In the world today many more people know about diabetes then ever before. Unfortunately, people have the wrong idea of diabetes and how affects you. Yes, diabetes can be deadly only if you don't take care of it. This in the long run can cause problems with your eyesight, feet and other areas of your body. These problems make people think that diabetes is a deadly disease that you won't live from. This scares them when either they or someone they know gets diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. With these myths that they have towards diabetes it makes it look not too positive.
My goal and dream is that diabetes won't be looked at as a negative, horrible disease. I want people to know that they can handle this and that it won't stop them from doing the things they love. It is hard for people that are diagnosed with diabetes to understand what it is. It's even harder when they don't have a family member that has it too. Though with a positive attitude you can handle this and not let diabetes win. Below are three things that you need too always remember about either Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.
Three Things to Remember:
1) You are not alone!
When you're diagnosed with diabetes it is scary because it's a new world. It's something you've never experienced before and will have for the rest of your life. Just remember that there are other people going through the same thing. Just think of all the other people that have it and are not depressed. Example: Nick Jonas, Halle Berry, Dick Clark, Randy Jackson, Larry King, etc. These are a small amount of how many people have diabetes in this world. I have my mom to lean on because we're both diabetics. Though you and/or other people don't have that, I want you to be able to lean on me by looking at this website and knowing that other people know how you feel. If you just ask people at your doctor's office, work place, etc. I bet one of those people have diabetes. If you just open up and let people in they will help you and be there to support you. Just remember that and you'll be fine.
2) Don't let it stop you!
Diabetes does not cause your life and dreams to slow up and come to halt unless you let it. If you take care of your diabetes and manage it well you can still do the things you did before. Follow your dreams and keep your head up! Diabetes can make you a stronger person and help you help others with diabetes. Diabetes is luckily one of the diseases that are not that hard to handle. This is what you need to remember. Just look at the people that are following their dreams even though they have diabetes. Nick Jonas has Type 1 diabetes and followed his dream to become a singer. Halle Berry, also a Type 1 diabetic, followed her dream and became an actress. These celebrities and other people have followed their dreams even though they have diabetes and you should too. Nothing can stop you unless you let it.
3) It's not as bad as it seems!
Diabetes has come so far from where it used to be that it's not as bad as it once was thought as. In before times people thought you couldn't have anything with sugar (ex. cookies, cake, pie, candy, etc.). Though as technology and medicine got better people began to realize that every food has sugar just some is good for your body and some is not. Now all you have to do is take insulin with either a needle or insulin pump whenever you eat something that has carbohydrate. If you think about it it's not that bad. All you have to do is test your blood sugar before eating and then give insulin for the food that has carbohydrate. Compared to other dieases this is an easier one to control. So when you think that this is the hardest thing ever and you feel like nothing about this is good remember that it's not as bad as it seems. Again, keep your head up and don't let diabetes control you.
Basically, what I'm trying to tell is that diabetes is controllable and doesn't have to run your life. I know it was a lot of words, but I'm just trying to let you know it's positive and not the end of the world. There will be times when you feel like diabetes is too much to handle and I know how you feel. Sometimes it's overwhelming and it's okay to feel that way. Just don't let it win and don't mope too much. Keep your head up and stay positive. The reputation diabetes has is not that great but if you stay positive and show people it's not negative then they will feel the same way. This attitude will help you and the people around you feel good about diabetes and not sad. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Take care,
Ariel
