locally face to face, the pandemic brought the groups online where they have stayed. The advantage is now you can attend any group, anywhere, and as many as you like.

I’ve been doing a lot of work with the leads of Diabetes Sisters, Donna Rice, Michele Polz, Shelby Kinnaird and Kristy Farnoly since last November when I wrote an article in their December newsletter that we can’t control blood sugar. I can vouch that these women’s concern is you. To bring you everything in their power to help you thrive.

I can also vouch that flourishing with diabetes lies very much at the foundation of Diabetes Sisters’ new platform. There are regular expert series on issues that affect women’s health. Some are given by medical experts, others by patient experts.

I delivered a webinar last month on flourishing with diabetes and May 29th I’ll be showcasing live guest Amy Jordan and her amazing triumphal story. Amy lives with type 1 diabetes, blindness, a damaged leg due to being hit by a New York City bus, and she leads a dance company, her lifelong passion, and has never stopped taking giant-sized bites out of life. You can watch her documentary, Amy’s Victory Dance, and I strongly suggest that you do. Then join us on the 29th for the conversation.

While the organization has put on a new face, much hasn’t changed. Founded by Brandy Barnes in 2008, and then run by her successor, Anna Norton, and including the women who have run the meet-up groups over the past years, everyone has held the same desire, to help women with diabetes not feel alone, not be alone and live their best life.

There’s a lot going on and there’s a warm community waiting with open arms. Come take a look, I’m sure you’ll find something of interest.

Admittedly I’ve never used Levemir, a basal insulin from Novo Nordisk. I used Lantus for a long time and now use Tresiba, which frankly I love. Flat profile, once a day, just works for me. That said, maybe it’s never been truer than when a medication goes away, YDMV — Your Diabetes May Vary. What works for one may not work so well for another.

I wanted to post this article from diaTribe today, “Switching Away From Levemir: What Are the Options?” for those who use Levemir. I can imagine your distress. It’s ridiculous, potentially harmful and uncaring for pharmaceutical companies to always let their bottom line weight more heavily than their morality.

That said, as the old Chinese fable of the farmer tells us, some who will switch from Levemir to something else will actually find a benefit in having to do so. No matter which camp you fall into, I wish you well.

Join me for an utterly conversational, yet paradigm shifting talk below. I had the pleasure to kick off Diabetes Sisters‘ Lifestyle Webinar series with a half hour look at flourishing with diabetes.

You’ll learn how our treatment approach for people living with diabetes evolved. How it’s aimed at coping rather than flourishing. Why you can’t control your blood sugar. What you can do instead to better manage your numbers. And why you’re responsible for your effort, but not your outcome.

If you live with diabetes it’s time you took yourself off the hook. If you’re a health professional, you’ll see you need never put your patients on one.

“I just thought your presentation was absolutely wonderful, and I think everybody, everywhere, needs to watch it. Not just PWD, but family members and medical professionals. Your insights give a wonderful and positive perspective on something that’s a serious topic.” Anne Dalin, Type 2

To find out why controlling blood sugar is a myth, check out my recent articles in Diabetes Sisters’ newsletter and diaTribe.

Drs Edelman and Pettus share important information about glucagon from its early days up to the much easier remedies that came out a few years ago. What’s exciting for me is at the end, hopeful news about glucagon mini dosing so you don’t have to eat everything in the fridge when you have a low.