Mwah ha hahaha. We young adults are taking over the world!
Oh, sorry, wait.
Seriously, Jody particulary (who posted earlier), and everyone else--I've not found a group who shared my age or issues, or with whom I felt comfortable asking questions such as those I've asked in other forum posts. This is a wonderful site, and I'm sooooo glad it's here, and that everyone here is here, too.
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Ana, that's funny. I am glad you feel that way about this site so early in the game. It means a lot. I hope you will like it here and hope you all contribute regularly!
I think this website is great! I am 23 years old and have been a type 1 for almost 4 years. I work for JDRF and we are always trying to think of more ways to get young adults and teens involved in our programming, because lets face it - diabetes doesnt stop when you leave childhood.
I am so exicted about this new website and I think it will be great to connect with other young adults out there that are going through the same issues and problems as me.
I would love to chat with you all and learn more about you! And if anyone lives in the Northern NJ/ Rockland County area, let me know - I would love for you to get involved with our chapter at JDRF!
Rosie- Yep, I'm an ODST volunteer also, and love it! How old is your granddaughter?.... 12 kids? the idea of 2 scares me! Maybe this is more appropriate for the pregnancy forum, but since you asked- my (first?) pregnancy was a LOT of work, like another job. A lot, lot of work- testin 12-15 times daily, eating very boring and on scheduled and tons and tons of doctor appointments. But- not anywhere near as scary as I'd always feared. Or hard for that matter- if you can differentiate b/t hard and a lot of work (vigilance is a good word perhaps). And the pregnancy went very smoothly, until my son was born 6 weeks early with very little notice. But-healthy. He spent 10 days in the NICU as one of the healthiest there and came home in perfect shape and has been amazing ever since. If you want more details, let me know (I'm trying to spare all those not interested).
And to Joe- you are not the only one to feel "forgotten" when being a "grown up" juvenile diabetic. I know someone who refers to us as "the lost generation."
So glad to "meet" everyone and know there are many of us here! And apparently I need to figure out how to get a little pic of myself...
Well…when it comes to age I have you all beat, yes including you Rosie, however don’t think for one minute I will reveal it here.
As a long time JDRF volunteer and moderator on the ODST I am thrilled juvenation has come into being, and I agree with all of you it is about time and as far as participation…the more the merrier.
Brad, I couldn't agree more....Being in your 30's with a "juvenile" disease. It doesn't feel juvenile (didn't when I was 5 years old either). You mature early with this thing.
Regarding the term "lost generation" (posted earlier), that too is also appropriate. This kind of site is the best way to be rid of that and to give us Adult Type 1's a place to commiserate.....
Hey all! 27 year old T1 diabetic here. I am so absolutely excited to be on this site. I can't wait to share experiences and learn from you all. You don't know how long I have been looking for other T1 adults to talk to!
I'm 27 - I thought I was a young adult! 13-19 y/o's are teenagers! lol
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Ditto Payton! I would agree that 13-19 year olds are teenagers.
I thought I was a young adult also and I'm 26. I've had diabetes since I was 8 and I agree that I'm starting to feel "left out" when people call it "juvenile" diabetes. By God's grace I lived into my adulthood but guess what? I'm still a Type 1 diabetic. So is JDRF still for me? Are they still behind me, supporting me? Trying to find a cure for me? Or am I too old now? Oh well, I'm really enjoying this site and I'm glad to have found a place where people like me (adults with Type 1) can share their experiences and even help the kids and teenagers out there with Type 1.
I know how you feel Layne, it is difficult trying to find a place for yourself as a young adult in a type 1 community when the support is centered around children. I am trying so hard to set up a support group or even just a group that wants to meet and get coffee/drinks/dinner for my chapter for people OUR AGE. This disease doesnt stop when you hit 21, in fact at times it may get even harder. If anyone lives around the NY/NJ area and wants to get involved and help out - PLEASE let me know :)
Plus, I would love to have some diabetic friends. Working at JDRF, most of the people I have met are children and their parents!
Well I really feel old now.... I'm 48 but have had diabetes since I was 12. I've pretty much "been there, done that" with this disease but I'm still going strong!
If someone asks then I refer to myself as a Type 1 diabetic. Although that usually is followed by 'oh you mean juvenile diabetes? Thats the BAD one isn't it?'
Um do any of you know of a good kind of diabetes!!??
Jennifer- we should be in touch, I saw on the other thread you said Bergen county. If you want to come to CT, we've been having dinners in Fairfield county. Also, Allison mentioned Hoboken...
I am trying so hard to set up a support group or even just a group that wants to meet and get coffee/drinks/dinner for my chapter for people OUR AGE.
Plus, I would love to have some diabetic friends. Working at JDRF, most of the people I have met are children and their parents!
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Wow, Jennifer, that sounds great. I have been thinking about becoming more active in my local chapters of ADA or JDRF. I could decide which one, though, because I'm not sure if I belong with JDRF (is it just for kids?) but at the same time I don't feel connected with ADA either. I would love to start a group in my area. How are you doing it? I was thinking of using the website Meetup.com and seeing who bites. Was your local chapter of JDRF supportive of you starting a "young adults group" for type 1's? I'd love to hear any advice. :-)
Rachel - I am actually going to be in CT tonight at Mohegan Sun for a girls weekend with some friends. Otherwise, I am never there - but if we plan something, I would love to come up and meet everyone!
Layne -
When I was diagnosed 4 years ago, I desperately needed some type of support and community to help me deal with my disease. I was so excited to find JDRF and I immediately jumped right into the Walks and fundraising. It really did help me alot because it showed how much people cared about me and wanted to help me find a cure - both friends, family and people I had never met.
The one thing that I always found lacking within our JDRF chapter here in New Jersey, however, is the lack of support for people our age. That being said, JDRF is deff NOT just for kids. As a young adult active in my chapter here, I know that there is a desire and a need for people our age to come together, talk about what we are going through and help each other deal with it. We have been trying to get something off the ground here for young adults, but its a difficult age bracket to break into because, generally speaking, we are all very busy.
My chapter thinks its a great idea to start something for people our age. We could even just do monthly dinners or something like that. Meet at a restaurant somewhere in NJ/NY area. I don't know. I know that I need something like this. I am doing well and my numbers are generally OK, but I have found that even though I have only been on the pump for a year, it is very easy to get lazy with it. I have gained a bit of weight, because its easier to just eat whatever and do whatever you want on it - at least I think so. I have alot of friends and they care, but they really don't understand. You can explain the logistics of diabetes to anyone, but will they really get it? It is something that we can't escape, even if they understand the math involved and what to do if we get low, do they really know how we feel. I dont think so.
I had no idea there was an intended age. Reading the posts, I just assumed that everyone was my age (30)! I definitely don't feel (or sadly, look) like a teen or young adult but I'm not an old hag either.
And that's right - many of us have already been through the dredges of the teenage/younger years with diabetes and can offer support.
Though when I was a teen, I thought 30 was ancient and probably wouldn't have listened to the lame old people. ;-)
Hi! I'm 26, and I am totally a young adult! And I will be until the day I die! I was pretty excited when I saw the announcement for this site on Facebook. Many other sites include type II diabetics, and while that can be cool, it's always been important to me to talk to other type I diabetics. And living where I do, there aren't many. I have gotten so frustrated because, even though we have a large diabetes/endocrynology center, we have no support group in Macon, GA where I currently live. I never really understood that. So at least now I have a place I can discuss things online. I'm excited!
I guess I'll throw another wrench in... I'm a 36 yo Type 1, but I was just diagnosed two years ago. Went in for a yearly physical, and they happened to check my glucose (luckily!) which was at over 300 fasting, (and an A1c of 14) and I was shedding ketones like crazy. 0.o I'm doing much, much better now though. Phew! :-)