Voice of the PatientePatient2009 Conference

Kerri Morrone Sparlingwww.sixuntilme.com

Before I was an ePatient, I was e-Impatient. Where were the other people living “real lives” with chronic illnesses, like me?

Was the only information online of the “horror story” variety?

I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I had to create it for myself.

I Wasn’t Alone.

• SixUntilMe started in May 2005, one of the very first diabetes blogs.

• Now there are more than 350 sites dedicated to diabetes lifestyle and management.

• The diabetes community has stepped outside of the Internet and has in-person meet-ups.

• Patient opinion leaders (POLs) are patient bloggers who have risen to become voices for their communities.

• Connecting with the POL links you to their vast community of like-minded people who trust them to provide quality information with integrity.

Why Do the “POLs” Matter?

We don’t blog because we HAVE to – we blog because it helps us heal.

Until there is a cure, there will be a blog. And while life with diabetes isn’t easy, sharing our collective stories and finding support in one another makes the burden so much lighter.