Advocates, Coaches and Mentors - Oh My!

It is official!


I completed my   New Family Mentor Training!  Now I am officially an Advocate, Family Team Coach and a New Family Mentor. 


And I am feeling like the luckiest lady around.


From the JDRF website,

"Whether newly diagnosed or living with diabetes for many years, individuals and families coping with the challenges of type 1 diabetes can often use support.  The JDRF Mentor Program matches those needing support with a mentor who has been specially trained to be available and supportive.  JDRF mentors have been living with type 1 diabetes for some time and are voices of experience and hope for those living with type 1 diabetes."


What the above paragraph doesn't explain is how becoming the point person of response actually affects the trained Mentor.

For me, it is part of the circle of giving and advocating.  Just as my friends around the DOC have helped myself and the Naturally Sweet Sisters, I in turn, want to pay it forward and give back some of that same kindness.  Whether it is a phone call, an email or meeting to share a cup of coffee, just to let newly diagnosed families feel a moment of kinship and that no one is alone and yes, there are others that really do understand the life of type 1 diabetes.

As hard as it may seem in the beginnning, we are all in this together and are here to support each other along the way!

And I am sure feeling like lucky one today.  What a gift to be able to give back.