Archive for the ‘Encouragement’ 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: Cherise

Contributor: Cherise; @SweeterCherise/@DiabetesSocMed

Connection: Adult with LADA/type 1 diabetes

Quote: “No matter what anyone says; no matter what a number may read: you are better than diabetes. Do not let diabetes steal your joy.”

“We Can Do This”: Vol. 2

(For those who live with anxiety, even talking or reading about anxiety can be a trigger, so please proceed with caution before watching the video below.)

You may remember the “We Can Do This” video from this past April, in which five people who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as adults shared their diagnosis stories, lessons learned and advice for others who may be going through the same thing.

Keeping in line with that format, Vol. 2 gives a glimpse into the life of people who live with both anxiety and diabetes (or care for someone with diabetes). People already living with diabetes are about 20 percent more likely than those without diabetes to have an anxiety condition at some point in their lifetime, and it’s a topic that many are uncomfortable talking about.

And because the You Can Do This Project centers around the idea of opening up about the tough stuff – that’s exactly what Kate, Alexis, and Hallie did.

To connect with others with diabetes and anxiety, check out the new community “Anxious You Anxious Me” on Facebook and Twitter. You may also email Alexis directly at Anxietyyouanxietyme@gmail.com.

Video: Bill

Contributor: Bill; www.1HappyDiabetic.com

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: ”The real challenge about diabetes is living with it; trying to put diabetes in your front view, not have it in your back view. Who wants to think about their diabetes all day long? Maybe a simple way to do it is to think about it at specific times, so we’re making our management more predictable.”

Video: Haley

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Contributor: Haley; www.naturallysweett.com

Connection: Teen with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “The hardest part is the emotional pain. Other people don’t know how it feels to be different. People make comments all the time. I feel labeled as ‘the diabetic girl’. I just want to be Haley.”

Video: Kerri

Contributor: Kerri; www.sixuntilme.com

Connection: Person with type 1 diabetes

Standout Quote: “We can do this; I know that we can. We can master this monster; we can draft up a plan. Or just fumble through days we’re unsure how to weather; the point is – we’re in this, and we’re in this together.”

Video: Nicole

Contributor: Nicole

Connection: Teen with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “Don’t feel like you have to [get involved] in stuff that is not your thing. I don’t want to get involved in exercise stuff; I want to do the [clinical] trials and research. [Don't be afraid to] speak up.”

Video: Joe Solowiejczyk

Contributor: Joe; Children With Diabetes

Connection: Adult with type 1 diabetes

Quote: “For me, the most difficult thing to come to terms with has been dealing with feelings of anger, rage, and frustration. I used to think that if I had those feelings, I was doing something wrong. It took me a long time and a lot of work to come to the realization and understanding that feelings are just a guide, and not a sign of whether I’m doing well or not.”

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: Jaime

Contributor: Jaime; http://jaime-dulceguerrero.com/

Connection: Child with type 1 diabetes

English translation: “Diabetes doesn’t matter. You can play sports, you can play tennis. Maybe it hurts when you get the insulin shot, but you need it to stay healthy. I’ve had diabetes for 7 years. I used multiple daily injections for three years (actually four), and now I have an insulin pump.”

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