Archive for the ‘Diagnosis Stories’ Category

“We Can Do This”: Vol. 3

This is the third episode of “We Can Do This” – a series of group videos where people with diabetes come together around a common topic and share their diagnosis stories, lessons learned, and advice for others. Launched in 2012, the first video showcased five people who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as adults, while the second featured three people who live with diabetes-related anxiety.

Something that many people living with diabetes (of any type) face is the persistence of stereotypes and stigmas. You may have faced some of these inaccurate, and sometimes offensive, comments yourself – that people with diabetes “can’t eat candy”; that all you have to do is just take your medication and it all just works out; that type 1 only happens to kids (and they somehow magically will outgrow it); that type 2 diabetes is somehow “earned” due to obesity or laziness.

The truth is that type 2 diabetes exists on a large spectrum, and there is still much to learn about why and how it occurs, and in whom. Not every person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes fits the stereotypes, and we’d like to introduce you to a few: Phyllisa, Rachel, Joe, and Sue.

Video: Shannon

Contributor: Shannon; @lifewithtype1

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: “Diabetes doesn’t always pick [the people] with the best support systems [...] if you’ve dealt with the lack of family support, or the job frustration [because you needed health insurance], come talk to me.”

Video: Jason

 

Contributor: Jason

Connection: Adult with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “When I went into the hospital, I had a blood sugar of 692. You can do diabetes. Have fun with it. Don’t let it stop you.”

Video: Melissa

Contributor: Melissa; @MelllBe

Connection: Teen with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “I see my diabetes as a blessing now, and I’m glad I stopped ignoring it. I’m so happy [that] I’ve had the support of people online – I did not know there were so many type 1 diabetics everywhere. It’s amazing.”

Video: Logan

 

Contributor: Logan; 2012 ADA National Youth Advocate

Connection: Teen with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “When I was diagnosed, my family and I reached out into the community and talked to people who also had diabetes. Some of the best advice I can give is to get involved.”

Video: Wendy

Contributor: Wendy; candyheartsblog.com

Connection: Parent of a child with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “I remember sitting in the ICU, thinking that she would never be able to enjoy Halloween again. I want to assure you that if those are things your child enjoys, you will still do them.”

Video: Sarah

Contributor: Sarah; insulinpensink.blogspot.com

Connection: Teen with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “You’re not alone – if you’re here, you know that. Diabetes is one of those few diseases that you manage yourself, and it doesn’t seem as hard as it is. You have to remember that you live with it forever; you’re stuck with it, so you have to make the best of it. Just live your life like any normal person would. Don’t think that just because you have this chronic illness that you have to hold back – don’t let it stop you from doing anything you want to do.”

Video: Katie

Contributor: Katie; princessofpavement.wordpress.com

Connection: Adult with type 1 diabetes

Quotes: “This disease does not make the rules for me. I am 34 years old, I have run two marathons, five half-marathons… [...] and in two month’s time, I will be giving birth to my first child.”

“There were many years where I struggled, rebelled, hated everything to do with diabetes, and thought I was the only one out there dealing with these issues.”

Video: Kris

Contributor: Kris Freeman; elite U.S. cross-country skier, member of U.S. Ski Team and Olympic athlete; http://blogs.fasterskier.com/krisfreeman/

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: “Having this disease [...] does not have to get in the way of going after your dreams and aspirations.”

Blog: Simon

Contributor: Simon; www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/blogs/simon-from-the-70s

Connection: Person with type 1/LADA diabetes

Blog post: http://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/blogs/simon-from-the-70s/5909-journey-man

“This is how my ten days in hospital with life threatening infections and severe DKA played out. All but blind and with limited mobility, I came face to face not only with insulin dependent diabetes but the reality that those I had long counted friends had abandoned me. I was no ordinary person then and 18 months later I am still no ordinary person.

Still enduring a string of medical appointments and physical pain from complications I am making a go of things. Working consecutive sixty hour weeks I’m sending out a signal to those “friends” who left me lying in ward. It’s a shout out to all of those who said I’d never make it back and it was all my fault…..I can do this and I am doing this.”

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