Speculation that Paula Deen will announce her diagnosis with type 2 diabetes has fueled all sorts of snide, judgmental comments about Deen herself and those with diabetes.

When I logged onto Facebook on Sunday I saw a headline from BlogHer that read:

Paula Deen’s Got “The Sugah Diabeetus”

Cue eye roll.

But instead of crying foul, which is so easy to do when you see a headline that places judgment on people with diabetes through the use of stereotypes, I wrote the following comment:

I’m more critical of people who say “The Sugah Diabeetus” than people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My child has type 1 diabetes, which has no known cause and no cure, and people flinging around stereotypes such as that phrase do a great disservice to those of us trying to educate and advocate. While type 2 diabetes can sometimes be controlled by a change in diet and exercise, poor diet and lack of exercise aren’t always the cause. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that can in no way be prevented. Since the two types are often lumped together, my daughter faces a lifetime of biased and unfounded stereotypes.

You know what usually happens when ones of us tries to inform and educate on Facebook or on a non-diabetes blog…a bunch of uninformed people make accusations against us in the comments, telling us to lighten up. (Cue nasty comments from readers defending The Blogess.)

But that’s not what happened on Sunday.

If you actually read the post on BlogHer by Red Dirt Kelly, it’s not against Paula Deen at all, but rather about people who are insensitive on Twitter.

So if I’m not sounding the battle cry against BlogHer or Kelly, why am I telling you about it?

Because the comments on Facebook were supportive and not judgmental. Because Kelly explained that putting “The Sugah Diabeetus” in quotation marks was her trying to quote the yahoos on Twitter, not her opinion, and admitted that maybe that wasn’t obvious. She even added a clarification note on her post. And because BlogHer responded to me on Twitter with appreciation.

Ironically, I used a Paula Deen recipe on Christmas morning. It’s the first time I’ve used one of her recipes. I modified it because it was a little over the top and carb-laden. I am planning on sharing my version of her recipe close to Easter because I think I will make it on holiday mornings.

If Paula does in deed announce a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, maybe I can give her some tips on reducing the carbs in her recipes while still maintaining her Southern style.

Further Reading

We All Scream (at Wendell Fowler) for Ice Cream

Kelly of Diabetesaliciousness: Paula Deen – If You Need Us, The Diabetes On-Line Community Has Your Back!

*Image courtesy of The Food Network

Paula Deen Might Be T2…and Not Slinging Insults is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

One of the ideas that I stress in Kids First, Diabetes Second is that sometimes you just have to take diabetes one blood sugar check at a time. But it’s good to also look at the larger picture and live your diabetes life with greater intention.

On Facebook I asked friends to tell me their diabetes word for 2012. I love the answers:

Cure

Patience

Diligence

Strength

Balance

Perseverance

Hope

Cure

Faith

Courage

Understanding

Advocacy

Education

Action

Thankful

Inspiration

Espoir (Hope)

Support

Acceptance

Intentional

Community

Smarter

Consistent

Live

Determination

Control

&@$#!

What is your diabetes word for 2012? Do any of these speak to you?

(The graphic above is a free printable I found online. You can download it in several color schemes at Love from the Oven.)

Your Diabetes Word for 2012 is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

If you said that in a Richard Dawson voice, you’re as old as I am!

Please take a moment this week to fill out this quick survey about what you like/don’t like about D-Mom Blog.

It’s totally anonymous and I want your constructive criticism to improve the site, but remember what your mom always said: If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Thanks!!

Survey Says! is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Happy Everything! is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Allison of Lemonade Life asked readers this week to answer a few questions about how they interact with her blog and it reminded me that it’s been a while since I have asked you.

If you wouldn’t mind taking a minute or two, I would love for you to answer a few simple questions about your experience with D-Mom Blog.

It’s totally anonymous and I want your constructive criticism to improve the site, but remember what your mom always said: If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

I will leave the survey up until the end of 2011. Posting will be a little light between now and then as I celebrate the holidays with family and spend an incredible amount of time working on Kids First, Diabetes Second and developing new content for D-Mom Blog for 2012.

Thank you…and happy holidays!

Your Opinion Matters is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

I wanted to quickly point out a new sponsor of D-Mom Blog. You may have noticed the new ad in the sidebar for Myabetic. See it over there –>

Myabetic was founded by Kyrra Richards, a professional dancer and teacher who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007. She says that “Myabetic was born to promote a positive attitude and healthy lifestyle.”

In addition to diabetes testing cases for adults, they have two specifically for children: The Love Bug, which looks like a heart when closed and a butterfly when open, and Champ, which looks like a locker when closed and has a sports theme when open.

Discount: Use coupon code DMOM for 10% off your purchase.

Thanks to our current sponsors. If your d-company is interested in advertising, please use the contact form for more information.

Disclosure: This company advertises on the D-Mom Blog, but did not ask me to write this post. Opinions are always my own. Please read the disclosure statement.

{Sponsor Spotlight} Myabetic is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Last week I shared two videos of Jay Cutler. This week I have two similar videos of Nick Jonas, both his PSA for the American Diabetes Association’s Stop Diabetes campaign and his interview with Larry King.

(Email and feed subscribers click over for embedded videos.)

Further Reading

Who She Is (Makes me cry EVERY time!)

Chatting with Celeb D-Mom Denise Jonas

More posts about Nick Jonas

More YouTube Tuesday videos

{YouTube Tuesday} Nick Jonas is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Taking a cue* from my friend George, AKA the Ninjabetic, I am sharing a YouTube video today featuring Jay Cutler as interviewed by Larry King. When you finish watching, click over and view George’s 100th You Tube Tuesday video. Oh Charlie!

(E-mail and feed subscribers click over for embedded videos.)

*Total Freudian slip. I accidentally wrote “Taking a cure from my friend George…”

{YouTube Tuesday} Jay Cutler is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

My kids love playing the Cake Doodle app on the iPad and iPhone. And the cakes they bake have no carbs! Though we might have to stop and get some real cupcakes to celebrate the day.

How will your family celebrate World Diabetes Day?

Further Reading

World Diabetes Day (official site)

All World Diabetes Day posts on D-Mom Blog

More Diabetes Awareness Month posts

{Diabetes Awareness Month} Happy World Diabetes Day is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

We decided to have both an international penpal plus one in the US. Our postcards will be going to Pennsylvania and Romania!

To give Q an idea of where Romania is, I told her it’s even further than France, which amazed her.

I set out a bunch of scrapbooking supplies and let Q do a little brainstorming for the postcards she would be sending. She loves a good craft project.

Here is what Q came up with. I helped a little with the execution (I cut the card to the right size and drew a circle), but it was largely her work:

Her penpal's name starts with "A" so that's why she wrote "Q&A." The card was very sparkly!

I love the optimism in the last sentence. (I removed some of the details here.)

Further Reading

World Diabetes Day Postcard Exchange (the official post with all the details)

World Diabetes Day (official site)

Diabetes Art Day 2011 Gallery

My Diabetes Art Day 2011 Post

All World Diabetes Day posts on D-Mom Blog

{Diabetes Awareness Month} Postcard Exchange is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.