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January HABC: 3 Fortune Cookies
Jan 4th
Like last year, we will have a monthly Health Activist Blog Carnival where members of our community can submit their entries on a theme-specific topic. Going with our January theme month is New Year, New You: Setting Health Activism Goals, our HABC topic is: "3 Fortune Cookies."
There are a few things that make a fortune cookie so great. First: it's a bonus for after a delicious meal (who doesn't like free bonuses?). Second: the awesome crunch sound as you break them open and pull out the tiny slip of paper containing the surprise and mystery: "what will it say?" you wonder. Third: Reading the fortune and mentally applying it to your life. Fourth: Eating that cookie (or, if you're not a fan - giving the cookie to a friend).
Let's replicate that process in our Blog Carnival! Pretend you're writing the slips of paper to yourself or your health community - what do you think (or hope) the future holds? You can use a favorite quote if you'd prefer - and explain how that quote can act as your fortune. If you're a fan of Dove chocolates and would prefer to write a command (Do this in 2011, self! Always remember this, community!) that's also an option. And, if you are like I am and enjoy the facts on the inside of Snapple caps - you can use a fact to guide your 3 fortunes. Then, once you're done - you should treat yourself to a cookie (proverbially or in real life).
There are a few things that make a fortune cookie so great. First: it's a bonus for after a delicious meal (who doesn't like free bonuses?). Second: the awesome crunch sound as you break them open and pull out the tiny slip of paper containing the surprise and mystery: "what will it say?" you wonder. Third: Reading the fortune and mentally applying it to your life. Fourth: Eating that cookie (or, if you're not a fan - giving the cookie to a friend).
Let's replicate that process in our Blog Carnival! Pretend you're writing the slips of paper to yourself or your health community - what do you think (or hope) the future holds? You can use a favorite quote if you'd prefer - and explain how that quote can act as your fortune. If you're a fan of Dove chocolates and would prefer to write a command (Do this in 2011, self! Always remember this, community!) that's also an option. And, if you are like I am and enjoy the facts on the inside of Snapple caps - you can use a fact to guide your 3 fortunes. Then, once you're done - you should treat yourself to a cookie (proverbially or in real life).Once you've written your 3 fortunes for 2011 - share a link in the comments section of this discussion in the Community's Health Bloggers Group. We will check back in here at the end of the month and share some of the most creative or inspiring fortunes.
So welcome again to the new year, our new WEGOblog, and your "new you." Together we're going to get all set up for a great year - we'll organize, plan, scheme, and more. If you have your party hat left over from the weekend - now would be a great time to put it back on.December Blog Carnival Recap: Your Top 10 of 2010
Jan 4th
Last year (well, last month!) we asked you what 10 things you liked best about 2010 and you reported back with awesome recaps. You reminded us of your best posts, big milestones, and favorites from your past year in Health Activism.
Check out a few highlights:
Kelly remembered this milestone fondly: "1) American College of Rheumatology Scientific Meeting. Attending the weeklong meeting in Atlanta was a milestone for me, for my blog, and for the RA community. This was the first time a patient attended the meetings as press. However, the week itself was also full of milestones that I cannot easily summarize. There was one special blog post to describe how it affected my perspective: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting 2010 and a little video telling the highlights: Video: Thoughts from American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010."
Janeen's #2 of 2010 was: "2. All of the wonderful and moving videos from the Food Allergy Initiative : There is no better way to get your point across than with a moving video that shows everything you are feeling. These videos are truly valuable. So is all the work that FAI does to try to find a cure."
Amy was proud of "1. The creation of the Mental Health and Social Media Chat on Twitter. (#mhsm) In the beginning of February of 2010, (February 9, 2010 to be exact) I launched, in a solo effort, the #mhsm chat on Twitter. It has continued on every Tuesday evening, now at 9pm Eastern (with only one exception) since. The community has grown and been a great source of conversation, brainstorming, and awareness efforts."
One of Ellen's favorite blog posts of 2010 was "A physician's 10 commandments Written from the patient's perspective, this generated quite a few conversations."
The Sanford Burham science blog recapped their most popular posts here.
And if you missed it - #10 on our WEGO Health Top 10 of 2010 was actually the Health Activist Blog Carnival! If that's not a meta way to wrap up this post, I don't know what is!
Thanks to everyone who submitted and to everyone who looked back over 2010 and saw awesome feats of Health Activism!
Check out a few highlights:
Kelly remembered this milestone fondly: "1) American College of Rheumatology Scientific Meeting. Attending the weeklong meeting in Atlanta was a milestone for me, for my blog, and for the RA community. This was the first time a patient attended the meetings as press. However, the week itself was also full of milestones that I cannot easily summarize. There was one special blog post to describe how it affected my perspective: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting 2010 and a little video telling the highlights: Video: Thoughts from American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010."
Janeen's #2 of 2010 was: "2. All of the wonderful and moving videos from the Food Allergy Initiative : There is no better way to get your point across than with a moving video that shows everything you are feeling. These videos are truly valuable. So is all the work that FAI does to try to find a cure."
Amy was proud of "1. The creation of the Mental Health and Social Media Chat on Twitter. (#mhsm) In the beginning of February of 2010, (February 9, 2010 to be exact) I launched, in a solo effort, the #mhsm chat on Twitter. It has continued on every Tuesday evening, now at 9pm Eastern (with only one exception) since. The community has grown and been a great source of conversation, brainstorming, and awareness efforts."
One of Ellen's favorite blog posts of 2010 was "A physician's 10 commandments Written from the patient's perspective, this generated quite a few conversations."
The Sanford Burham science blog recapped their most popular posts here.
And if you missed it - #10 on our WEGO Health Top 10 of 2010 was actually the Health Activist Blog Carnival! If that's not a meta way to wrap up this post, I don't know what is!
Thanks to everyone who submitted and to everyone who looked back over 2010 and saw awesome feats of Health Activism!
New Year, New You: Setting Health Activism Goals
Jan 3rd
Welcome to 2011, it’s going to be the best year of Health Activism yet! (And that’s a pretty bold statement considering how amazing 2010 was.) I hope you will consider this very blog post your introduction to the new and improved WEGOblog. Please make yourself at home, take off your coat, stay awhile – we have an exciting array of posts to offer you this year. There will be a variety of: in-house entertainment, take-aways, activities, information, media, and more. We catch up on new trends and create some of our own. There will be both familiar faces and new ones. New friendships will be formed and new ideas will be generated.
The first offering made by our WEGOblog (we will share it, you and I) is that each month will have its own theme! You can think of it like a month-long theme party but without the time-intensive legwork involved in preparing the perfect costume (and sadly, without the delicious refreshments). Come as you are - the theme is guaranteed to be both fun and relevant to your Health Activism journey - no matter if you're brand new to the game or a seasoned veteran. There will be lots to think about and the theme itself is something you can feel free to take back to your own communities as a way to engage your readers, members, and friends each and every month!
In honor of January and its implicit opportunity for new beginnings (whether theoretical or actual), our very first theme-month is aptly named “New Year, New You: Setting Health Activism Goals.” We will celebrate what is best about you and your community (don't take the phrase "new you" too literally - we like you just as you are) and make it even better. We will plan together, brainstorm, analyze, dream (it's January - sky's the limit on our 2011s!), and spend some time mapping our impending years in Health Activism. Hopefully the holidays have you refreshed and open-minded for the brand new year - it's going to be awesome.
So be sure to look to this WEGOblog for all things Health Activism and check back often - we'll be updating good and often!
Right now - why not share your resolutions in the comments? If you've written about 2011 or what you've got planned in your blog or community - let us know we'd love to read it and help share it!
Did you see our Happy New Year video?
WEGO Health’s Top 10 of 2010
Dec 27th
Well, friends, 2011 is eagerly waiting offstage for its grand entrance as 2010 finishes the last of its routine and takes a final bow. Before it’s all over, let’s give 2010 an online standing ovation (and mini-encore) by commemorating the incredible year it has been!
2010 was a powerful year here at WEGO Health HQ and in the world of online (and offline!) Health Activism. This was a big year for growing, defining goals, and moving from big ideas to real, tangible action. The WEGO Health team had the awesome (and invaluable) opportunity to finally connect with our online friends in person, brought Health Activists together to speak about their common goals and tell healthcare companies what their communities really need, and really watched health social media take flight. And, you know, it wasn’t easy to boil it down to just 10 favorites – but here’s what we’ve come up with! (And read on to see what I'm most looking forward to in 2011!)
1. Boston Health Activist Meetups!
2010 was a powerful year here at WEGO Health HQ and in the world of online (and offline!) Health Activism. This was a big year for growing, defining goals, and moving from big ideas to real, tangible action. The WEGO Health team had the awesome (and invaluable) opportunity to finally connect with our online friends in person, brought Health Activists together to speak about their common goals and tell healthcare companies what their communities really need, and really watched health social media take flight. And, you know, it wasn’t easy to boil it down to just 10 favorites – but here’s what we’ve come up with! (And read on to see what I'm most looking forward to in 2011!)
1. Boston Health Activist Meetups!
We held our very first in-person Health Activist meetup this past April. Health Activists in the Boston area joined us for awesome conversation and a drink or two. For the very first time, we got to see how influential connecting face-to-face can be. Health Activists focused on different conditions came together and shared how they got started and found common ground, realizing their communities need the same support and dedication. The WEGO Health team is lucky to be stationed in such a rich city and now that we've hosted a few Boston meetups (our second was in September), we're ready to expand and visit a city near you. 2011 is going to be an exciting year for meetups just you wait! Until then check out all of our blog posts recapping both meetups and borrow the tips we compiled.
5. Meeting Health Activists IRL (in real life)
As with many of you, most of our correspondence happens through the written word and occasionally on the phone. So interacting with people face-to-face that we've "met" online was a huge opportunity and really helped deepen the relationships we have with our community members and that all of you have with each other. There's something about physically seeing a person and hearing their voice that really adds a new level of connection. It can be easy to forget how powerful it is to sit down and talk with someone in person and see their mannerisms and expressions - but it really is! And, on the flip side, meeting people in person actually improves interaction on social media platforms. Once you've really gotten to know someone's personality, you are able to pick it out in key ways through their blogs, Twitter, and other online work in a way you weren't before. Personally, I hope there is a lot more of this in 2011!
6. Your WEGO Health Blogs
Health Activists work in different ways. Some of you are adept at giving advice in forums while others of you work best through Facebook and Twitter. We love that and will always embrace the many forms you use to advocate. But it was great to see how many of you came by the community and shared your thoughts with us through your own WEGO Health Blog. Whether you were updating us on the latest news, sharing what your community was working on, or sharing links to your favorite sites - it added a really rich layer to the community. It was really fun, for me, to see folks start blogging and really come into their own with their writing voice. Many of the blogs were so great that they inspired new members to comment and interact, across conditions, which is exactly what we hope to do more of! You're great storytellers and each of your perspectives is unique - I'm really looking forward to seeing how you continue to share with us and each other in the future.
7. WEGOwebinars
Did you know Health Activists are smart? Of course you did. But did you know just how great Health Activists are when they put their minds together? Our 2010 WEGOwebinars offered a brand new way to have a meeting of the minds that also served as a real resource for others. Combining the hard work, great efforts, moving stories, genuine dedication, and sometimes even confession made for a type of webinar presentation unlike any other. In 2011, you can expect more webinars from more Health Activists and you will have the opportunity to revisit and share past webinars through our soon-to-be-released WEGOwebinar page.
8. New Groups
We're always looking for better ways to improve conversation among Health Activists. By adding new Groups in 2010, health leaders in more specific areas were able to come together and help each other in an in-depth way. Our new groups in 2010 were: Leukemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Hepatitis, Ning for Health Activists, and Health Technology.
We hope you will continue to find the groups useful and a great way to talk leadership with other leaders dedicated to your condition that share your interests. I think our brand new Health Technology group is especially exciting!
9. Spotlights & Interviews
This year we got right to the heart of some incredible health communities and heard directly from their founders. We learned what got these leaders started on their Health Activism journeys, heard what truly excites them, and uncovered what they wish the general public knew about the cause they advocate for. Each interview was as unique as its subject, but it was easy to spot consistent themes and see just how much our community members have in common. The interviews were also a great source of inspiration for anyone seeking new ideas or encouragement to take that next step and: start blogging, try non-profit work, raise awareness, create a support network, and even influence legislation. See all our Spotlights on our Community home page and here in the WEGOblog. There is really no substitute for this feature and you can bet we'll have even more interviews, spotlights, and features on more of you and your peers in 2011. You're doing great work and we promise to highlight it and help you get the word out!
10. Health Activist Blog Carnival
It's hard to believe this wasn't always a WEGO Health staple - but our Health Activist Blog Carnival debuted in back January 2010! The Blog Carnival offered community members the chance to think about their work critically, share honestly, and talk about what keeps them going. Each month had its own focus and gave bloggers the opportunity to write about something a little bit different. By looking at advocacy from a new angle, lots of great revelations happened. Just look at all of the topics we covered! In 2011, you can expect even more of these types of activities. Here on the WEGO Health blog in particular, we've got a lot planned. I can guarantee more features, interviews, projects, ideas, take-aways, prompts, factoids, and exciting ways to get involved.
It was an exceptional year in Health Activism both on WEGO Health and beyond, in each of your health communities. Our WEGO Health team has lots planned for the new year and will have even more fun ways (and exciting opportunities) for you to participate in and to continue do the amazing work you're doing!
This was our collective submission to the last Blog Carnival of 2010! If you want to check out others' Top 10 lists swing by the discussion here and feel free to write a quick list of your own.
Thanks to everyone in our community and across the online world - you always seem to always find new ways to inspire us and remind us that our work to empower you Health Activists to help others is important and totally worth it! See you next year!
2. New Health Activist opportunity: Voices to Industry
Two worlds collided when we brought Health Activists and Pharma together in the same room. Through respectful (and frankly, fascinating) discourse, both "sides" of the health sphere met and discussed everything from the necessity of Pharma's participation in social media to the complex regulations healthcare companies must go through before facing the public with their product. (Learn more about "Voices to Industry" here.) As an onlooker at our Socialpalooza event and I could see the brain-gears turning as Health Activists offered their honest perspectives to Pharma reps. One of the most memorable moments was when one Pharma rep discussed the rigid regulatory climate that led to the creation of in an invented patient-character tweeting about a condition on behalf of the company. Health Activists on the panel explained that this is not ok with the online community and that patients living with a condition can easily detect an imposter. These are the pieces of insight that Health Activists want to tell healthcare companies and their consensus was: "if you want to know, just ask us!". Check out the Socialpalooza recap for more and be on the lookout for the Voices to Industry opportunities in 2011!
Two worlds collided when we brought Health Activists and Pharma together in the same room. Through respectful (and frankly, fascinating) discourse, both "sides" of the health sphere met and discussed everything from the necessity of Pharma's participation in social media to the complex regulations healthcare companies must go through before facing the public with their product. (Learn more about "Voices to Industry" here.) As an onlooker at our Socialpalooza event and I could see the brain-gears turning as Health Activists offered their honest perspectives to Pharma reps. One of the most memorable moments was when one Pharma rep discussed the rigid regulatory climate that led to the creation of in an invented patient-character tweeting about a condition on behalf of the company. Health Activists on the panel explained that this is not ok with the online community and that patients living with a condition can easily detect an imposter. These are the pieces of insight that Health Activists want to tell healthcare companies and their consensus was: "if you want to know, just ask us!". Check out the Socialpalooza recap for more and be on the lookout for the Voices to Industry opportunities in 2011!
Back in July, Medical Marketing & Media (MMM) said "WEGO Health throws Ning network users a lifeline with sponsorship." For us, it just made sense. What better way to promote Health Activism than by helping those who started their own online health communities to continue to do so for free? Through our Ning sponsorship we connected with some incredible Health Activists and were able to help thousands of community members continue to receive support and connect with each other. It was a perfect way to really enact our mission of "empowering Health Activists to help others." See what Diabetes Activist Manny said about the sponsorship and check out two of our sponsored networks Jason's Crohn's Disease Support Network and Terry's Friends with MS.
4. Watching your vlog debuts!
While some Health Activists aren't strangers to the bright lights of video blogging, others took the plunge and recorded their very first vlog this year! Many of you did so to participate in our October Vlog Carnival with icyou. We could only choose 4 winners, all of whom did an amazing job, but (to risk sounding cliche) everyone who participated was a winner! Everyone who submitted a video had us all cheering. Being behind our keyboards and monitors all day reading text just can't compete with seeing your faces as you spoke aloud about your Activism, you know! Here's to hoping that more of you will jump in and try video as a way to connect with your communities in 2011.
5. Meeting Health Activists IRL (in real life)
As with many of you, most of our correspondence happens through the written word and occasionally on the phone. So interacting with people face-to-face that we've "met" online was a huge opportunity and really helped deepen the relationships we have with our community members and that all of you have with each other. There's something about physically seeing a person and hearing their voice that really adds a new level of connection. It can be easy to forget how powerful it is to sit down and talk with someone in person and see their mannerisms and expressions - but it really is! And, on the flip side, meeting people in person actually improves interaction on social media platforms. Once you've really gotten to know someone's personality, you are able to pick it out in key ways through their blogs, Twitter, and other online work in a way you weren't before. Personally, I hope there is a lot more of this in 2011!
6. Your WEGO Health Blogs
Health Activists work in different ways. Some of you are adept at giving advice in forums while others of you work best through Facebook and Twitter. We love that and will always embrace the many forms you use to advocate. But it was great to see how many of you came by the community and shared your thoughts with us through your own WEGO Health Blog. Whether you were updating us on the latest news, sharing what your community was working on, or sharing links to your favorite sites - it added a really rich layer to the community. It was really fun, for me, to see folks start blogging and really come into their own with their writing voice. Many of the blogs were so great that they inspired new members to comment and interact, across conditions, which is exactly what we hope to do more of! You're great storytellers and each of your perspectives is unique - I'm really looking forward to seeing how you continue to share with us and each other in the future.
7. WEGOwebinars
Did you know Health Activists are smart? Of course you did. But did you know just how great Health Activists are when they put their minds together? Our 2010 WEGOwebinars offered a brand new way to have a meeting of the minds that also served as a real resource for others. Combining the hard work, great efforts, moving stories, genuine dedication, and sometimes even confession made for a type of webinar presentation unlike any other. In 2011, you can expect more webinars from more Health Activists and you will have the opportunity to revisit and share past webinars through our soon-to-be-released WEGOwebinar page.
8. New Groups
We're always looking for better ways to improve conversation among Health Activists. By adding new Groups in 2010, health leaders in more specific areas were able to come together and help each other in an in-depth way. Our new groups in 2010 were: Leukemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Hepatitis, Ning for Health Activists, and Health Technology.
We hope you will continue to find the groups useful and a great way to talk leadership with other leaders dedicated to your condition that share your interests. I think our brand new Health Technology group is especially exciting!
9. Spotlights & Interviews
This year we got right to the heart of some incredible health communities and heard directly from their founders. We learned what got these leaders started on their Health Activism journeys, heard what truly excites them, and uncovered what they wish the general public knew about the cause they advocate for. Each interview was as unique as its subject, but it was easy to spot consistent themes and see just how much our community members have in common. The interviews were also a great source of inspiration for anyone seeking new ideas or encouragement to take that next step and: start blogging, try non-profit work, raise awareness, create a support network, and even influence legislation. See all our Spotlights on our Community home page and here in the WEGOblog. There is really no substitute for this feature and you can bet we'll have even more interviews, spotlights, and features on more of you and your peers in 2011. You're doing great work and we promise to highlight it and help you get the word out!
10. Health Activist Blog Carnival
It's hard to believe this wasn't always a WEGO Health staple - but our Health Activist Blog Carnival debuted in back January 2010! The Blog Carnival offered community members the chance to think about their work critically, share honestly, and talk about what keeps them going. Each month had its own focus and gave bloggers the opportunity to write about something a little bit different. By looking at advocacy from a new angle, lots of great revelations happened. Just look at all of the topics we covered! In 2011, you can expect even more of these types of activities. Here on the WEGO Health blog in particular, we've got a lot planned. I can guarantee more features, interviews, projects, ideas, take-aways, prompts, factoids, and exciting ways to get involved.
It was an exceptional year in Health Activism both on WEGO Health and beyond, in each of your health communities. Our WEGO Health team has lots planned for the new year and will have even more fun ways (and exciting opportunities) for you to participate in and to continue do the amazing work you're doing!
This was our collective submission to the last Blog Carnival of 2010! If you want to check out others' Top 10 lists swing by the discussion here and feel free to write a quick list of your own.
Thanks to everyone in our community and across the online world - you always seem to always find new ways to inspire us and remind us that our work to empower you Health Activists to help others is important and totally worth it! See you next year!
Intern with WEGO Health!
Dec 20th
Our WEGO Health team is on the search for some energetic, talented interns to join us as part of our awesome Boston offices! As a WEGO Health intern you will learn all about the world of Health Activism and online health leadership. You will tweet, blog, research, learn, and more! (If you're as excited as I am, read on...)
We're offering 3 types of internships in a few different areas. Here are the particulars:
WEGO Health is a different kind of social media company, serving as a trusted liaison between online health leaders (Health Activists) and leading healthcare companies. Through online community and unique education programs, WEGO Health empowers these leaders to help others in the online health world.
As an energetic start-up, it’s a great place for people who are smart, self-starters, who love social media and want to connect with savvy online bloggers, tweeps, and leaders in the online health world.
Apply for 1 (or more) of the following:
1. Online Editorial Internship
A great opportunity for Journalism majors, Writing or English majors, and all people interested in Social Media. For those who love online research, can write well, and are naturally inquisitive. You will: research a variety of health topics, blog, encourage conversation among community members, identify the best web content about health and engage with those awesome content creators, and spread the word about Health Activism!
2. Sponsor Programs Internship
A great opportunity for Marketing, PR, Health Communication, or Communication majors. You will focus on our sponsor programs, helping to create sales decks for our healthcare company clients, work on research decks, and help to implement best practices across sponsor programs including education projects for Health Activists!
3. Marketing Internship
A great opportunity for Marketing/Branding/Business majors or anyone who is interested in Social Media marketing, email marketing, SEO, metrics, etc. You will be focused on brand identification and consistency, develop programs to add reach to our brand, create continuity across current social networks and applications, help take our social media strategy to the next level!
Since we're all about personal growth and helping others pursue their goals; all internships will be customizable by the individual interns. We want each member of our team find their favorite way to contribute and really make the most of their breadth of interests!
So if you (or someone you know) is interested in applying for a for-credit internship please email us at careers@wegohealth.com and send over a resume and cover letter or personal statement. We'll also be googling for your internet-presence so if you wanted to send over links that would aid in that process! And if you want the whole internship description - we can send that to you as well.
We're offering 3 types of internships in a few different areas. Here are the particulars:
WEGO Health is a different kind of social media company, serving as a trusted liaison between online health leaders (Health Activists) and leading healthcare companies. Through online community and unique education programs, WEGO Health empowers these leaders to help others in the online health world.
As an energetic start-up, it’s a great place for people who are smart, self-starters, who love social media and want to connect with savvy online bloggers, tweeps, and leaders in the online health world.
Apply for 1 (or more) of the following:
1. Online Editorial Internship
A great opportunity for Journalism majors, Writing or English majors, and all people interested in Social Media. For those who love online research, can write well, and are naturally inquisitive. You will: research a variety of health topics, blog, encourage conversation among community members, identify the best web content about health and engage with those awesome content creators, and spread the word about Health Activism!
2. Sponsor Programs Internship
A great opportunity for Marketing, PR, Health Communication, or Communication majors. You will focus on our sponsor programs, helping to create sales decks for our healthcare company clients, work on research decks, and help to implement best practices across sponsor programs including education projects for Health Activists!
3. Marketing Internship
A great opportunity for Marketing/Branding/Business majors or anyone who is interested in Social Media marketing, email marketing, SEO, metrics, etc. You will be focused on brand identification and consistency, develop programs to add reach to our brand, create continuity across current social networks and applications, help take our social media strategy to the next level!
Since we're all about personal growth and helping others pursue their goals; all internships will be customizable by the individual interns. We want each member of our team find their favorite way to contribute and really make the most of their breadth of interests!
So if you (or someone you know) is interested in applying for a for-credit internship please email us at careers@wegohealth.com and send over a resume and cover letter or personal statement. We'll also be googling for your internet-presence so if you wanted to send over links that would aid in that process! And if you want the whole internship description - we can send that to you as well.
We've got so many exciting projects planned for 2011 and we'd love to have you join us!
Interviewing Health Activists: Cherise, Founder of Diabetes Social Media Advocacy Chat (#DSMA)
Dec 16th
If you check your Twitter stream as much as I do, you’ve probably seen a flurry of tweets every Wednesday evening marked with with the hashtag #dsma. If so, you’ve stumbled upon (or perhaps even participated in) the Diabetes Social Media Advocacy Chat! This week, WEGO Health had the opportunity to speak with its creator, Diabetes Health Activist Cherise Shockley about why she started the #dsma chat and what she thinks of Health Activism.WEGO Health: Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us, Cherise! You’re doing great things for the online Diabetes community – what’s your personal background with Diabetes?
Cherise: I was diagnosed with Type 1.5/LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) in June of 2004 at the age of 23. When I was first diagnosed I was shocked. I cried. The Nurse Practitioner held me and told me it would be ok. I called my Mom and of course I cried some more. My husband was in Iraq when I was diagnosed so I had to figure out how to live with diabetes on my own; I put a lot a faith in God and the internet. I did not know a lot people with Type 2 or Type 1 and never heard of LADA. What was LADA? What can I eat? What can’t I eat? Carb counts? And the list goes on and on. Once I figured what LADA was and I could live with it. I was able to breathe! I try not to get emotional about having diabetes but every once in a while it has a way of trying to find the emotional button and turning it on but I quickly turn it off.
WEGO Health: What is "#dsma" and how did it start? What made you take this leap?
Cherise: #dsma (Diabetes Social Media Advocacy) is a weekly twitter chat about diabetes.
I started #dsma based off the #hcsm chat that Dana Lewis moderates on Sunday evenings. I wanted to make a patient-based chat for the diabetes online community and I knew she would be able to offer some insight. After, I spoke with her and a few other people in the diabetes community. I knew in my heart that #dsma twitter chat would be a perfect way to show support for one another, advocate for diabetes using social media, and help spread awareness for diabetes.
WEGO Health: What was the feedback from the diabetes community? From the greater online medical community?
Cherise: I am so thankful and blessed the Diabetes Online Community (D-OC) supported #dsma from the beginning. The D-OC is what helped #dsma become what is today. I get a lot of positive feedback from the D-OC via blog postings and twitter. I have grown as a Patient and Advocate. You can edit a blog but you can’t edit a tweet; the raw emotion from someone in 140 characters is powerful and very empowering. I have not received any feedback from the greater online medical community.
WEGO Health: Yet! The #dsma chat is actually a great model for leaders of other health conditions to follow - we will certainly point anyone interested in starting a chat for their condition your way for a great example of what to do!
How important is connecting with other people with diabetes, in your opinion, and how does it help improve your own diabetes health and well-being?
Cherise: Connecting people with diabetes is very important to me because I was always the “only” one. I had support from my husband and family but there are times when they did not understand. Diabetes can be a very lonely disease; no one should have to live with diabetes alone. We all may treat our diabetes different but when it comes to the emotional, physical and mental side of diabetes someone in the diabetes community can relate.
I have learned a lot about living with diabetes from reading blogs, participating in diabetes online community and on Twitter. There are 5 things that I have taken from the community and that have helped my well being and diabetes health- 1. It’s not my fault. 2. Be patient 3. Every day is different 4. Diabetes is manageable even when it seems like it’s not. 5. I am not alone.
WEGO Health: Do you consider yourself a Health Activist? Why or why not?
Cherise: Yes, I consider myself a Health Activist. I believe in helping, supporting and advocating for people living with diabetes. I believe in educating those who do not understand diabetes and fighting for people who deny People living with Diabetes the proper care they deserve. The only difference is I do not march or picket; I will if I have too. I use social media as a tool to discuss issues around the world and around the diabetes community.
WEGO Health: How can people get involved with #dsma?
Cherise: You can participate in #dsma every Wednesday night at 9PM EST, the diabetes community, family members of PWD’s and caretakers get together once a week to participate in #dsma on twitter. The topics vary from questions on living with diabetes, media, food, infusion sites, meters, and more. If you would like to participate in Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (#dsma) it's easy to do: follow @diabetessocmed or the hash tag #dsma, please make sure you add the #dsma to your tweets. If you have a question or a topic to submit you can visit http://www.diabetessocmed.com/ and go to the submit topic tab-you can also find previous #dsma chats and transcripts at http://www.diabetessocmed.com/.
WEGO Health: Thanks Cherise! You're a great example of how to use Twitter to really take advantage of an awesome online community! We look forward to seeing more of the great work you're doing for the online Diabetes community.
New Health Activist Blog Carnival: Top 10 of 2010
Dec 2nd
With the end of the year fast approaching, it's an ideal time to look back on what the year has meant to you as a Health Activist, and to your communities.
The topic for December's Health Activist Blog Carnival is simple: Share your Top 10 of 2010.
We hope you'll use this post as an opportunity to think big and share your community's achievements and milestones, your favorite posts and discussions (whether started by you, or others!), as well as the best developments for you as a Health Activist!
In addition to featuring some of our favorite submissions at the end of the month, we'll be sharing items on your Top 10 lists with our Facebook and Twitter followers to highlight the accomplishments of our incredible community of Health Activists - so start thinking about your Top 10 of 2010 today!
First time submitting a post to the Health Activist Blog Carnival? Here's all you need to do:
- Let others know that your post is for the Health Activist Blog Carnival by including the following text at the end of your post: "This post is my December entry in the Health Activist Blog Carnival. If you're interested in participating too, you can read all about here: http://blog.wegohealth.com/2010/12/new-health-activist-blog-carnival-top.html
- Leave a comment with a link to your entry on this Health Bloggers Discussion - be sure to come back often to check out the latest entries from your fellow Health Activists!
We can't wait to read (and share!) your successes.
Health Activist Blog Carnival – November Wrap Up
Dec 1st
November may be over, but the Thanksgiving spirit lives on! For our latest Health Activist Blog Carnival we asked "What are 3 things you're thankful for in your Health Activism?" This topic allowed for some great reflection and an opportunity to see some trends in what we all value in our leadership journeys.
Here are a few highlights:
Susan is thankful for Perspective. She says, "I am extremely thankful for the perspective that comes with Health Activism. Sure, whatever I am facing today might be tricky, painful, horrible even... but the perspective to look around and realize that 1. It's probably not as bad as someone else's day 2. I am not alone and 3. I have a strong support network... is invaluable."
In her reflection, Janeen thanked her Family. As she put it, "Being a Health Activist doesn't come without compromise. The time I spend on the computer doing research or sharing information is time that I'm not spending with my family. But my family is always very understanding and always supportive. They are my cheerleaders. They are always there to lift me up when I am down, to cheer for me when I've done good, and to be my inspiration when I don't think that I can keep going."
Nicole thanks Awesome Autism Bloggers on the web. She said, "I had definitely heard of [Autism] before, but it wasn’t until I began really digging deep that I gained a true understanding of the condition...these bloggers are the perfect example of health activism. There are tons of great activists out there blogging for tons of causes, and I feel like I can learn from all of them, if only I had the time!"
Emily gives a shoutout to her University, "As part of a program at my school, I took a yearlong class about HIV/AIDS in South Africa which required me to travel to Cape Town for two weeks. [There] I met HIV/AIDS activists who operated on extremely limited funds, but still managed to spread their message across the country and make a dramatic impact on their fellow citizens. It was also here that I realized that I too was a health activist!"
Amy (and few others of us, myself included) thanked Social Media and Twitter in particular. Amy said it well, "Thank you for connecting me to resources and people I never even dreamed of being connected to. Thank you for fostering education, empowerment and better health for me and my family. Because of the "power of me" that I found by utilizing social media, I am healthier, more confident and have more hope. It is because of you that I am largely able to be a Health Activist, and for that, I cannot thank you enough."
What a wonderful thought to end on!
Thank you to all of those who participated and be sure to read everyone's blog posts if you haven't yet. If you want to tell us what you're thankful for - feel free to add a post to the discussion. And keep the holiday spirit going - we've got one more month left in 2010 so here's to making the very best of it!
Here are a few highlights:
Susan is thankful for Perspective. She says, "I am extremely thankful for the perspective that comes with Health Activism. Sure, whatever I am facing today might be tricky, painful, horrible even... but the perspective to look around and realize that 1. It's probably not as bad as someone else's day 2. I am not alone and 3. I have a strong support network... is invaluable."
In her reflection, Janeen thanked her Family. As she put it, "Being a Health Activist doesn't come without compromise. The time I spend on the computer doing research or sharing information is time that I'm not spending with my family. But my family is always very understanding and always supportive. They are my cheerleaders. They are always there to lift me up when I am down, to cheer for me when I've done good, and to be my inspiration when I don't think that I can keep going."
Nicole thanks Awesome Autism Bloggers on the web. She said, "I had definitely heard of [Autism] before, but it wasn’t until I began really digging deep that I gained a true understanding of the condition...these bloggers are the perfect example of health activism. There are tons of great activists out there blogging for tons of causes, and I feel like I can learn from all of them, if only I had the time!"
Emily gives a shoutout to her University, "As part of a program at my school, I took a yearlong class about HIV/AIDS in South Africa which required me to travel to Cape Town for two weeks. [There] I met HIV/AIDS activists who operated on extremely limited funds, but still managed to spread their message across the country and make a dramatic impact on their fellow citizens. It was also here that I realized that I too was a health activist!"
Amy (and few others of us, myself included) thanked Social Media and Twitter in particular. Amy said it well, "Thank you for connecting me to resources and people I never even dreamed of being connected to. Thank you for fostering education, empowerment and better health for me and my family. Because of the "power of me" that I found by utilizing social media, I am healthier, more confident and have more hope. It is because of you that I am largely able to be a Health Activist, and for that, I cannot thank you enough."
What a wonderful thought to end on!
Thank you to all of those who participated and be sure to read everyone's blog posts if you haven't yet. If you want to tell us what you're thankful for - feel free to add a post to the discussion. And keep the holiday spirit going - we've got one more month left in 2010 so here's to making the very best of it!
We Love: Crohn’s Disease Support Network
Nov 23rd
This week on WEGO Health Loves: Crohn's Disease Support Network (CDSN)
Celebrating one year of providing "A Social Support Network for Crohn's Disease patients, family, and friends," The CDSN continues to uphold its mission of helping those within the Crohn's Disease community. Because, as its homepage says, "there is a large majority of people who know someone with Crohn's or have heard of it, [but] have no idea what it is or how serious it can be."
The Crohn's Disease Support Network, founded by Health Activist Jason Leitman, has over 830 members! In addition to offering a place for patients to discuss the condition they have in common, there is information for those who have a loved one with Crohn's, and an overall welcoming environment for anyone interested in understanding this disease. As Jason says in his introduction video, "nobody should ever have to live with Crohn's alone and have no support it's so important to be able to connect with other people who are experiencing what you're experiencing...When I was first diagnosed I didn't want anything to do with support, didn't think I needed it. And boy was I wrong."
Through the CDSN, Jason and his community members work to raise awareness about Crohn's disease. If you're interested in learning more about Jason's work with the CDSN:
- Visit the Crohn's Disease Support Network on Ning
- Like CDSN on Facebook
- Follow CDSN on Twitter
- Check out Jason's Vlogs on the CDSN's Youtube Channel
- Read Jason's Crohn's blog
Zolpidem (Ambien) in Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
Nov 22nd
It is estimated that up to 95% of women experience some type of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. While for many women the insomnia is relatively benign and may respond to simple interventions, other women experience more severe insomnia which has a significant impact on their quality of life and ability to function. While zolpidem (Ambien), [...]