October ushered its way in loud and clear with much cooler temperatures.  Although I am not a fan of cold weather, snow, or anything related to coldness...I do have a certain fondness for the "forbidden holiday" known as Halloween!  Those who were diagnosed with diabetes at a young age probably recall the parental anxiety of the sugary sweet holiday known as HALLOWEEN!

I was diagnosed at the age of 15, so I was sort of in the "in-between stage" of being under my parents roof but also being mature enough to make certain decisions on my own.  My parents never deterred me from celebrating Halloween or from eating candy at Halloween. In fact, because my family is full of practical jokers, Halloween was always a lot of fun at my house-- whether we were rolling an unsuspecting family member's house with toilet paper or seeing who could dress up in the most outrageous costume, every Halloween lots of laughs around our house!  That's probably why it remains one of my absolute favorite holidays!  Now I have some big shoes to fill in order to keep up the family  tradition with my daughter! One important lesson learned: Candy doesn't have to be the focus of Halloween. There are many other ways to make this holiday fun and memorable!  Don't get me wrong-- I still have memories of me and my sister dividing our candy into piles and striking deals with each other for our favorite candy.  But, those stories never make it to the cutting board when sharing Halloween stories at family gatherings.  The hilarious tricks, insane costumes, and scaring each other to death remain some of the best stories!

This Halloween, I challenge you to focus on the fun memories you can make rather than focusing on the candy that you shouldn't/can't/won't be eating! You might be surprised what creative costumes or frightening pranks your creative mind can come up with.

Founder/CEO of DiabetesSisters

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  Greetings Diabetes Sisters. It's an honor to be selected as "A Woman of Inspiration" and share my diabetes story.

  I have had Type 1 diabetes for 36 years. When I was diagnosed, I was in college. From all that I had read at the time about (inevitable) complications, I was sure that I would be blind after ten years with diabetes. After ten years went by, I had no signs of retinopathy. So, I was even more certain that after twenty years I would definitely lose my sight. Well, after twenty years with no damage to my eyes, I STOPPED WORRYING. What did I learn from that? I learned that complications are not inevitable - even after decades with diabetes. I wasted a lot of time and energy worrying about a negative event - in the future - that never happened. As a clinical psychologist and Certified Diabetes Educator, I teach my patients with diabetes to focus on the "here and now". Let's pay attention to the "what is" now and not worry about the "what if's" in the future. When I see my ophthalmologist, for my annual dilated eye exam, and he reassures me that my "eyes are beautiful" and all is well, his words bring a sparkle to my eyes!

  I found the web site for DiabetesSisters.org by lucky chance. I was online searching for "women with diabetes" as I was doing research for my soon-to-be-published book: "MY SWEET LIFE: Successful Women with Diabetes." I was thrilled to find this web site and I loved it from the beginning! It also served as validation for me that this is the right time for me to publish my book! When I was diagnosed so many years ago, I didn't know another person (man or woman) with diabetes. Of course, there was no resource available like this, 36 years ago for me. I remember randomly meeting another woman, once, in a ladies restroom, who had her insulin bottle and syringe with her and was taking her shot before her meal. I was so excited to meet another woman just like me! I felt that same excitement when I looked around DiabetesSisters - women with diabetes, just like me! It's the most wonderful feeling not to feel alone anymore. Brandy Barnes, CEO/Founder, is amazing to have set up this web site! I love being a part of this Sisterhood! It gives one such a sense of belonging. It's great!

  Rather than seeing my diabetes as an obstacle in life, diabetes has been a blessing in my life. I take care of myself (not always perfectly) but well enough that I don't have any complications after all this time. I have never allowed my diabetes to interfere with leading a "normal" life - I've travelled, I'm very happy in my career and best of all - I have two wonderful children! I specialize in treating patients with diabetes in my private practice. There is an immediate bond which I share with my patients as I can be a role model for them: I not only "talk the talk, but I walk the walk." I understand the demands of diabetes as well as life stresses. I think many women do not place enough importance on taking care of themselves. Believe me, before we can take care of our families and/or career responsibilities, we have to recognize that taking care of ourselves is the number one priority.       We are worth it!

I wish you all the best for today and always, my Diabetes Sisters. Take care, Dr. Bev

Check out more from Dr. Bev at www.AskDrBev.com!

• 2011 SAN DIEGO, CA CONFERENCE:

  Join DiabetesSisters and Behavioral Diabetes Institute in San Diego, CA for the Weekend for Women Conference on October 7 - 9, 2011;

+ We have a packed Agenda full of full social and educational activities.   Register TODAY--there are a couple of spots left!

+  Reserve your room at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel using the Conference group rate.  Staying at the hotel is part of taking a weekend away from family and other obligations!  

• 2012 RALEIGH, NC CONFERENCE: Mark your calendars the 2012 Weekend for Women Conference in Raleigh, NC on May 18 - 20, 2012. Please email us to let us know if you are interested in your spouse/partner attending our "Partner's Perspective Program" during the conference.