February 21, 2010

Diabetes tends to put things in perspective.  It makes you reevaluate what is truly important in your life and everything suddenly takes on a new meaning.  In many ways for me it was a wake up call.  I am not invincible – go figure. 

For me, one of the most profound ah-ha moments I have had so far was at work.  I work in Human Resources, more specifically, in employee benefits.  As an employee, your health insurance benefits can be a very emotional thing.  This is especially true if you rely on them to help you take care of a medical condition. 

Prior to my diagnosis, I knew this, but did not truly understand it.  I was young, healthy, and only went to the doctor once a year.  It was easy to sit in a conference room, listen to the insurance company representatives present you with data about the health of your organization, and try to fix it. 

Women over 40 are not getting annual mammograms?  Easy, we will bring the mammogram mobile on-site next month.  Forty percent of the employee population has Diabetes?  Let’s create a wellness/fitness program and give employees an incentive to eat healthier and exercise.  Problem solved, right?

Now, when employees come in my office now with an insurance problem I actually understand their frustration where I did not before.  I know what it is like to stare at a bill in shock because you had no idea it was going to be so expensive; to drive from pharmacy to pharmacy in a panic because you are trying to track down a prescription you need filled right away.  I personally know that a job is so much more than an income, for some it means having the ability and the means to afford the life saving medicine you need.

Now, when I sit in that conference room I understand that it is not that simple.  There are so many more factors to consider.  We are not going to fix things.  The best we can hope for is to make our employees’ lives a little bit easier and empower them to make healthier choices.  I have learned that it is difficult to balance the needs of the company with the needs of the employee.

Hoping to build on this lesson, I am patiently awaiting my next ah-ha moment because I am sure there are many more in my future.  Stay tuned!