#NotMyType – How We Talk about Diabetes: An Upcoming Twitter Chat with Novo Nordisk, Kelly Close and Phyllisa Deroze

December 2, 2015 /3BL Media/ -  Did you know there is more to the words “I have diabetes” than you might think? Even though diabetes is a common condition, a lot of myths and misunderstandings still exist, and many are not aware of the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For friends, family members and coworkers, knowing how to talk about diabetes can prove difficult - also for Novo Nordisk - which is why we want to hear what you have to say.

If you are a patient, a healthcare professional, policymaker, work at a therapy or technology company or social worker or know someone who was recently diagnosed or lives with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, join Novo Nordisk (@novonordisk), Kelly Close (@kellyclose), type 1 and founder of The diaTribe Foundation (@diaTribenews) and Phyllisa Deroze (@Doc__P), type 2 and blogger at www.diagnosedNOTdefeated.com for a Twitter chat to improve the way we all think and talk about diabetes. 

In this LIVE 60-minute chat we will discuss:

• Common misconceptions: diabetes and their origins.
• How people living with diabetes perceive the way we – and others - talk about diabetes.
• Dos and Don’ts for companies, healthcare providers, employers, & society.  

Tips to get the most from #NotMyType:

• Follow the main participants and #NotMyType #diabetes hashtag.
• Submit questions before the event to get the discussion going early!
• Use the #NotMyType hashtag on your comments that you want to share with the community.
• Share tweets you think your followers will appreciate.
• Follow interesting participants during and after the chat.

About the panelists:

Kelly Close:

Kelly L. Close is the founder and Chair of the Board of The diaTribe Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people living with diabetes and prediabetes, and advocating for action. Since 2006, she has been the Editor-in-Chief of diaTribe, the foundation’s free newsletter focused on making people with diabetes healthier and happier. She has also run Close Concerns since 2002, a healthcare research organization exclusively focused on diabetes and obesity. Kelly's passion for diabetes comes from her extensive professional work as well as her personal experience as a patient with type 1 diabetes for nearly 30 years.

Phyllisa Deroze:

Phyllisa Deroze is an Assistant Professor of Literature by day and Type 2 blogger by day and night. She started blogging in 2011 after being diagnosed with diabetes and losing her home in a tornado within a two month span. At www.diagnosedNOTdefeated.com, she enjoys giving readers an insider’s perspective of living with Type 2. In 2012, she created Black Diabetic Info a website that provides culturally-competent diabetes information to diverse communities. She has been featured on “DSMA Live” a weekly diabetes online radio show, Health Monitor Diabetes Magazine, Huffington Post Live, You Can Do This Project, the 2015 Winter edition of Diabetes Focus magazine, and is a proud member of The Type 2 Experience.

Novo Nordisk:

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation

and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat other serious chronic conditions: haemophilia, growth disorders and obesity. We believe that a healthy economy, environment and society are fundamental to long-term value creation. This is why we manage our business in accordance with the Triple Bottom Line business principle and consider the financial, environmental and social impact of our business decisions.