As I listen to, talk with and learn from the diabetes community, I’ve had the privilege of hearing your inspiring and moving stories. You so openly share your challenges and your successes. This has inspired me, and today, I’d like to start featuring some of the special people I’ve been encountering along the way. We’re kicking off this series with Brandy Barnes of DiabetesSisters.

I recently experienced one of those moments that made me realize my little girl is growing up. Don’t get me wrong, she’s only four years old. But she was having her first sleep-over at her grandparents’ house, sans parents.

As you may recall, the American Diabetes Association kicked off its “Join the Million Challenge” on March 22. As the Challenge wrapped up, I connected with Beth Mayer-Davis, MSPH, PhD, RD, president, health care and education for the American Diabetes Association to ask her how the Challenge went. See what she had to say in this post.

Recent years have been pretty rough in terms of emergency situations…blizzards and black-outs across the U.S., Katrina and oil spills in the gulf, floods in the Midwest, mudslides in California, the earthquake in Japan, and, most recently, the damaging storms and tornados across the South. It got me thinking about the extra effort that might be required of a person with diabetes…

Cinco de Mayo is more than just a good excuse to visit your favorite Mexican restaurant. Although not technically a U.S. holiday, the fifth of May is celebrated by the Mexican community across the U.S. as a day of heritage and pride.

As a mom, and the proud wife of a stay-at-home-dad, I know that juggling life with children is a full-time job! That’s why this Mother’s Day I want to give a special “shout out” to two groups of moms: moms living with diabetes and moms who are caregivers to children living with diabetes.