Peer to Peer Support T1D Perspective

@grumpy_pumper www.the-grumpy-pumper.com

A life of Peer Support As Babies (Mums that do lunch) At Play (fun with lots of dribbling) At School (transitioning to teenagers & gaining your O’levels) At work (Induction, team and paper jams) At diagnosis???????

About Grumps Family History of T1D (but I didn’t know it was compulsory) Diagnosed aged 23 (1994 - Like in the dark ages..) Not Dramatic No internet (OMG how did we live) Diabetes UK (British Diabetes Association) only resource Not in the press (or was it and I just didn’t notice) 1 week in hospital (don’t get admitted on a bank holiday) Then off I went (in my slippers….)

The Next 15 Years Twice Daily via syringe (Monitor not Manage) T1D at work (The lesser spotted peer) T1D at Home (The Uncle-in-Law) Moved to Pen (I just wanted a pen!…..) Grump went on a pump (I can’t think of anything to put in these Brackets) Sports Weekend (Yes. Me. At a sports type thing)

Being Grumpy Joined Twitter Lurked Learned Messed about (A. LOT.)

Why do it? Motivation (Keeps me engaged with my Diabetes) To put a smile on people's faces (Ironic I know. Right?) “About to head off to clinic with my T1D daughter and both dreading it. We saw you meme and it made us laugh. Thank-you)” “If you can eat what you eat, and drink what you drink, and have the A1c you have, then there is hope for me too” This is not clinical advice! Ever!

Where to do it? Online (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) Blogs (Its all out there, somewhere…) Talks (Not everyone is online) Events (Organisations, Hospitals, Meet-ups, etc) Brief Encounters (Bloke at the bar. Bloke at the printer)

What it means to me Supported Motivated One of the most important tools in my Diabetes management kit The most important non clinical resource I have

How to do it? Be Supportive Be Respectful Be Yourself! Oh, and by the way, you are doing it already!

What it is not It's not just a hashtag (hashtags are the online pub where we meet to chat) It’s not just about flat lines (post the highs and the lows. We all have them) It's not just for pump wearers (we all manage our diabetes, our way, and thats how it should be) It’s not just online (the community is huge. Just find the one you feel most comfortable in) It’s not owned by anyone (we are all part of our community)

The End Live Long & Bolus