And so concludes National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM) in the midst of a pandemic…

Staying home as COVID-19 rages on has given me much time to ponder the juxtaposition of how I used to feel about November in the early days of my own diabetes advocacy journey (rah! rah!), versus the ambivalence I feel lately. Perhaps the pandemic and our general societal burnout plays a role. Perhaps I’m just not as into diabetes advocacy anymore because it is not as new, and after almost 30 years of diabetes, I am sick of hearing about diabetes. But, mostly, it boils down to the very fine line we straddle during November: how we want others to learn more about the seriousness of diabetes, but we shouldn’t want anyone speaking on behalf of anyone else- whether the speaker has diabetes or not. I appreciate well-intentioned friends who want the world to be better for me and all people with diabetes. However, I never want November to be a pity party on my behalf. So this year, I didn’t say much.

The best advocacy I encountered this month was from diabetes families and individuals who have endured more than anyone should ever have to: rationing due to insulin pricing, premature complications and deaths, major life choices affected by the cruel burdens- financially, physically, emotionally- which diabetes constantly brings to the forefront, and much more. I wish none of these factors hurt us, but the reality is that these stories from the source are the most telling from November, or any other day in the life with diabetes. So, thank you to those who bravely advocated this month. You said it all far better than I could have, and during a life-altering pandemic, nonetheless. May your words reach those who especially need to hear them, and may more good change come for people with diabetes because of you.