Something I saw on another blog and I liked the idea so thought I would do the same....
I wish people knew that diabetes hurts. Mentally and physically diabetes does so much harm, I'm covered in bruises from injections, my finger tips are full of holes and the burning pain from injecting insulin is sometimes enough to bring tears to my eyes. The mental exhaustion it brings is huge too. The never-ending battle to keep levels in range and just the way it can affect moods is so hard to deal with sometimes.
I wish people knew that diabetes comes in more than 2 types, there are in fact more than 10 types of diabetes. I have MODY 3 diabetes, no its not the same as type 1 or 2. No it isn't just another name for type 2 in young people. Nobody knows about it, no one is looking for a cure for it and no awareness raising happens for it. I don't fit into the main diabetes categories, but that doesn't make it any less hard to deal with. If anything, it sometimes makes it harder as not only am I battling the high and low sugar levels, but I have also had to battle to get treatment which works for me and I even had to fight for 2yrs just to get an accurate diagnosis.
I wish people knew that diabetes makes me cry. Yeah I might be 21 now, but I still have times where I've had a rough day with levels swinging all over the place or a high level that just wont come down, a nasty look from someone while I do my insulin or just sometimes just knowing that this is forever that means a good sob is needed.
I wish people knew that diabetes scares me. The fact a high sugar level could cause future complications or that a low sugar level while sleeping could kill me is so scary. I try to control my diabetes, but sometimes it is the one that controls me. It also scares me that any children I have in the future have a 50% chance of getting diabetes from me (thanks to that dominant gene which causes my diabetes). I wouldn't wish diabetes on my worst enemy, let alone my own child.
I wish people knew that diabetes cannot be cured. Not type 1, not type 2, not any type. No matter how many times I detox my body, eat cinnamon, sleep naked, stop watching TV or do any of the so called 'cures' my diabetes (and anyone else's diabetes) wont go away.
I wish people knew that diabetes isn't caused by eating sugar (or anything containing large amounts of sugar or fat). Most peoples responses to me saying that is: 'Type 2 diabetes is' but it isn't. Type 2, just like type 1, is a complex condition which has many contributing factors that lead to the condition developing. Diet might contribute to type 2 in some cases, but not all. Saying that you will get diabetes from eating too much sugar is just inaccurate and annoying.
I wish people knew that diabetes doesn't stop me from doing anything. Yeah I still eat cake, yes I still drive, eat junk food, go out drinking and do anything else that any other 21yr old would do. It just takes more planning and some extra equipment for me to take part.
I wish people knew that diabetes can cause complications, but that doesn't mean I want to hear about someone you know who went blind or lost one of their limbs. I'm 21 and I might get complications in the future, but right now I don't have any, and I don't need someone else reminding me how much diabetes could affect me.
I wish people knew that diabetes has also been my biggest blessing. Without it I wouldn't be as aware of my own health, I wouldn't have met such amazing people, I wouldn't be so compassionate to others with chronic heath conditions, I wouldn't be as confident in being able to stand up for what I need and what I believe in. Yeah I honestly hate diabetes, but it has opened up so many opportunities that without it, I would never have had.
And lastly...
I wish people knew that diabetes affects everyone differently. We are all different, and so is our diabetes. Don't judge what I do against what someone else does.
