[Diabetes-talk] 3 Key Words: Diabetes - Action - Network

[Everett Gavel]

Hi Mike, and All,

Congratulations to all within the Diabetes Action 
Netowrk who were both newly elected and re-elected at 
this summer's annual NFB convention.  Dallas was great. 
Anyone here go on that tandem cycling ride?  I did and 
recommend getting in early next year if the Sports & 
Rec division has one in Orlando.  ;-)

I look forward to a productive year of change!  Among 
the blind and throughout the Diabetes community. 
"Changing what it means to be a blind diabetic," isn't 
that it?  Something like that, anyway, right? ;-)

And yes, Wanda is from Ohio, and is the DAN President. 
That's my affiliate.  Congratulations, Wanda.  Now 
let's go and do great things -- both across Ohio and 
across the nation!  ;-)

We are all part of an ACTION network, made up of 3 key 
words, 3 meaningful words that help us to remember what 
we are to do, and working to achieve.  Diabetes is our 
focus.  Action is what we are all about.  And 
networking is how we are to achieve success!  We are a 
network of caring, helpful, informed individuals on the 
intertwined subjects of diabetes and blindness.

I remember all too well the feeling of helplessness on 
several levels that I felt, upon losing my sight. 
Losing my sight due to Diabetic Retinopathy.  At the 
time I knew nothing about blindness.  There are many, 
many out there who are still fairly clueless thus far, 
about their situation.  They've lost sight or will lose 
their sight, due to diabetes.  Organizations do not 
generally share information, seems to me.  'Privacy 
issues' and blah blah blah.  So many people remain 
clueless, until they hear something from a neighbor or 
a friend.  We are the neighbors.  We can be the 
friends.

We no longer have the Voice of the Diabetic being 
published in print and distributed by the tens of 
thousands -- and even hundreds of thousands -- around 
the country, to help us help others.  That was a great 
marketing tool, as well as of course being a great 
educational tool.  But the Voice is no longer there to 
help us market the organization.  We need to focus on 
the "Network" part of our name.  We need to get out 
more into our local communities and let our neighbors 
know the Diabetes Action Network is out there for them. 
Action!  Diabetes Action!  We ARE the Network.

So, what have any of us done in the past few months to 
get the word out in our communities?  Anyone care to 
share?  To help inspire the rest of us?  Even if you 
haven't acted upon it, do you have a thought on things 
you'd like to do or have someone do, to help?  Please, 
share your ideas and inspiration.  We are the Diabetes 
Action Network.  Let's get networking.  Let's take 
action!  Go tell your doctor's office about the DAN. 
Go tell the local American Diabetes Association 
leaders.  Go tell your hospital Diabetes support group! 
Go tell the folks at your town's Senior center.  Or 
maybe even pay $10 once a month to put one ad, one day 
per month, in your local newspaper classifieds section 
talking about diabetes and blindness -- and remaining 
independent.

And then, please, always share your thoughts and 
actions and plans here with the rest of your Network, 
so we can continue helping eachother to help others in 
our communities.

The Diabetes Action Network.  The name of our 
organization is great.  Let's continue making the 
organization itself great, and useful, too!  I am 
honored to be a part of this organization.  I've 
enjoyed reading the messages over the years.  This list 
itself is a great resource and a great part of the 
Network.  I thank you for it.


Strive On--and May God Bless Our Efforts Mightily!

Everett
With the DAN of Ohio (but currently a student at the 
LCB)
everett at everettgavel.com


----- Original Message ----- 
> AT the business meeting of the Diabetes Action 
> Network of the National
> Federation of the Blind held on the afternoon of 
> Monday, July 5 at the NFB
> convention in Dallas, the following officers and 
> Board of Directors were
> elected:
>
> Mike Freeman, President
> Bernadette Jacobs, First Vice-president
> Minnie Walker, Second Vice-president
> Diane Filipe, Secretary
> Joy Stigile, Treasurer
> Vincent Chaney, Board Member
> Mindy Jacobson, Board Member
> Wanda Sloan, Board Member
>
> Congratulations to all and an especially hearty 
> welcome to the new DAN Board
> members. Mindy Jacobson is from new York and is the 
> wife of the NFB of New
> York's President, Carl Jacobson;Mindy is the 
> President of the DAN affiliate
> in New York. Wanda Sloan is from Ohio and, if I am 
> not mistaken, is
> President of the DAN affiliate in Ohio.
>
> Mike Freeman
>