I don’t know how many times I’ve explained the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes -– to family, friends, colleagues, teachers, other mothers, you name it! I never really intended to write about it here, figuring I was addressing a primarily diabetic audience that’d be quite familiar with the distinction. But I’ve been implored to do so, and there’s also been some hot blog discussion on the topic of late.

In my diabetic Internet travels, I have learned that there are an incredible number of medical Web logs out there. It seems the medical community was one of the first to catch on to the power of blogs. A few of these medical blogs have been around since 1999 (the blog Stone Age, mind you!), and with today’s plethora, they now even have their own weekly roundup of the best stuff offered, called the Grand Rounds — hosted at a different med blog each Tuesday -– along with their very own annual honors, the “Medical Blog Awards.”

I had planned on posting about something else entirely today, until I bumped into this (which was announced on my birthday, btw -– what nerve!):

On April 21, the American Diabetes Association announced a corrupt new “multi-million dollar alliance” with Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, a major manufacturer of sweetened soft drinks that are implicated in the epidemic of obesity and diabetes in the United States.

What do Dr. Bernstein and Newt Gingrich have in common? Well, it seems they’re both advocates for transforming diabetes care. This month, both are speaking out about how America’s increasingly sedentary lifestyle is cultivating diabetes, and what to do about it.

Today is my 39^th birthday. Happy Birthday to me, nearly-gosh-darn-40! Yes, it bothers me in the sense that it does most women: wrinkles, not so hot. But I’m really less concerned about losing my youth than I am about gaining my old age. And having some fun along the way because, like my own mom says, “I’m still 26 in my head.”

The moderator of the ADA Message Board has removed my post re: “Dr. Bernstein vs. the ADA” from their forum, claiming I was trying to “create a controversy when there hasn’t been any” in order to stir things up. I think they found the title offensive. Clearly, the ADA does not like to see itself at odds with Dr.Bernstein and his followers. I guess this discussion is better off restricted to the dLife site, after all.

Talk about your controversial subjects! I discovered a message thread on the dLife Message Board on the topic: “dr. bernstein vs the ada - whom do you believe?” that’s been raging since Jan. 23! To date, there are 65 posts (and counting) covering 7 pages of post thread. Some of them are long enough to hit a second page as a Word document. (I know, ‘cause I tried it: can you say, “Diabetic Internet Geek”?)

Speaking of children with diabetes, I’d like to say a bit more about research, and why stem cells matter. No intention of wading into the morally and politically charged quagmire here (When does life begin? How must we treat embryos?); just want to offer a little “primer” for those less familiar with the groundbreaking research going on now.

First and foremost, let me say: I’m glad it’s me. I CANNOT IMAGINE trying to manage diabetes for my child…

What did you get? Let’s see, mine came with a thyroid disorder and severe allergic reactions that turned out to be gluten intolerance. So now on top of the carb-counting and the shots, I’m limited to wheat-free foods, which is a whole other world of complexity, since so much “normal” food is glutinous. Are we having fun yet?!