I have found myself recently wishing I could do more — get more involved with local diabetes awareness efforts. I have been actively volunteering with my local JDRF chapter for many many years. I have been walking in the Walk to Cure Diabetes for 20 years now. And for several years, I have co-chaired the Logistics team for the walk. I started out just going to the walk. Then I started raising money. Then I joined the Logistics committee on the food team. Then I was chairing the food committee. Then I co-chaired the walk, one year I ran the whole shabang on my own (under the direction of the JDRF office staff, of course) By now we are a very well oiled machine because we have an awesome team of volunteers that keep coming back every year 
But now I’m at a crossroads where I want to do even more. I went to Austin’s JDRF chapter’s Type 1 Now conference a couple of months ago. And I keep reading/hearing about others in the DOC that are attending different JDRF and ADA conferences/expos, etc. But then I am finding that there is not much going on here locally. I live in a large metroplex, too, so I’m kind of surprised (disappointed) by that. I had a meeting with our Outreach Director a few weeks ago, and she is also a T1 so we are working on putting a few things together soon.
I am not even sure what I want to do — but I just know I want to do something. Whether it’s volunteer to help at different events (problem goes back to the non-local events) or potentially find a paid position doing something … I don’t know. But if anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.
I would also love to give my opinions on products, services, etc. I have always used whatever products my dr has given me – without questioning anything. I’ve never actually gone with a meter because that’s the one I wanted to use. I have been happy with the one I have always used, but how do I know if there’s not a better one? I have recently heard about a new one, and a new lancet device that I really want to try. But I just sent off for my 3 month refill on test strips. So I need to wait until that is finished to look into it.
So if anyone has any suggestions on how to move further down this path … my eager ears/eyes await. Thanks in advance!
